“The Mainz Vacation Pass lets children and teens enjoy unforgettable summer vacations right on their own doorstep. It offers them the chance to discover new interests, make friends, and get to know their own city from new perspectives. It is particularly important to us that even those who do not go on vacation during the summer break have access to diverse and attractive recreational opportunities,” emphasizes Jana Schmöller, Head of the Department for Children and Youth, and continues: “I would like to thank our numerous partners, the clubs, organizations, volunteers, and staff of the Office for Youth and Family, whose dedication makes this extensive and varied program possible.”

Children and young people can use buses and trams in Mainz and Wiesbaden free of charge with the vacation pass and have free admission to Mainz’s outdoor pools and museums. In addition, there are around 400 events available with a total of approximately 6,300 spots. The program is complemented by around 30 discounts from various partners.

“For many years, the Holiday Card has been an excellent example of how mobility can promote social participation. We are pleased that our contribution enables children and young people to access the numerous offerings of the Holiday Card easily and safely,” says Christian Hoffmann of the Mainz Transport Authority.

Mainzer Verkehrsgesellschaft (MVG) provides discounted tickets for the vacation program, and the City of Mainz pays 10 euros per child to MVG. A sponsorship agreement worth 2,500 euros is in place with Sparkasse Rheinhessen. Behind the scenes, 60 city employees are contributing more than 6,000 hours of work to projects, day trips, creative courses, and programs at the children’s, youth, and cultural centers.

Holiday Card Program

The vacation program is available exclusively online. Those interested can find the complete program at: https://www.jugend-in-mainz.de/ferienkarte.html (opens in a new tab).

Children and teens can choose from a wide range of sports, hobby, and adventure activities. The program includes events on nature and environmental topics, activities with animals, vacation trips, visits and tours, as well as media offerings. The program is complemented by various parent-child events that provide shared experiences for the whole family.

New Partners and Exciting Activities in 2026

The range of activities offered by the Mainz Holiday Card continues to grow in 2026. With several new partners, additional events and regular offerings are being added.

• For the first time, the Evangelical Downtown Congregation is participating with the event “Night Under the Dome,” where children can enjoy a special overnight stay at Christuskirche followed by a shared breakfast.
• The Mainz Youth Fire Department offers exciting insights into the work of volunteer fire departments under the mottos “Experience the Fire Department Up Close!” and “Discover the Fire Department Through Play.”
• The Rheinhessen Sports Youth is hosting an XXL Games Day with numerous physical activities and hands-on opportunities.
• Music-loving children can get to know the “queen of instruments” and try it out for themselves at the “Organ License for Kids.”
• Also new to the lineup are the Musikscheune Mainz music school and the organ vacation week in Mainz.
• TSV Schott is expanding the program to include a flag football summer camp and a tackle football summer camp.

The Mainz Children’s, Youth, and Cultural Centers are also participating again with creative, athletic, and media education activities. The program includes film projects, art and printmaking workshops, digital comic and game development, skateboarding workshops, as well as cooking and baking activities. Examples include the projects “Movie Star,” “Painting in the Style of Henri Matisse,” “Digital Comic Drawing,” “PC Game Development for Beginners,” “Italian Cooking,” and “Cupcakes.”

The Family Jazz Picnics in Mainz’s Volkspark are also a special highlight in 2026. On three Sundays during the summer break, regional jazz bands, together with a varied children’s program, will create a summery atmosphere. The events will take place on July 12, July 26, and August 9, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day. Participation is free and does not require a vacation pass. This makes the program accessible to all families in Mainz and the surrounding area.

Booking the Events

After purchasing the vacation pass at the sales locations listed below, events can be booked online via the vacation portal. From June 15 to 23, 2026, vacation pass holders can select their preferred events. Places will be allocated through a fair lottery system. The drawing will take place on June 24 and 25, 2026. Participants will then be notified by email. Any remaining spots not allocated through the lottery can be booked directly afterward. 

The City of Mainz asks all families to book only those activities in which their children actually want to and are able to participate. In recent years, there have been repeated instances of a high number of no-shows despite registration. After the cancellation period has expired, booked events will be billed regardless of actual participation. This also ensures fairness toward children and young people who would otherwise not have been able to secure a spot.

Sales Start and Prices

Advance sales for the Mainz Holiday Card 2026 begin on Monday, June 15, 2026. The price is 28 euros, with a reduced rate of 14 euros. The reduced rate applies to MainzPass holders as well as recipients of basic income support (ALG II), housing assistance, child allowance, or benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act.

Sales locations

The Holiday Card is available at:

• all local administrative offices within the city of Mainz
• Mainz STORE / Tourist Info, Markt 17 (Domplatz)
• RMV Mobility Advisory Service at the Mainz Transportation Center, Am Schillerplatz 18
• Kiosk at IGS Bretzenheim, Hans-Böckler-Straße 4
• Stuppert Department Store in Ebersheim, Neugasse 16
• As well as at the Holiday Pass Office in the Haus der Jugend: Haus der Jugend, Mitternachtsgasse 8 (window sales): Important note: The discounted holiday pass is available for purchase only here. Payment is accepted in cash only. Proof of eligibility for the discount must be presented.