Setup is already underway for four days of summer fun: From June 19 to 22, 2026, Mainz will once again celebrate, dance, and stroll its way into summer in honor of Johannes Gutenberg.

The festival will open on Friday, June 19, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. At the event, Mayor Nino Haase, the newly appointed festival director Ludwig Holle, and Gautschmaster Jürgen Schunk will come together for a joint discussion and offer fascinating insights into the tradition, organization, and significance of the festival for Mainz. Visitors can look forward to an entertaining discussion featuring personal perspectives and behind-the-scenes glimpses, moderated by Philipp Engelhardt and Thalia Nürnberger. 

Full details on the program for all ages and the highlights for visitors are available at mainzer-johannisnacht.de (opens in a new tab) and in the program flyer.

“After the anniversary is before the anniversary”: The Johannis Antiquarian Book Market turns 40! 

After all of Mainz jubilantly celebrated Johannes Gutenberg’s 625th birthday last year, the Johannis Antiquarian Book Market is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Since 1986, the book market has been one of the quiet highlights of Johannisnacht. 

Antiquarian books, original prints, printed materials of all kinds, records, postcards, children’s books, and literature about Mainz all tell their own stories here. The Tröger Antiquarian Bookshop from Lörrach and the Wilder Antiquarian Bookshop from Hanover, for example, are bringing an impressive treasure trove of old and bibliophile works. At the market’s largest booth, the ABC Mail-Order Antiquarian Bookstore also presents a diverse selection. Anyone who appreciates true rarities should definitely stop by collector Eugen Mann’s booth: at his small but exquisite stand, valuable first editions are waiting to be discovered.

Johannisnacht Stage: The International Gutenberg Society Celebrates Its Anniversary, and the Schlager Party Makes a Comeback 

This year, the Johannisnacht Stage is the venue for major events, including the anniversary celebration of the International Gutenberg Society. This year, the society kicks off the stage program with a poetry slam—“Gutenberg for Democracy”—thereby not only celebrating tradition but also demonstrating that Gutenberg has firmly arrived in the 21st century. On Friday, June 19, at 7:00 p.m., young wordsmiths will bring their thoughts to the stage. The event will be hosted by the poetry slam experts “Wilde Worte.” 

In addition to listening, guests are also welcome to dance. For the first time, guests can once again dance the night away to high-energy DJ sets on Saturday evening starting at 10:30 p.m. and at a legendary Schlager party on Sunday evening starting at 8:00 p.m. On Monday evening, the guaranteed mood-lifters “Deine Jungs” and, following them, “Jammin’ Cool” with their iconic Mainz party culture will provide the grand finale.

Gutenberg, History, and Traditions 

One thing is certain: Gutenberg is a staple of Mainz’s Johannisnacht. Visitors can once again witness the printer’s baptism, known as the “Gautschen.” This old guild custom symbolically washes away the sins of the apprenticeship years and the lead dust—in a large wooden barrel filled with water. These days, media designers in particular are baptized on stage in a cheerful and lively manner. Another historical element is “Preisquadräteln,” a medieval dice game of the printers’ guild. It traditionally takes place on the Gutenberg Stage on Saturday afternoon before the Gautschen. 

Children’s Program, Comedy, and Readings on the Cabaret Stage 

Numerous highlights also await visitors on the Ballplatz: Nikita Miller, who now fills large venues, returns once more to the Cabaret Stage—because the special atmosphere there is simply unbeatable. Whether goofing around with Clown Filou or singing along at the children’s concert (both Saturday and Sunday at noon)—even the youngest guests are in wonderful hands here. For literature and history enthusiasts, Jakob Matthiessen’s reading from his historical Mainz novel *Tod oder Taufe – Die Kreuzfahrer am Rhein* (Death or Baptism—The Crusaders on the Rhine), which transports readers to the heyday of Mainz as a SchUM city, is a must-see on Sunday morning.

Riffs and Energy on the Rockland Gutenberg Stage

Liebfrauenplatz will once again be rocked by Rockland Radio this year: On the Gutenberg Stage, the Mainz-based radio station will bring the full spectrum of rock—from classic to modern—right into the city center with rich guitar riffs and rousing beats. 

Kicking things off on Friday is “The Simple Man” with hard rock covers of well-known classics from the ’70s to today. Once the crowd is warmed up, they can headbang to the authentic Metallica sounds of “Metakilla.” The metal covers continue on Saturday with the “Groundville Bastards,” before things take an alternative-funk turn with “The Red Hot” and their Red Hot Chili Peppers tribute show. If you don’t want to limit yourself to just rock and metal hits, “LAUDER!” on Sunday is the place for you, because here they’ll be rocking out not only to rock classics but also to well-known pop and soul songs. For the finale on Monday, the high-energy Palatinate band “Grand Malör” will keep the mood upbeat and the atmosphere lively with party hits.

Mainz Winemakers: Culinary Delights Meet Musical Enjoyment 

The Mainz winemakers also offer a wide range of musical styles on their stage in the Mainz Wine Village on the market square. On Friday evening, singer-songwriter Pasi der Pogo will kick things off with an atmospheric performance. On Saturday, Steven McGowan will thrill the crowd with a mix of folk, rock, and pop, and on Sunday evening, the program features rousing songs from “Laura Müller singt,” while in the morning, the Dolgesheim Traditional Band will perform a lively mix of pop hits, brass band music, and big band sounds. To wrap things up, things will get rocking here too: with covers of well-known rock hits by “Gear Down” on Monday evening. You can combine the musical enjoyment with a culinary touch, for example in the two Mainz wine villages at the market and the Leichhof, where you can sample local wines from ten Mainz wineries. 

Along the festival route—from Schillerplatz through the “Lu,” past Fischtorplatz to the banks of the Rhine and on to the Kaisertor—you can feast to your heart’s content on everything from sweet to savory, ranging from classics like sausage, spit-roasted meat, and fries to Dinnele, langos, and “Grüne Küche” (deep-fried vegetables with sauces) to crêpes and churros, complemented by various beverage and candy stands.

“Kulinarik am Rhein” Stage Offers Exclusive Culinary Moments Mainz’s
“Kulinarik am Rheinufer,” organized and expertly executed by the Favorite Parkhotel and Gaul’s Catering, offers a diverse selection at a total of 19 stands this year as well—ranging from exclusive gourmet cuisine to classic, uncomplicated street food for every taste. Internationally renowned DJs will also be performing here. DJs from St. Tropez have been announced, joined by saxophonists and singers.

Street art in the squares and alleys of Mainz

Numerous street performers who appear unexpectedly will leave you in awe. “Flying Street Art” is a special new addition that will delight the Mainz audience with mobile acrobatics and music. Of course, visitors can also look forward to tried-and-true favorites: Mademoiselle Prrrr will once again float through the city as a tuba-playing cloud, and Simon Höneß will roll through the streets of Mainz with his piano.

Musical entertainment will be provided by the bagpipers of “Moguntia Pipes & Drums” and the “Sunshine Coconuts” with their Caribbean flair. Also returning is audience favorite “No-SoundExperience,” a street dance group from Freiburg. Gutenberg is always present as well: Jörn Kölling is out and about on his theater bike, telling stories about the life of Mainz’s famous son. The art of printing is also showcased visually through the Zebra Stilt Theater with its themed costumes.

The Johannis Antiquarian Book Market Invites You to Browse

From Schillerplatz to Ballplatz, the city center transforms into a book-filled landscape perfect for strolling from Saturday through Monday. The Johannis Book Market invites you to forget the daily grind for a moment and surrender to the magic of the printed word. Amid tall stacks of books, carefully preserved rarities, and lovingly presented finds, a new discovery awaits behind every cover. The Johannis Book Market is open on Saturday, June 20, from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., on Sunday, June 21, from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and on Monday, June 22, from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Creative Ideas to Browse and Try Yourself

The Artists’ Market, the popular “Creative Trail” along the banks of the Rhine in Mainz, will once again be represented this year with additional booths on Fischtorplatz (as an alternative location due to construction at City Hall). In the evening hours, a string of lights connects the individual sections of the Artists’ Market and serves as a guide. Around 140 artists, artisans, and vendors offer handmade products and a wide variety of creative ideas in the areas of jewelry, clothing, home decor, and gifts, inviting visitors to browse and shop. Art lovers and enthusiasts are guaranteed to find this year’s perfect souvenir here!

The Maria Ward schoolyard is also a hub of originality and creativity. Here, children can get creative—this year exclusively on Sunday, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.—and, of course, it’s free! Through printing, paper-making, crafts, and much more, the children will learn about Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press in a playful way. 

Dive into the Fun

In the opposite direction, adrenaline junkies and thrill-seekers who can’t get enough of higher, faster, and further thrills will find exactly what they’re looking for: The fairgrounds, featuring classic rides and new attractions, as well as market and food stalls, stretch from the Kaisertor to the Theodor-Heuss-Brücke and from Fischtorplatz across Liebfrauenplatz and Ludwigstraße to Schillerplatz. 

This year’s highlights include the dizzying new ride “Space X,” a propeller 45 meters high, and the “Always in a Good Mood” carousel, Octopussy. There’s plenty for children and families, too: at Gutenbergplatz, the four-story “Happy Family” Fun House offers fun and chaos for young and old alike, as does the three-story “Dschungelcamp” obstacle course at the Theodor-Heuss-Brücke. And no one will have to miss out on the classic rides, such as the Ferris wheel, a family roller coaster, bumper cars, or the chain carousel.

By the numbers:

13 rides and attractions—including 4 children’s rides, 2 walking attractions, 1 family roller coaster, 1 Ferris wheel, 1 bumper car ride, 1 chain carousel, and 3 other rides—provide an adrenaline rush.

165 stalls, including

• 106 food and beverage stands, including 20 snack stands (sausage, steak, fries), 38 beverage stands, 35 specialty snack stands (pizza, langos, potato pancakes, vegetarian, flambéed salmon, fish), 12 crêpe stands
• 20 candy stands
• 20 game stalls
• 6 sales stands

are available for visitors. 

Top athletic performances on land, in water, and in the sky 

Sports fans will also get their money’s worth, whether they’re watching or getting active themselves. Anyone keeping an eye on the banks of the Rhine near Fischtorplatz on Saturday afternoon can witness the arrival of the sailing regatta live. 

The Mainz Three Bridges Run, powered by BioNTech, starts on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. at the Rheingoldhalle. The run is once again a crowd favorite this year—and was already fully booked within just a few days.

Expanded drone light show for the finale – Mayor Haase: “Mainz can be eco-friendly, animal-friendly—and spectacular!”

On Monday evening, the festival will conclude with another drone light show over the Rhine: this time twice as large, with expanded musical accompaniment, bright and high in the sky, so that spectators in the festival area from the Kaisertor to the Theodor-Heuss-Brücke will have a great view. Theme-wise, in honor of the 2026 World Cup, the show will have a sports-themed focus. The show begins at 10:30 p.m.

Mainz’s Johannisnacht takes place throughout downtown Mainz. Visitors can reach this major festival safely and conveniently via public transportation. Specific transportation information will be provided shortly before the event.

Program Brochure

The program is available at the mainz STORE, Stadthauses, local government offices, museums, and other public locations. A PDF version of the program can be downloaded at www.mainzer-johannisnacht.de (opens in a new tab)