Fall is just around the corner, and to kick off the season, residents can look forward to the next Sunday shopping event in downtown Mainz. It will take place on September 20, 2026, once again as part of the “Heimat shoppen” campaign. Between 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., visitors will have the opportunity to stroll through the shops, do some shopping, and visit the cafés, wine bars, and restaurants. 

The “Heimat shoppen” initiative is a campaign launched and supported by the Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK) that highlights the importance of local commerce for vibrant downtown areas. Shopping locally not only means shorter distances and personalized advice, but also strengthens the regional economy and helps ensure that the downtown area remains a vibrant gathering place. Across the country, stores are participating with special promotions to highlight the diversity of local shopping.

Fabric Market and Wine Autumn with fine wines from Southern Europe 

The Sunday shopping day on September 20, 2026, will feature many attractions. The popular “Fabric Market” will take place once again. This year, the numerous creatively decorated booths will be set up on the market square in the shadow of the cathedral. Between 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., fabric enthusiasts can find inspiration and shop to their heart’s content. Admission to the “Fabric Market” is free.

In addition, there will be activities for children throughout the city center, and visitors can feast to their heart’s content at the many food stands. Visitors can also take part in free city tours aboard a historic bus starting at 1:30 p.m. These tours depart from the “Alte Universität” and last about 30 minutes. The last tour departs at 5:30 p.m.  And the popular “Mainz-trifft-sich-Ticket” from Mainzer Mobilität—which allows up to 5 people to use public transportation all day for 5.20 euros—will be available again, as will flat-rate parking for 5 euros in PMG parking garages. 

You can also combine your Sunday in the city center with a visit to the “WeinHerbst” at Schillerplatz. There, from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., guests can enjoy wines from the Rhineland-Palatinate wine regions, Spain, and Portugal, as well as other delicacies.   

Matz: “Shopping Strengthens the Downtown Area Through Personalized Advice”

Manuela Matz, Head of the Economic Affairs Department, is looking forward to the Sunday shopping event and the many attractions throughout the city center. “The Sunday shopping event as part of ‘Heimat shoppen’ is a wonderful opportunity to experience the diversity of Mainz’s city center. Retail, market activities, dining, and special offers come together to create a varied Sunday for the whole family. At the same time, we’re sending an important message in support of brick-and-mortar retail and a vibrant downtown.” 

For Matz, “Heimat shoppen” is thus far more than just an extra shopping day: “Anyone who shops in Mainz strengthens our downtown and highlights its advantages—namely, personal interactions, individualized advice, and the experience of being out and about together.” She once again extends special thanks to the Mainz Advertising Association and Mainz City Management (MCM) for the organization and for their excellent cooperation, as well as to the Chamber of Industry and Commerce for the “Heimat shoppen” campaign.

“Shopping locally strengthens businesses and ensures diversity”

“Downtown areas are not just places to shop, but important economic hubs and spaces for interaction. With ‘Heimat shoppen,’ the Chambers of Industry and Commerce across Germany are highlighting the importance of retail, hospitality, and services for attractive city centers, jobs, and regional economic growth,” emphasizes Karina Szwede, CEO of the Rheinhessen Chamber of Industry and Commerce. The Rheinhessen Chamber of Industry and Commerce has been supporting the campaign for many years: It provides materials, supports local promotion, and, together with retailers and partners, sends a clear message in favor of shopping in the city center. 

In Mainz, too, this message will be tangible during the campaign weekend—with Sunday shopping, the fabric market, and many other offerings. “Every printed bag and every promotion serves as a reminder: When you shop locally, you strengthen businesses, preserve diversity, and help keep our downtown areas vibrant. That is precisely the essence of ‘Heimat shoppen,’” says Szwede.

Klima: “A shopping destination, an experience, and a meeting place all at once” 

City Manager Sandra Klima sees the combination of these many offerings as a major advantage: “On September 20, we’re creating plenty of good reasons to come to the city center. The fabric market appeals to a unique audience, the Sunday shopping day invites people to stroll and shop, and the historic city tour offers yet another, completely different perspective on Mainz. This mix is what makes the day special. An attractive city center thrives on the convergence of diverse offerings. That’s exactly what we want to show: Mainz is a shopping destination, an experience hub, and a meeting place all at once.” 

Annette Plachetka, chairwoman of the Mainz Merchants’ Association, also extends an invitation to visit: “The Sunday shopping day is an important opportunity for retailers to showcase their stores and offerings and to engage with customers. At the same time, we want to show that a visit to downtown Mainz can be so much more than just shopping. We’re therefore very much looking forward to a varied Sunday on September 20, 2026, and we welcome every guest,” said Plachetka.