Mainzer Johannisnacht
Johannisnacht will take place from 19 to 22 June 2026. Information about the programme etc. will be available on this page in May.
Mainzer Johannisnacht
In 1968, the year of the 500th anniversary of Johannes Gutenberg's death, Karl Delorme, then head of the social affairs department and himself a trained printer, launched the folk festival. Since then, the memory of the great inventor Johannes Gutenberg has been celebrated.
Artists’ market and creativity
Johannisnacht stretches along the banks of the Rhine from the Kaisertor to the Weintor and from Fischtorplatz via Liebfrauenplatz to Schillerplatz. In addition to carousels and other rides, there is an artists' market along the banks of the Rhine. The market offers handmade products and a variety of creative ideas in the areas of jewellery, clothing, decoration and gifts: Artists’ market
Street artists
Look forward to an extra-large, colorful program featuring talented artists. “Flying Street Art” is making its debut in Mainz with its aerial walk acts. Madame Prrr delights as a tuba-playing cloud — and Simon Höneß with his rolling piano! Musical entertainment is provided by the bagpipers of Moguntia Pipes & Drums, the Sunshine Coconuts, and the street dance group “NOSOUNDEXPERIENCE” from Freiburg. The Zebra Stilt Theater impresses with its height and typographic costumes. Another artist taking up the Gutenberg theme is Jörn Kölling. With his theater bicycle, he performs a portrayal of Gutenberg’s life. And back again — the Companie les Contes d’Asphaldt with the fire-breathing dragon.
Medieval Gutenberg games
Since the Johannisnacht is dedicated to Johannes Gutenberg and his ingenious invention of the printing press, the festivity pays homage to medieval folklore. One of the most popular events is the so-called “Gautschen”, a medieval custom where people are forcefully “baptised” in a large barrel of water. Back during Gutenberg’s days, this custom was performed to symbolically cleanse young printers of the sins of their apprentice years. Today, this splashy ritual takes place in front of an audience on the Gutenberg stage with people from printing-related jobs being baptized. Beware – the water is ice-cold!
In addition, you can visit the book market on the Schillerplatz and Ballplatz squares, where you can browse through a large selection of antique books.
Sailing regatta and running event
Sports enthusiasts can watch the regatta on the Rhine or strap on their running shoes and take part in the Johannisnacht run, which crosses the river three times – hence its name Mainzer Drei-Brücken-Lauf powered by BioNTech.
A perfect mix of theatre, live music and cabaret
Apart from street art and medieval folklore, you can enjoy theatre performances, cabaret and fools on the many squares of the city or listen to lots of live music on the many stages in the city centre.
Family fun along the Rhine
The riverside around the Kurfürstliches Schloss offers an amusement park featuring a merry-go-around for children, a Ferries wheel and fast and fun rollercoasters for all ages. A variety of booths provides food and drinks, including first-class local wines. At night, the whole area is illuminated.
Drone light show
Johannisnacht celebrations will culminate in a drone light show. The show will take place over the Rhine on Monday evening and is due to start at around 10.30 pm. The Köln-Düsseldorfer shipping company is offering a boat tour for this event.
Schedule and opening hours
Which bands are performing at the Johannisnacht in Mainz, and what are the highlights you shouldn’t miss? The full programme for the four days of summer fun in Mainz will be available as a PDF download in May, and will also be posted below in a day-by-day overview as it becomes available (in German).
Directions and diversion of traffic
For the Mainz Johannisnacht from 19 to 22 June 2026, Mainzer Mobilität is increasing its transport services and offering a special low-cost ticket (from Friday to Monday).
- Please note that Ludwigsstraße will be closed from Wednesday, 17.06.2026, 4 a.m. to Wednesday 24.06.2026, 4 a.m. for the construction and dismantling of the event. Bus routes will be diverted.
Detailed information can be found here www.mainzer-mobilitaet.de/johannisnacht (starting in mid-June) or at the RMV mobility advice center (Bahnhofplatz 6A, 55116 Mainz, 24/7 hotline +49 6131 12-7777.
When travelling with regional trains and busses emanating from Rheinhessen please consult the schedules on the RNN-Website: www.rnn.info
Parking facilities
If you arrive by car, please use the nearby parking lots and parking garages located at:
- Rheinufer
- Rheingoldhalle/Rathaus
- Brand
- Löhrstraße
Other parking garages in the city center:
- Kronberger Hof
- Theater
- Römerpassage
- Schillerplatz
- Kaufhof
- Weißliliengasse
Near the city center:
- Römisches Theater
- Fort Malakoff Park
- CineStar
Near the train station:
- CityPort
- Taubertsberg
- Bonifatius Türme
Park@Night
In the car parks of Parken in Mainz GmbH (PMG), the low night-time rate applies from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.: 5 euros.
Parking ticket as bus ticket (only in PMG parking garages)
Park your car safely and travel on by bus and tram! In the parking garages of Parken in Mainz GmbH (PMG), the parking ticket is valid as a ticket for up to four accompanying persons for 24 hours from the time of purchase!
