50 years of Mainz St. John's Night - and the city is in the mood to celebrate from 22 to 25 June 2018! The state capital has been inviting visitors to this festival in honour of its greatest son, Johannes Gutenberg, since 1968. With many activities during Johannisnacht, the city keeps alive the memory of the inventor of printing with movable type, whose death anniversary in 2018 was the 550th.
Rheinvergnügen, artist and book market, street performers, colorful live music and cabaret program provide entertainment, Mainzer Weindörfer, the Culinarium and many street food stands for culinary enjoyment - there is something for everyone!
High-flying thrills and nostalgia - Rheinvergnügen attracts visitors from 22 to 25 June 2018 with attractive rides
"For the first time on the anniversary Johannisnacht, we were able to attract the Power Tower for the Rheinvergnügen," says a delighted Thomas Krebs, Market Master of the state capital Mainz and responsible for the "Rheinvergnügen" during the big folk festival. "Anyone looking for thrills and entertainment will be thrilled again this year. The mix of classics and new rides is what makes our 'Rheinvergnügen' so appealing."
At Fischtorplatz there is another novelty: for the first time, the nostalgic, hand-operated carousel KARRUZIK is located here, taking passengers back to days gone by: Like a ferryman, the operator takes the audience in circles. KARRUZIK accompanies its passengers on this round trip with an original "gyro music", played live by the band in the middle of the carousel.
Of course, Volksfest fans don't have to do without classics like bumper cars or break-dancers this year either. On the banks of the Rhine and on Gutenbergplatz, various children's carousels will make the hearts of the little ones beat faster.
Apropos higher: An alternative for all those who are looking for a more romantic view is the Ferris wheel "Juwel", which offers the best view over the entire festival area with its 45 meters and comfortable speed.
Opening hours Rheinvergnügen
- Friday, 22 June 2018, 12.00 to 2.00
- Saturday, 23. June 2018, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
- Sunday, June 24, 2018, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
- Monday, June 25, 2018, 11.00 a.m. to midnight
Other highlights:
For gaming fans, on Saturday (23. June 2018), at 2 p.m. at the Liebfrauenplatz (SWR Gutenbergbühne) a must: the Preisquadräteln is a dice game of the letterpress printers, with so-called Cicerogevierten, which are elongated lead sticks. Every visitor, even larger groups, can spontaneously take part in the Preisquadräteln. There are attractive cash prizes to be won! This year the rules will be explained by the Gautschmeister Harro Neuhardt himself, they are not difficult. Just be on time at the Liebfrauenplatz! The Mainzer Ritter Gilde e. V., which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, will provide for attention and the right sounds during the prize quadräteln, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year.
Many other events celebrate Johannes Gutenberg in his anniversary year: from the Gautschen, the traditional baptism of book printers, to the large Johannis Book Market (23 to 25 June 2018), to many creative and printing activities in the festival area and in the Gutenberg Museum with its Print Shop and the ceremonial awarding of the Gutenberg Prize (Saturday, 23. June 2018, 12.30 p.m. at the Gutenberg Museum) to the Argentine-born writer, literary lecturer, translator and editor Alberto Manguel.
Street art in all alleys
And historical street art also dominates the alleys and squares: things are leisurely on Fischtorplatz. The nostalgic carousel KARRUZIK is hand-operated and in the middle a live band plays original circle music! The little vertigo takes you back to days gone by, there is no place for hectic and speed here. And thus inspires kids, families and in the evening hours adults as well.
Medieval minstrelsy in all its multicultural facets is celebrated by another group of street artists: Donner Trummel attract attention with well-known songs of the European Middle Ages and even oriental pieces up to their own compositions on their self-made instruments.
Somewhat different sounds in the direction of southern climes resound from the colorful steel drums of the Sunshine Coconuts. In their colourful shirts they exude pure Caribbean flair in Mainz! Rum & Coca Cola, Lambada or Brasil are just some of the hits with which they will inspire Europe and in June also again the capital of Rhineland-Palatinate.
Excitement is also to be expected when Two and a Box perform: unplugged they appear with their guitar music as if from nowhere, up close, at the tables. And they invite you to sing along, swing and rock' n' roll'n!
And music once again! Moguntia Pipes & Drums parade through Mainz with their bagpipes and Scottish drums. Always following the ears - and the optics: Because of course the walking act appears in the traditional "Highland Dress" with kilt.
For the first time on the Mainz parquet of street art Coolumbus will juggle himself into the hearts of the audience. With yoga artistry and balance tricks, the easy-going explorer will captivate spectators young and old.
Speaking of captivating - they were a hit last year, and they'll be in Mainz again in 2018: the Belgian puppeteers from Les Contes d'Asphalt with their dragon Ottfried, who can wave in a friendly manner but also breathe fire imposingly, and their dancing skeleton Odil.
