Finther Kerb

Mainz-Finthen is located on the western outskirts on the high plateau between Mainz city center and the Rhenish-Hessian hilly landscape. Until its incorporation into Mainz in 1969, it was an independent municipality, and Finthen maintains a very distinct identity to this day with active club life, its own festivals, and strong self-confidence as a highland district.

The Finther Kerb is the central manifestation of this identity. The organizer is the Finther Kerbeverein e.V., which organizes the Kerb in close cooperation with the other Finthen clubs: carnival societies, sports clubs, fire department, churches, schools, and local gastronomy. The traditional date is the second weekend of September.

The program structure follows the classic Rhenish-Hessian Kerb tradition. Saturday, the festival begins in the afternoon from 4 PM — the typical Kerb opening with a beer tapping, welcome by the Kerbeverein board, and the first stage concert. Sunday, activities start at 10 AM with an ecumenical service, morning pint (Frühschoppen), and all-day festival operation until late in the evening. Monday starts at 11 AM — the Kerb tradition knows Monday as a full festival day with club performances, sports competitions, and culinary highlights. Tuesday, the festival concludes in the afternoon from 2 PM with the traditional Kerb closing.

On the festival grounds, you'll find the typical components of a Rhenish-Hessian Kerb: beer stands, shooting galleries, carousels, and small amusement rides, club stands offering bratwurst, fries, Spundekäs (cheese dip), tarte flambée, and sweets, as well as a stage with live music. The musical programming includes regional bands, carnival music, dialect programs, and occasionally a DJ set.

The Finther Kerb is accessible, free to enter, and equally interesting for families, seniors, and the young at heart. Anyone who wants to experience the Mainz district of Finthen in its original identity should come this weekend.