Herbstfest am Schillerplatz Mainz 2026

The Mainz event calendar is filled with wine festivals throughout the year, and in autumn, when the grape harvest in Rheinhessen is complete and the new vintages are moving into the cellars, wine festival culture reaches its seasonal peak. The Herbstfest am Schillerplatz has established itself in recent years as one of the established autumn wine formats in Mainz. It utilizes Schillerplatz, one of the most beautiful squares in the city: historic burgher houses, the Fastnachtsbrunnen (Carnival Fountain) in the center, and a central location between the main train station, the old town, and the city center.

The organizer is Wein & Events Jürgen Metschurat, a local organizer with many years of experience in organizing wine and city festivals. The concept is classic: several wine stands present wines from Rheinhessen and the neighboring Nahe region, complemented by an international touch with wines from Spain (Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Albariño) and Portugal (Douro, Vinho Verde). This international expansion distinguishes the format from purely Rheinhessen wine festivals and offers opportunities for comparison between German and Mediterranean styles.

Culinary-wise, the festival relies on proven classics. Henkes Grill, a well-known Mainz catering partner, operates a central grill stand with Bratwurst, steak, and Spießbraten — the latter being a traditional German wine festival dish, cooked in large pieces on a spit and served in thin slices. In addition, pizza stands and a Greek stand offering Gyros, Souvlaki, and Tzatziki provide the international complement. Sweets, pretzels, and non-alcoholic alternatives complete the offering.

The musical concept is divided between the evenings. DJ Soundmaster, one of Mainz's well-known local DJs, plays on Friday evening in the after-work format (mainstream hits from the 80s, 90s, 2000s, and current music for a mixed after-work audience) and on Saturday evening in the 40+ party format (clear focus on classics from the 70s, 80s, and 90s for the older dancing crowd). Thursday and Sunday are quieter, with background music and a relaxed atmosphere. For the Mainz city public, the Herbstfest am Schillerplatz is a popular meeting point in October — a last open-air wine festival before the winter break, with a sweater-instead-of-t-shirt atmosphere, warm punch in the late evening hours, and the unmistakable Mainz wine culture in a central location.