Mainzer Fastnacht — Kampagnebeginn 11.11.
Festive start on Schillerplatz with the "Närrisches Grundgesetz", guard concerts, and up to 9,000 visitors at 11:11 AM
About Mainz 11.11. Kampagne 2027
Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Mainz 11.11. Kampagne 2027 al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
November 11th is sacred in Mainz. Punctually at 11:11 AM, the Fastnacht campaign 2026/2027 begins with the opening at Schillerplatz — the fifth season, which will culminate in the Mainz Rose Monday parade 2027. Alongside Cologne and Düsseldorf, Mainz Fastnacht is the third major Rhenish carnival stronghold and, with almost 200 years of institutionalized tradition (first session in 1837), one of Germany's most influential carnival cultures.
The venue is Schillerplatz with its central Fastnachtsbrunnen — Germany's largest and most famous fountain dedicated to Mainz Fastnacht, designed in 1967 by Blasius Spreng with over 200 bronze figures depicting the entire carnival cast. The square is the symbolic center of Mainz Fastnacht.
The organizer is the Mainzer Carneval-Verein (MCV) e.V., the oldest and largest carnival club in the city, founded in 1838. The MCV moderates the program, which follows a fixed schedule: Opening precisely at 11:11 AM by the MCV President, reading of the "Närrisches Grundgesetz", enthronement of the new Mainz "Tonangeber" for the season, guard concerts by various Mainz carnival clubs, performances by Mainz carnival bards — traditionally led by artists such as Thomas Neger, Oliver Mager, and the Mainzer Hofsänger.
The crowd is enormous: up to 9,000 visitors throng Schillerplatz and the adjacent streets. A ticket lottery regulates access to the main performance area in front of the stage — entry to the lottery costs around 9 Euros, donated to Mainz social projects. The remaining area around the square is freely accessible, though crowded.
After the official program, the Mainz city center party begins in the carnival-friendly pubs around Schillerplatz, Markt, and Liebfrauenplatz. The Mainzer Hofsänger traditionally move through the venues, the "Mainzer Närrisches Grundgesetz" becomes the hit of the day, and the campaign has thus reached its first climax.
Anyone living in Mainz or visiting the city on November 11th cannot miss the opening — it is the day for Mainz carnival-goers.
Mainz 11.11. Kampagne 2027 — edition 2026
The exact program for 2026 will be published by the Mainzer Carneval-Verein in the week before November 11th. The structure follows the proven key points of previous years: setup from early morning at Schillerplatz, the square fills up from 10 AM, opening precisely at 11:11 AM by the MCV President with the traditional Mainz Helau cheer, followed by the reading of the "Närrisches Grundgesetz" and the enthronement of the "Tonangeber", guard concerts, and show blocks by the Mainz carnival clubs, performances by Thomas Neger, Oliver Mager, and the Mainzer Hofsänger, program ends around 1:11 PM and transitions into the party in the city center pubs.
Programme Mainz 11.11. Kampagne 2027 2026
Program Structure November 11, 2026
Morning — Setup and Arrival
- From 9 AM: Stage setup and arrival of carnival-goers
- From 10 AM: Square is full, first atmosphere
11:11 AM — Official Start
- Opening by the President of the Mainzer Carneval-Verein
- Traditional Helau cheer
- Reading of the "Närrisches Grundgesetz"
11:30 AM to 1:11 PM — Main Program
- Enthronement of the Mainz "Tonangeber" for the 2026/2027 season
- Guard concerts by Mainz carnival clubs
- Performance by Thomas Neger
- Performance by Oliver Mager
- Performance by Mainzer Hofsänger
- Further show blocks
From 1:11 PM — Transition to Party
- End of the official program
- Party in Mainz city center pubs around Schillerplatz, Markt, and Liebfrauenplatz
- Performances by Mainzer Hofsänger in the venues
Organizers and Participants
- Mainzer Carneval-Verein (MCV) e.V. as the main organizer
- Mainz carnival clubs with their guards
- Mainz "Tonangeber"
- Mainz carnival bards
Highlights Mainz 11.11. Kampagne 2027 2026
- Largest 11.11. opening in Southern Germany
- Up to 9,000 visitors
- "Närrisches Grundgesetz" at the Fastnachtsbrunnen
- Enthronement of the new "Tonangeber"
- Thomas Neger, Oliver Mager, Mainzer Hofsänger
- After-party in the city center
Prices Mainz 11.11. Kampagne 2027 2026
Practical information — Mainz 11.11. Kampagne 2027
Location and Travel
Schillerplatz, Mainz City Center, 55116 Mainz. 10 minutes on foot from the main train station or by tram. The city center is closed to traffic on November 11th — public transport or walking is mandatory.
Date 2026
Wednesday, November 11, 2026, program starts at 11:11 AM. The opening event lasts about 2 hours, followed by a party in Mainz pubs until late into the night.
Ticket Lottery
Access to the performance area in front of the stage via ticket lottery (approx. 9 Euros). Sale and drawing via mainzer-fastnacht.de and MCV's advance booking offices. Proceeds for Mainz social projects.
Free Area
The majority of Schillerplatz and the adjacent streets are freely accessible — view of the stage and broadcast via large loudspeakers.
Note
High visitor numbers — parents with small children are not recommended for the performance area. Arriving early from 9 AM is recommended for a good viewing position.
After Party
After the official program, party in Mainz city center pubs around Schillerplatz, Markt, and Liebfrauenplatz.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
Max. 5 photos, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Spotted an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Each suggestion is reviewed by our team before being published.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Mainz 11.11. Kampagne 2027 al mejor precio.
Sponsored link