20th Mainzer Oktoberfest

The Mainzer Oktoberfest began in 2007 as a bold import of an originally Bavarian tradition into Mainz's festival culture. What was initially viewed with skepticism — a city with over a thousand years of wine-making and one of Germany's largest Carnival celebrations now celebrating beer in Maßkrüge — quickly developed into a fixed date in the Mainz autumn and grew to become by far the largest Oktoberfest in Rhineland-Palatinate.

The 20th edition from October 8th to 25th, 2026, marks the anniversary. In an oversized festival tent at the Messepark Mainz-Hechtsheim, the Wiesn tradition will be celebrated over three weekends — from Thursday to Sunday: original festival beer served from Maßkrüge, Schweinshaxn, Hendl, Brez'n (pretzels), Käsespätzle (cheese noodles), and sweet treats from the Wiesn menu; on stage, party bands and brass bands combining the sing-along and dancing repertoire of Munich's festival tent classics with current hits.

The Mainz touch comes in the details: instead of the Bavarian blue and white diamond pattern, red and white flags fly; the festival tent tickets for the opening and ladies' nights are designed in the Mainz tradition; local breweries are partners, and Mainz Carnival clubs are regularly represented with performances. The resulting mix has been the formula for success for two decades: Wiesn atmosphere with Mainz DNA.

The event days are Thursday to Sunday (and selected special dates). Thursdays are designated as Ladies' and Traditional Costume Nights with reduced prices for ladies in costume; Friday and Saturday are the party highlights, with loud atmosphere late into the night; Sunday is used as Family Day and Frühschoppen (morning pint) Sunday with a brunch atmosphere.

Reservations for the main evenings fill up quickly and are recommended: seating is limited, and standing room fills up fast. The festival tent offers several thousand seats depending on the seating arrangement. Travel by bus or park-and-ride is organized by Mainzer Mobilität, as parking spaces at the Messepark are quickly occupied.