A close-up of a book page from a history textbook. The page is about the invention of the printing press. (Von Lakkhana - Adobe Stock)

Johannisnacht Festival, Mainz | June 20-23, 2025

Less than a half-hour drive from Wiesbaden, St. John’s Night is one of Mainz’s largest festivals. The festival celebrates the memory of Johannes Gutenberg, inventor of the Gutenberg printing press. There will be an antiquarian book market on Schillerplatz and Ballplatz. An artists’ market starts from the Kurfürstenbrunnen to Fischtorplatz with arts and crafts stalls filled with handmade items.

In front of the Gutenberg Museum, guests can create their own colorful works of art. Giant bubbles float through streets as street artists appear and perform with puppets, bagpipes, on stilts and more. In traditional festival fashion, there will be rides, food and drink stands as well as a Ferris wheel. The festival concludes on Monday evening with a fireworks display over the Rhine River.