The city of Mainz knows how to throw a street party, and its winter carnival celebrations are legendary. Mainz’s biggest summer shebang is its Johannisnacht celebrations, which always take place when the days are at their longest, close to the summer solstice.

This year’s celebrations, June 22-25, mark two milestone dates: the 50th anniversary of festivities commemorating the death of the city’s famous son Johannes Gutenberg, and the 550th anniversary of the death of this man whose invention, the movable type printing press, forever changed the shape of this world.

Johannisnacht offers all the usual Volksfest high points of fairground attractions, treats from the grill, and lots of beer and wine. Longstanding traditional side activities give the event its particular charm.

The “Gautschen” is a 16th-century tradition in which printers’ apprentices were “baptized” in a barrel of water to both wash away the lead dust of their trade and the sins they committed during their studies. At 4 p.m. Saturday, June 23, the tradition is carried out on a stage on the Liebfrauenplatz when officials dressed in historical costume welcome today’s media studies students into the publishing world.

On all four days of the fest, the promenade alongside the Rhine becomes a gallery for the handiwork of artists and craftsmen. Performers including a fire-breathing dragon, a dancing skeleton, a juggler, steel drum players and others animate the streets and squares. Funfair attractions set up on the riverbanks by the Kurfuerstliche Schloss include merry-go-rounds for tots, a Ferris wheel and big kids’ thrill rides such as a free-fall tower. For fine dining, check out the “Culinarium” area by the Hoehe Weintor, where chefs from the city’s top restaurants present their dishes. Food trucks serve up simpler but equally yummy fare along the Street Food Mile at Jockel-Fuchs-Platz. Wine lovers can sample Rheinhessen’s top drops at “wine villages” found at the marketplace and Leichhof.

Shows and concerts geared to all kinds of tastes take place across eight stages scattered throughout the downtown area. Bands and solo artists playing in genres from smooth jazz to covers of today’s top hits appeal to audiences across the board; singer-songwriter and poetry slams, cabaret and readings have their fans as well.

There’s no need to miss out on World Cup action soccer action either. When Germany takes on Sweden at 8 p.m. June 23, the game will be broadcast live across numerous screens.

The festivities close in their usual style, with a great show of fireworks over the Rhine from 10:30 p.m. on Monday, June 25. Before that, a new tradition meets the old: A giant “Falla” effigy from Mainz’ partner city Valencia will be lit up in flames on the Rhine at 9:45 p.m.

Buses and trains run late into the night on Friday and Saturday; get your commute by public transportation squared away beforehand at https://www.rmv.de/auskunft/bin/jp/query.exe/en

Make the most out of your own Johannisnacht celebrations by downloading a pdf copy of the program.