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September in Mainz is for Festivals

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September in Mainz is a wonder. It's sometimes a late summer (warm, late golden sun in the evenings), and sometimes gloomy and gray (great days for cuddling with a blanket and tea). It's always got a lot going on - just about every weekend, there's a festival of some kind. Here, below,  my personal faves...

The first weekend in September (and last weekend in August)
  • Annual Weinmarkt. Every year, the Volkspark is filled with wine stands and food areas, and an artists' market. There's even a kids' corner - but it gets crowded early. You can get there by bus, best by bike, or attempt to park somewhere nearby.
  • Another great option is the Ziegelei Fest - a small festival at a neighborhood kindergarten in Bretzenheim, featuring course work from the VHS. Some fun dance and music performances accompanied by a local honey stand, cake table, and tacos! 
The second weekend September is even busier:
  • Appel Happel has several festivals around apple picking - including a night picking Saturday night this weekend.
  • Intercultural Week kicks off with a colorful, food-filled festival in the Marktplatz, usually the same day as the...
  • Wissenschaftfest at the Staatstheater. Free and educational!
  • If you prefer wide open spaces, the Zitadellenfest kicks off too, with a book fair and tour of the tunnels. It's the only day every year you can get into the Citadel!
  • Open Door Day at the big fire station in Bretzenheim.
Mid-September
  • Rhine River Cleanup (Sept-15) - all along the Rhine including in Mainz!
  • Mainzer ApfelFest at Appel Happel (Sept 22-23) - it can get very crowded, but it's lovely and great for the kids! 
...with more to be added as they come!  

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