Frankfurt - Mainfest

The Mainfest in Frankfurt, located directly on the banks of the Main, transforms the city into a lively meeting place that brings together young and old.

With a colourful mix of traditional fairground rides, delicious regional food and a varied cultural programme, the festival reflects the lively soul of Frankfurt.

The traditional fish stabbing is a highlight. Brave participants in historical costumes compete against each other on boats, equipped with long spears, in a captivating contest of skill and balance.

Against the backdrop of the River Main, this event offers a fascinating journey through time and attracts crowds of enthusiasts every year.

Historical roots, living tradition:

The origin of the Mainfest is considered to be the consecration of the Dreikönigskirche church on 23 July 1340, from which fishermen and boatmen derived their fishing festival.

With the fishing festival, they paid homage to ‘their river and its bounty’. They celebrated with ‘ox on a spit’, let wine flow from the fountain of justice and enjoyed passion plays performed by schoolchildren in ‘Himmelreich huts’, goose plucking, duck catching by the fishermen, firecracker shooting, fireworks and colourful parades of four and six along the banks of the Main.

On the occasion of the inauguration of the new ‘Old Bridge’, people remembered the old Main festivals and once again organised an annual folk festival on the Main. Interrupted by the destruction of the Second World War, the then Lord Mayor Dr Walter Kolb continued the tradition. Construction work required the Mainfest to move briefly to the Ostpark, but after returning from its exile there to Römerberg and the banks of the Main in 1973, the Mainfest celebrated a sensational comeback.

Ochs am Spieß:

A traditional speciality that has been enjoyed since the festival's beginnings.

Wine from the Fountain of Justice:

A unique attraction where wine instead of water flows from one of the city's historic fountains.

Market stalls and fairground rides:

A colourful hustle and bustle with market stalls offering local specialities and handicrafts, as well as rides for young and old.

Fishermen's jousting:

Today's Mainfest has its roots deep in the Middle Ages and was originally created as a fishing festival. To this day, the festival celebrates the old custom of the fisherman's stabbing in co-operation with the Frankfurt Rhine-Main Showmen's Association and the Frankfurt Fishermen's and Boatmen's Guild.

Once a serious competition for the best market places, today it is an exciting show fight. Teams compete in rowing boats to playfully push their opponents into the water.

Source: Tourismus+Congress GmbH Frankfurt am Main

Travel information:

By public transport:

- by underground - Römer station (U4, U5)

- by tram - Römer/Paulskirche stop (lines 11, 12, 14)

By car:

- Venue: Mainkai, Fahrtor and on the Römerberg

Parking facilities:

- Dom/Römer multi-storey car park (Domstraße 1)

- Hauptwache multi-storey car park (Kornmarkt 10)

- Konstabler multi-storey car park (Töngesgasse