© #visitfrankfurt_Holger_Ullmann

Main Festival

02.08. – 05.08.2024

Tradition and culture - a festival that connects

Mainfest: Heartbeat 
on the riverbank

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 rides, delicious regional food and a diverse cultural programme, the festival reflects the lively soul of Frankfurt.

 

The traditional fisherman's joust 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. Set against the backdrop of the River Main, this event offers a fascinating journey through time and attracts crowds of enthusiasts every year.

History and character of the Mainfest

Historical roots,   
living tradition

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

The consecration of the Dreikönigskirche church on 23 July 1340 is regarded as the origin of the Main Festival. Fishermen and boatmen derived their fishing festival from this, with which 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 fishermen, firecracker shooting, fireworks and colourful parade rides in processions 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 Main Festival to move briefly to the Ostpark, but when it returned from its exile on Römerberg and the banks of the Main in 1973, the Main Festival was able to celebrate a sensational comeback.

  • Ox on the spit: 
    A traditional speciality that has been enjoyed since the beginning of the festival.

  • 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 fairground rides for young and old.

  • Fisherman's jousting:
    An exciting event in which participants compete against each other in boats on the Main to playfully push each other into the water.

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Programme

Information on the programme will follow.

FAQ 

Frequently asked questions about the Mainfest

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