Events and Street Festivals
There is always something going on in FrankfurtRheinMain: from folk and street festivals to international music and cultural events, the region offers a varied event programme throughout the year.
In summer in particular, many towns and communities in FrankfurtRheinMain are transformed into lively meeting places for culture, music, cuisine and entertainment. We have briefly outlined some of the highlights here. The events calendar on the region's tourism website also provides a good overview of smaller festivals.
Traditional Festivals
Folk festivals are popular and widespread. They take place everywhere, from small communities to larger towns. Typical for the region is the so-called ‘Kerb’ – also known as ‘Kirmes’ or ‘Kirchweih’. These are community festivals that usually take place over one weekend a year, when residents come together to celebrate.
There are small fairground rides, children's games, food, and a marquee where drinks are served. Such festivals are often opened with a specific tradition, for example, by jointly erecting a decorated tree. You can find out when and where a community festival is taking place in your area on your town or community's website.
Events and Festivals
The biggest festival in the region is the Museumsuferfest in Frankfurt. It takes place every year on the last weekend in August along the banks of the Main River. For three days, 23 museums present an extraordinary programme on stages on both sides of the riverbank. During these days, all the neighbouring museums are also open until late at night.
The Schlossgrabenfest in Darmstadt is not only the largest music festival in Hesse, but also one of the largest free open-air events in Germany. It takes place every year on the last weekend in May and offers four days of live music from all genres.
Germany's largest street festival takes place every year on the second weekend in June in Wiesbaden. The Theatrium, better known as the Wilhelmstraße Festival, offers culinary specialities from around the world, lots of music, shows, fairground rides and a craft market.
The Rheingau Music Festival is one of the largest music festivals in Europe. Between June and September, over 170 concerts take place, featuring world-famous stars and up-and-coming artists. The Rheingau, with its historic venues, becomes a huge concert stage.
Classical music is at the heart of the festival, but other genres, such as jazz, are also played here. And, as the Rheingau is a wine-growing region, wine tastings are also an integral part of the Rheingau Music Festival.
The Brothers Grimm Festival takes place every year in Hanau from mid-May to the end of July. Fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm are performed as open-air plays in a castle park. The stories of Hansel and Gretel, Frau Holle, Rapunzel and Little Red Riding Hood appeal to children and adults alike.
Open-air performances also take place every year in Bad Vilbel: the Burgfestspiele (castle festival) runs from the beginning of June to the beginning of September. The focus is on theatre productions, which attract many visitors every year. In recent years, more and more events for families and children have been created.
Christmas in FRM
In the weeks leading up to Christmas, during Advent, people in FRM gather at the world-famous Christmas markets. Lights, Christmas trees and regional Christmas products such as mulled wine and gingerbread fill the cities with Christmas spirit. One of the most famous Christmas markets is the Frankfurt Christmas Market, which boasts one of the largest Christmas trees in Germany.
Carnival in FRM
Not to be forgotten is the so-called fifth season in Germany: from 11 November to Ash Wednesday (a few weeks before Easter), Fasching (also known as Carnival or Fastnacht) is celebrated.
The name varies across different parts of the country and within the FRM region. The highlight of this period falls in the week before the start of Lent (usually in February). Then people in fancy dress are out on the streets everywhere, and celebrations are in full swing.
During street parades, decorated floats drive through the streets and sweets are thrown into the crowd. Fasching is not celebrated in the same way everywhere. The stronghold in FRM is the city of Mainz, which is known for its large Rose Monday parade.