It's party time all year round in vibrant, cosmopolitan Mainz. Dancing in the streets at carnival time is followed by a huge fun fair on Midsummer's Eve in honour of Johannes Gutenberg, the city's most famous son, while late summer sees the wine festival in the municipal park. Crowds also flock to events in many of the city's outlying districts. www.touristik-mainz.de/veranstaltungen
25 November - 23 December 2010, Mainz Christmas market has a long history. Known as the St Nicholas Market it has been held in the city for more than 200 years