February 3, 2026 – October 25, 2026
Von Mainz in die Welt – 100 Jahre Mainzer Hofsänger
Photos and objects tell how a student choir of the 1920s became the Mainzer Hofsänger, who perform around the world.
Mainzer Fastnachtsmuseum
Volunteer-run museum of the Mainz carnival (Fastnacht) since 1837: costumes, medals, carnival guards, Schwellköpp giant heads and TV carnival in the Proviant-Magazin.
Opening hoursAdmission from €4 Wheelchair accessible
Current exhibitions
About the museum
Mainz has celebrated its carnival, the Fastnacht, in organized form since 1837. To preserve its legacy, the Mainzer Fastnachtsarchiv (Mainz Carnival Archive) was first established in 1972 to collect documents and memorabilia from the carnival clubs. In 1989 the Förderverein Mainzer Fastnachtsmuseum (friends' association) was founded; it runs the museum and archive with more than 70 volunteers.
In June 2004 the museum opened in the vaults of the historic Proviant-Magazin, a former military building in downtown Mainz; the exhibition was renewed in 2017. An entrance vault introduces the traditions of the Fastnacht and shows the route of the Rosenmontag (Rose Monday) parade on a walk-on city map. Further rooms are devoted to street carnival, indoor carnival sessions with the Bütt (the barrel-shaped speaker's lectern) and political-literary speeches, and the TV session "Mainz bleibt Mainz, wie es singt und lacht."
On display are fools' caps, medals, guard uniforms, Schwellköpp (oversized papier-mâché heads) and parade badges, as well as costumes and props of well-known carnival performers such as Margit Sponheimer, Ernst Neger and the Mainzer Hofsänger. Film clips from decades of televised carnival and carnival songs complement the objects. The last vault is reserved for changing special exhibitions, and there is also a lecture series.
Highlights
- Walk-on city map showing the route of the Rosenmontag parade
- Original "Bütt" and costumes of well-known carnival performers
- Mainz Schwellköpp giant heads and guard uniforms
- Clips from more than 60 years of televised carnival
- Vaults of the historic Proviant-Magazin
Permanent exhibitions
- Mainzer Fastnacht – im Saal und auf der Gasse – The permanent exhibition in the vaults of the Proviant-Magazin covers street, indoor and televised carnival with costumes, medals, Schwellköpp and film clips.
- Founded
- 2004
- Operated by
- Förderverein Mainzer Fastnachtsmuseum e. V.
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €4 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3Students, retirees and people with severe disabilities |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 14 · Children up to 14 free. |
| Seniors | €3Reduced admission for retirees. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €3Reduced admission for people with severe disabilities. |
| Students & apprentices | €3 |
| Groups (10+ people) | €3 per personGuided tours for groups of 10 or more (max. 25) by reservation: €20 per group plus reduced admission of €3 per person. Children's tours free. |
School classes and kindergartens free by appointment.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Accessible via elevators from the neighboring PMG Schillerstraße parking garage; according to Mainz Tourismus, the museum is wheelchair-accessible.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 14 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
Free tours for children's groups (up to age 14) by registration; the museum has a child-friendly seating corner with a TV.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
PMG parking garage Schillerstraße in the immediate vicinity; from there, step-free access to the museum by elevator.
Amenities & dining
Books and brochures on Fastnacht (Mainz carnival) available at the ticket desk.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Entrance at the west entrance of the Proviant-Magazin. The museum is run by volunteers; guided tours for adult and children's groups only by advance reservation by phone or email. Lecture series "Dienstags im Museum" (Tuesdays at the museum), registration required. |
