Weekendo
Cologne Geisterzug (Jeisterzoch)
On the evening of Saturday 30 January, Cologne's alternative ghost parade rolls through the city with samba and Guggen bands, pot-lid drummers and spooky costumes. Route and times for 2027 are still to be announced.
Carnivals — Germany
Bonn 2Cologne 2Aachen 1Bitburg 1Düsseldorf 1Eschweiler 1Mainz 1Mönchengladbach 1Prüm 1Stolberg 1Trier 1
Aachen Carnival – Rosenmontagszug (Öcher Fastelovvend)
Right by the Dutch and Belgian borders, Aachen's carnival peaks on Monday 8 February at 11:11 am with a parade of about 5 km to the Markt. Town hall storming on Thursday 4 February and a big children's costume parade on Sunday 7 February.
Beuel Weiberfastnacht (Beueler Weiberfastnacht)
On Thursday 4 February, Beuel celebrates as the birthplace of Weiberfastnacht: the Wäscherprinzessin leads the parade and the women fight for the town hall on Möhneplatz. Programme starts at 10 am, free.
Cologne Carnival (Kölner Karneval)
Germany's biggest carnival: the women's day parade on Thursday 4 February, school and neighbourhood groups on Sunday 7 February, and the Rosenmontagszug on Monday 8 February from 10 am through the old town and around the cathedral.
Düsseldorf Carnival – Rosenmontagszug
Women storm the town hall on Thursday 4 February, the city strolls in costume along the Königsallee on Sunday 7 February, and on Monday 8 February comes one of Germany's most satirical parades, with Jacques Tilly's political floats.
Eschweiler Rosenmontagszug
A small town with a huge parade: on Monday 8 February from noon, some 6,500 participants, 65 bands and 130 vehicles cover almost 6 km through central Eschweiler, watched by more than 150,000 people.
Prüm Rosenmontagsumzug
Small-town Eifel carnival near the Belgian border: a tent party on Thursday 4 February, then on Monday 8 February a parade through the Carolingian abbey town of Prüm, followed by a party in the festival tent.
Mainz Carnival – Rosenmontagszug (Mainzer Fastnacht)
One of Germany's big three parades: on Monday 8 February at 11:11 am sharp, floats, guards and bands leave the Neustadt for about four hours of parade to the cathedral squares. Youth mask parade on Saturday, guards' parade on Sunday.
Bitburg Carnival Parade (Bitburger Karnevalsumzug)
On Carnival Sunday, 7 February, a family-friendly Eifel parade of walking groups, small floats and music crosses central Bitburg, followed by a party and float prizes on the Bedaplatz. 2027 times to follow.
Bonn Rosenmontagszug (Ruusemondagszoch)
On Monday 8 February at noon, the Prince and Bonna lead Bonn's parade via Münsterplatz and the Markt, throwing sweets and small flower bouquets ('Strüssje'). Sunday 7 February: Bad Godesberg parade at 1:11 pm and town hall storming at 3 pm.
Stolberg Rosenmontagszug
On Monday 8 February from 2:30 to 5 pm, Stolberg's parade winds through the historic centre of the copper town below the castle. Its afternoon start makes it easy to combine with the morning parades in Aachen or Eschweiler.
Trier Rosenmontagszug
On Monday 8 February at 11:11 am, the Trier region's biggest parade crosses Germany's oldest city from south to north, past the Hauptmarkt to the Porta Nigra. After-parade party from 3 pm in the SWT-Arena.
Mönchengladbach Veilchendienstagszug
The region's biggest parade comes on Shrove Tuesday: on 9 February 2027 at 1:11 pm the Veilchendienstagszug sets off across the whole of central Mönchengladbach to Eicken. A perfect way to end the carnival.