Mainz Carnival – Rosenmontagszug (Mainzer Fastnacht)

Mainz stages one of Germany's three great carnival parades. On Monday 8 February 2027, the Rosenmontagszug leaves the Neustadt at 11:11 am sharp and heads past the Staatstheater and Gutenbergplatz into the old town and on to the cathedral squares; it takes about four hours for the whole parade to pass. The famous Schwellköpp, giant papier-mâché heads, are the theme of the 2027 motto. Street carnival runs from Thursday to Shrove Tuesday, with the children's and youth mask parade on Saturday 6 February and the guards' parade on Sunday 7 February. The MCV will publish the detailed 2027 programme soon.