Every Jeck is welcome in NRW, because the state is famous for its carnival and there is a lot going on everywhere during the fifth season. So that you don't lose track, here is a selection of the Rhenish classics. In Bonn, the street carnival kicks off on Weiberfastnacht, Cologne, with its 200 years of carnival customs, is one of the traditional strongholds of foolishness and in Düsseldorf and Aachen, many families parade through the streets in costume on certain days. So put on your cardboard nose and join in the hustle and bustle. Because the best thing about carnival is that it's so easy to enjoy. You have no idea about the customs and don't know a song? It doesn't matter, you can simply sway along, laugh, dance, be amazed and have a great time.
Fools' stronghold for 200 yearsCologne: The great carnival classic
Cologne Carnival is one of the largest and most famous carnival festivals in the world. The "Fastelovend" or "Fasteleer", as it is known in Cologne dialect, is almost as old as the history of the city itself. However, Cologne's revellers have only been celebrating as organised as they do today for 200 years.
It gets really colourful and foolish with the start of the street carnival, which begins on Weiberfastnacht, the Thursday before Rosenmontag. The festivities reach their climax with the Rose Monday parade on 16 February 2026. One thing is for sure: if you're coming to a parade, a party or just to enjoy the festivities, you're in good hands in the carnival stronghold of Cologne. And the best thing is: even after Ash Wednesday, the carnival on the Rhine continues to be celebrated here and there.
In costume on the KöDüsseldorf: Celebrate with the Hoppeditz
In Düsseldorf, the revellers are in their element from Hoppeditz' awakening on 11 November until Ash Wednesday. Before the carnival in the state capital reaches its climax with the Rose Monday parade, the family-friendly Kö hustle and bustle on Carnival Sunday offers an opportunity for exuberant celebrations. Several hundred thousand people meet on the boulevard from 11.11 a.m., in fancy dress of course. Most of them provide their own music and catering, and often bring along their own neat handcarts for transport.
Storming of the town hall is the start of the street carnivalBonn: Bützche from the underwear princess
Weiberfastnacht (Women's Carnival) marks the start of the actual fun days: this is when the men in all carnival strongholds have nothing to laugh about - and nothing to say. They forfeit power and some of their ties and, at best, receive a "Bützje" (kiss) in return. This tradition has its origins in Bonn: in 1824, the Bonn-Beueler washerwomen joined forces to take part in the previously all-male carnival. Even today, the storming of the town hall by the laundry princess is not only the starting signal for the street carnival, but also one of the main attractions in Bonn.
Fantastic costumes for young and oldAachen's speciality: carnival for children
Children's carnival is very important in Aachen and has a long tradition. The Aachen children's costume parade takes place on Tulip Sunday and celebrated its premiere even before the Second World War. Around 120 different groups parade through Aachen, including many schools and kindergartens. For young and old alike, the Rose Monday parade is the highlight of the year that everyone looks forward to. The parade is around five kilometres long and around 170 groups present themselves with unusual costumes and imaginatively designed floats.
