Bad Godesberg Carnival Parade

Bonn-Bad Godesberg — Elegant Southern City District

Since 1969, Bad Godesberg has been a city district of the Federal City of Bonn — formerly an independent spa town on the Rhine, now one of Bonn's largest districts with around 75,000 inhabitants. Characterized by the former embassy residences from Bonn's capital city era, the Godesburg Castle, the Redoute, and a vibrant city center. Like all of Bonn, Bad Godesberg also has a strong Rhineland Carnival tradition with its own carnival club and its own princely dynasty.

Festausschuss Bonner Karneval (FBK) and the District Parades

Bonn organizes Carnival not centrally, but decentrally: each of the four Bonn city districts has its own Vierdelszuch (Vierdel = Rhenish for 'quarter'). Bad Godesberg, Beuel, Bonn-Mitte, and Hardtberg each parade through their city centers with their own floats, princely dynasties, and carnival clubs. The umbrella organization is the Festausschuss Bonner Karneval (FBK), which handles coordination. Bad Godesberg traditionally falls on Tulip Sunday (Carnival Sunday before Rose Monday).

2026 — Tulip Sunday on February 15

In 2026, Tulip Sunday falls on February 15, 2026. The Bad Godesberg Carnival Parade starts, as always, at 1:11 PM — a typical carnival time, derived from the 'crazy number' 11 of Rhineland Carnival. Before the parade, the City Hall Storm takes place: the carnival clubs symbolically 'storm' the city hall and take over power for a day. The mayor or district mayor must hand over the keys and crown to Prince Carnival.

Prince Gregor and Bonna Godesia Eva-Maria

The Princely Couple 2026 of the Bad Godesberg Carnival season:

• Prince Carnival Gregor — His Highness of the 2025/26 season
• Bonna Godesia Eva-Maria — the female counterpart to His Highness (Bonn-specific title)

The princely dynasty is elected in a festive proclamation at the start of the season (November 11th) and represents Bad Godesberg throughout the entire Carnival season — at meetings, receptions, hospital visits, and of course, at the Carnival Parade.

Motto 2026 — 'In Jodesberch fiert Jroß un Kleen'

Every Bonn Carnival season has its own motto — the guiding slogan of the princely dynasty. In 2026, it is: 'In Jodesberch fiert Jroß un Kleen' (Standard German: 'In Bad Godesberg, young and old celebrate'). This is classic Rhenish dialect — Godesberg becomes 'Jodesberch', 'groß' (big) becomes 'Jroß', and 'klein' (small) becomes 'Kleen'. The motto emphasizes the family-friendly carnival theme.

Program — City Hall Storm and Parade

The typical daily schedule on Tulip Sunday:

• Morning: Carnival clubs gather at the assembly points
• Midday: City Hall Storm — symbolic takeover of Bad Godesberg City Hall by the 'Jecken'
• 1:11 PM: Parade Start with Prince Gregor, Bonna Eva-Maria, 'Funkengarden' (carnival guards), carnival floats, walking groups, and music bands
• Route: through the Bad Godesberg city center (typically around City Hall, Theaterplatz, Bonner Straße)
• Candy and Chocolate Throws: no carnival without 'Kamelle'
• Afterwards: Carnival party in Bad Godesberg venues and clubhouses