Bergheim Carnival Parade

Carnival in the Rhein-Erft District — Three Parades in One Day

While Cologne hosts Germany's largest carnival parade on Rose Monday, the district town of Bergheim traditionally celebrates its highlight on Carnival Sunday. A special feature of Bergheim's carnival landscape: on the same Sunday, February 15, 2026, carnival parades take place simultaneously in three districts of Bergheim — coordinated by the Festkomitee Bergheimer Karneval e.V. and the respective local carnival societies.

Main Parade Bergheim — Magdeburger Straße to Aachener Tor

The main parade in Bergheim's city center starts on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at 2:00 PM. The assembly begins at 12:00 PM on Magdeburger Straße. The parade leads through the pedestrian zone of the city center to Aachener Tor and disperses around 6:00 PM. Several dozen floats, dance groups, music bands, and walking groups from the Rhein-Erft district are expected. Thousands of 'Jecken' line the route — 'Kamelle' (sweets), 'Strüßje' (small bouquets), and good cheer in double measure.

Quadrath-Ichendorf — Auf der Helle

Parallel to the main parade, the Quadrath-Ichendorf carnival parade rolls through the district of the same name at 2:00 PM. Assembly begins at 12:30 PM "Auf der Helle" in Quadrath-Ichendorf. The parade is significantly smaller than the main parade but has its own long-standing tradition in the district and is considered the "family parade" among Bergheim's carnival parades.

Glessen — In der Hüll

The third parade also starts on February 15, 2026, at 2:00 PM in Bergheim-Glessen. Assembly from 1:00 PM "In der Hüll". With its carnival traditions, Glessen is an independent carnival location within the Bergheim municipal area — the parade attracts 'Jecken' from the western Rhein-Erft district and even from neighboring Pulheim.

Festkomitee Bergheimer Karneval e.V.

The Bergheim carnival parades are organized by the Festkomitee Bergheimer Karneval e.V. in cooperation with local carnival societies — including the Glessener Karnevalsgesellschaft and KG Quadrath-Ichendorf. The festival committee coordinates the assemblies, parade order, police and rescue services, as well as the municipal permit process of the district town of Bergheim. The main contact person for the city is Christina Conen (Press Office, 02271 89651).

Bergheim in the Rhein-Erft District

Bergheim is the district town of the Rhein-Erft district and is located west of Cologne between the 'Bördelandschaft' (loamy agricultural landscape) and the Rheinland Nature Park. With around 62,000 inhabitants, a mining tradition (lignite mining region), and a vibrant carnival history, Bergheim is one of the carnival centers of the Cologne-Bonn suburbs — and Carnival Sunday is the unofficial public holiday of the district town.