Bopparder Abendumzug
Legendary carnival parade on the Sunday before Rose Monday through Boppard's city center, starting at 6:11 PM
About Bopparder Abendumzug
The Bopparder Abendumzug is one of the most unusual and atmospheric carnival events on the Middle Rhine. Unlike the classic Rose Monday parades, the Boppard parade takes place on the Sunday before Rose Monday – and in the evening, starting at 6:11 PM.
The darkness, the illuminated floats, torches, and lanterns, as well as the historic backdrop of Boppard's city center with its half-timbered houses and the Rhine promenade, lend the parade a special atmosphere. Even in 2026, it took place despite snow, underscoring its reputation as a weather-resistant Boppard tradition. The date for 2026 is Sunday, February 15, 2026.
The Bopparder Abendumzug is one of the special carnival events on the Middle Rhine. While other cities experience their climax on Rose Monday in broad daylight, Boppard has chosen a different path: the grand parade takes place on the Sunday before Rose Monday in the evening, with the traditional fool's starting signal at 6:11 PM.
The choice of evening hour has made the parade a visually and atmospherically unique event. Illuminated floats with elaborately constructed light installations, torchbearers, illuminated walking groups and dance troupes, as well as lanterns installed by the audience between the houses, give the parade an almost fairytale-like appearance. The historic backdrop of Boppard's city center with its half-timbered houses, the late Romanesque St. Severus Church, and the promenade along the Rhine reinforces this impression.
Boppard is located in the UNESCO World Heritage site "Upper Middle Rhine Valley" and looks back on a long carnival tradition. Several carnival clubs in the city – including the Karnevalsgesellschaft Boppard and friendly clubs from districts like Buchholz, Hirzenach, and Bad Salzig – participate in the evening parade. In addition, there are guest clubs from the Rhein-Hunsrück district, the Rheingau, and from the right bank of the Rhine.
The parade winds through Boppard's old town and ends at the festival tents or clubhouses, where participants and the audience continue to celebrate into the night. Even in 2026, the parade could take place despite wintry conditions with snow, underscoring its reputation as a weather-resistant tradition. Thousands of revelers from the region and beyond line the route, creating a jubilant atmosphere with creative costumes.
A special feature of the Bopparder Abendumzug is the opportunity to combine it with a visit to one of the city's historic wine cellars. Boppard is famous for its Bopparder Hamm, one of Germany's most spectacular Riesling vineyards; many carnival-goers use the days around the parade for a wine tasting at one of Boppard's wineries.
Bopparder Abendumzug — edition 2026
On Sunday, February 15, 2026, the Bopparder Abendumzug will set off precisely at 6:11 PM. Illuminated floats, torch groups, and costumed walking groups will move through the historic city center of Boppard in the encroaching darkness. The picturesque backdrop of half-timbered houses and the Rhine promenade gives the parade its unmistakable atmosphere. Thousands of revelers from the region will line the route and continue celebrating afterwards in the festival tents and clubhouses.
The 2026 edition of the Bopparder Abendumzug continues the tradition that annually attracts thousands of carnival enthusiasts from the Rhein-Hunsrück district, the Rheingau, and beyond to the Middle Rhine. Illuminated floats with elaborate light installations, dance troupes, music bands, torch groups, and costumed walking groups paint the picture of the parade.
The choice of evening hour distinguishes the Boppard parade from the classic Rose Monday parades and gives it a unique character. The parade moves through Boppard's old town, whose UNESCO-worthy backdrop of half-timbered and medieval buildings is bathed in atmospheric light.
Programme Bopparder Abendumzug 2026
The exact program for 2026 will be published by the organizer in spring/summer. The structure follows the proven key points of previous years:
- 5:30 PM: Assembly of parade participants in the area before Boppard's city center.
- 6:11 PM: Official start of the evening parade.
- 6:11 PM to approx. 9 PM: Parade through the historic city center of Boppard with illuminated floats, dance troupes, music bands, and costumed walking groups.
- Afterwards: Carnival celebrations in the festival tents and clubhouses of the Boppard carnival clubs.
Highlights Bopparder Abendumzug 2026
Highlights 2026: unique nocturnal carnival parade with illuminated floats and torch groups, picturesque backdrop of Boppard's old town in the UNESCO Middle Rhine Valley World Heritage site, jubilant atmosphere and carnival celebrations in the festival tents following the parade.
Prices Bopparder Abendumzug 2026
The parade is free to attend. Food and drinks are offered along the route and in the festival tents at usual prices.
Practical information — Bopparder Abendumzug
Date 2026: Sunday, February 15, 2026.
Start: 6:11 PM in Boppard city center.
Admission: free (public parade).
Getting there: Boppard is accessible by train (left Rhine line, long-distance stop) and via the B9 federal road as well as the Boppard (A61) motorway exit. The city center is partially closed on the day of the parade; travel by train is recommended.
Note: Current information on the parade route and assembly points from the Boppard city administration and local carnival clubs.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
Max. 5 photos, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Spotted an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Each suggestion is reviewed by our team before being published.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.