Bottrop Carnival Fair & Rose Monday Parade

Five Days of Street Carnival in Bottrop

The Bottrop Carnival is one of the largest street carnival events in the Ruhr area. In 2026, the festival runs from Weiberfastnacht, February 12th to Shrove Tuesday, February 17th — the Karnevalskirmes (carnival fair) is open from February 12th to 16th, and the Rose Monday parade follows on Monday, February 16th. With around 80 showmen, a central stage program on Rathausplatz, and the traditional parade through the city center, Bottrop is a fixed date in the Rhenish-Westphalian carnival calendar.

Opening on Weiberfastnacht, Thursday, February 12th

The season classically starts on Weiberfastnacht (Thursday, February 12th, 2026) with the opening of the street carnival and the start of the fair. On the stage at Rathausplatz, the program begins from 11:30 AM with performances by carnival societies, local bands, dance groups, and session presidents. Bottrop follows the Rhenish tradition with Möhnen (carnival ladies), confetti rain, Bützchen (little kisses), and “Bottrop Helau”.

Karnevalskirmes — 80 Showmen in Five City Districts

The Karnevalskirmes is the largest of its kind in the western Ruhr area — 80 showmen are spread across the entire city center: Altmarkt (with a Ferris wheel next to Tchibo), Berliner Platz, Kirchplatz, Pferdemarkt, Poststraße. Eight large rides (looping, twister, dodgems, Ferris wheel) and nine children's rides (carousel, train, bouncy castle) form the centerpiece. The fair is open daily from 2 PM to 10 PM, and on Rose Monday from 11 AM.

Fireworks on Friday Evening

A Bottrop trademark is the grand carnival fireworks on Friday evening (February 13th, 2026, around 9 PM). The fireworks are launched from the roof of the high-rise building at Gleiwitzer Platz — good views can be had from Altmarkt, the Berliner Platz area, and along Osterfelder Straße. About 15–20 minutes of pyrotechnics over the city center.

Rose Monday Parade, February 16th, 10:30 AM

The highlight of the Bottrop season is the Rose Monday parade on Monday, February 16th, 2026, starting at 10:30 AM. The parade route leads through:

• Start: Essener Straße (Main Station area)
• Via Petersstraße towards the city center
• Finish: Hans-Böckler-Straße on the other side of the city center

Around 70 floats and walking groups parade through the city, including carnival societies, schools, clubs, and companies. Thousands of Kamelle (sweets), Strüßjer (bouquets), and plush toys are thrown into outstretched bags. Floats assemble from 9 AM, the parade disperses in the afternoon, followed by more hours of festivities in pubs and at the fair.

Daily Stage Program at Rathausplatz

On the main stage at Rathausplatz, there is a program every carnival day from 11:30 AM: local carnival bands, comedians, dance troupes, Möhnen choirs, DJs, and session presidents. Free admission, mulled wine stands, bratwurst stalls, and snack bars cater to visitors. Highlight on Sunday evening (February 15th): Möhnenball on the stage.

Traffic and Arrival

During carnival week (February 7th–16th), there are extensive traffic restrictions in the city center — Osterfelder Straße between the central bus station (ZOB) and Gleiwitzer Platz is completely closed from February 10th to 16th. Arrival by public transport or Park-and-Ride is strongly recommended. Bottrop Main Station is a 10-minute walk from Altmarkt.

Bottrop — Carnival in the Ruhr Area

Bottrop, with around 117,000 inhabitants, is part of the northern Ruhr area and has maintained its own Rhenish carnival tradition for generations. Bottrop Carnival is classically in the Rhenish style — with sessions, floats, Kamelle, Möhnen, and parish groups. Anyone from Bottrop has celebrated carnival at least once in their life with “Bottrop Helau”.