Name: Chinesenfasching in Dietfurt 2026
Start: 2026-02-12T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-02-12T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Stadtzentrum und Chinesenbrunnen Dietfurt

Chinesenfasching Dietfurt

About Chinesenfasching Dietfurt

The Chinesenfasching (Chinese Carnival) of Dietfurt an der Altmühl is considered one of Bavaria's most unusual and oldest carnival festivals. On "Unsinniger Donnerstag" (Fool's Thursday), the small town in the Upper Palatinate region transforms into "Bavarian China" and celebrates a festival unlike any other in Germany. Around 20,000 visitors experience the grand masked procession with about 50 carnival groups, which marches through the lantern-adorned city center with the battle cry "Kille-wau!". The Chinesenfasching has been an intangible cultural heritage of Bavaria since 2018 and was nominated as a UNESCO cultural heritage candidate in 2025. The motto for 2026 is: "With Bamboo and Pretzels — Celebrating Cultural Heritage — in the Year of the Horse". A unique fusion of traditions, blending Franconian and Chinese flair.

Dates 12 Feb — 12 Feb 2026

Venue Dietfurt a.d.Altmühl (09373)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Chinesenfasching Dietfurt — edition 2026

The 2026 Chinesenfasching takes place on "Unsinniger Donnerstag" (Fool's Thursday), February 12th, in Dietfurt an der Altmühl. Motto: "With Bamboo and Pretzels — Celebrating Cultural Heritage — in the Year of the Horse". City tours start at 10 AM at the Chinesenbrunnen, followed by the grand masked procession in the early afternoon with around 50 carnival groups. Approximately 20,000 visitors are expected. Intangible Cultural Heritage of Bavaria, UNESCO candidate since 2025.

The 2026 edition falls on February 12th ("Unsinniger Donnerstag") — the date is confirmed by official sources from the town of Dietfurt and the district of Neumarkt. The motto for 2026 is: "With Bamboo and Pretzels — Celebrating Cultural Heritage — in the Year of the Horse" — a reference to the Chinese Year of the Horse and the carnival's cultural heritage recognition.

The exact schedule will be published shortly before the festival on dietfurt.de. As usual, the program is expected to include city tours in the morning, the masked procession in the early afternoon, and subsequent carnival festivities in the city center.

Highlights Chinesenfasching Dietfurt 2026

Grand masked procession with about 50 carnival groups, "Emperor of Dietfurt" audience, city tours at the Chinesenbrunnen, lantern decorations in the old town, motto "With Bamboo and Pretzels — in the Year of the Horse".

Programme Chinesenfasching Dietfurt 2026

Program February 12, 2026 — Chinesenfasching Dietfurt

Morning

From 10:00 AM — City Tours starting from the Chinesenbrunnen at the market square — Insights into the history of the carnival and Dietfurt's "Chinese" connections
Carnival atmosphere in the old town, lanterns, stalls

Afternoon — Masked Procession

Grand Masked Procession through the city center with around 50 carnival groups, dragons, pagodas, and floats
Battle cry "Kille-wau!" and audience with the "Emperor of Dietfurt"
Followed by carnival celebrations with catering in inns and public squares

Background

Motto 2026: "With Bamboo and Pretzels — Celebrating Cultural Heritage — in the Year of the Horse"
Intangible Cultural Heritage of Bavaria since 2018, UNESCO candidate since 2025
Approximately 20,000 visitors expected

Sources: City of Dietfurt — Chinesenfasching, District of Neumarkt and Neumarkt aktuell.

Prices Chinesenfasching Dietfurt 2026

Masked procession and carnival festivities are free. City tours, balls, and individual special events require admission fees.

Practical information

Practical information — Chinesenfasching Dietfurt

Getting There

By car via the A 9 (exit Hilpoltstein / Greding) and the ST 2226. Continue by bus or car from Beilngries or Riedenburg train station. The city center is closed to traffic during the masked procession – early arrival is recommended.

Admission

Masked procession, city atmosphere, and festivities are freely accessible. Individual events (balls, city tours at the Chinesenbrunnen) require admission fees. City tours start at 10 AM at the Chinesenbrunnen.

Accommodation

Guesthouses in Dietfurt, larger selection in Beilngries, Riedenburg, and Neumarkt. High demand – early booking recommended.

A Carnival Tradition Like No Other

The Chinesenfasching (Chinese Carnival) of Dietfurt an der Altmühl is one of Germany's most unusual and oldest carnival traditions. On the highlight of "Unsinniger Donnerstag" (Fool's Thursday), the small town in the Altmühltal Nature Park becomes "Bavarian China": lanterns hang over the streets, residents and guests wear Chinese-inspired carnival costumes, the "Emperor of Dietfurt" appears for an audience on the town hall balcony, and the traditional battle cry "Kille-wau!" echoes through the alleys.

Origin of the Tradition

There are several stories about the origin of the Chinesenfasching. One says that centuries ago, the Bishop of Eichstätt described the citizens of Dietfurt as inaccessible – like behind a "Great Wall of China". Another traces the festival back to a carnival theme from the 19th century that took on a life of its own. What is clear is that for generations, the Chinese costume on "Unsinniger Donnerstag" has been a firm custom – and is proudly maintained today.

Masked Procession, 50 Groups, 20,000 Visitors

The grand masked procession starts on "Unsinniger Donnerstag" — February 12, 2026 — through the city center. Around 50 carnival groups from Dietfurt and neighboring towns march through the old town in Chinese-inspired costumes, with dragons, pagodas, and floats. The town is estimated to be populated by 20,000 visitors for an afternoon – many times its own population.

Intangible Cultural Heritage

Since 2018, the Chinesenfasching has been officially recognized as intangible cultural heritage of Bavaria. In 2025, the tradition was nominated as a candidate for the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage – an honor that strengthens the self-perception of the people of Dietfurt.

Motto 2026 — Bamboo, Pretzels, and Year of the Horse

Each year has its own motto, chosen by the organizer – the Faschingsgesellschaft Bayrisch China (Carnival Society Bavarian China). 2026 the motto is: "With Bamboo and Pretzels — Celebrating Cultural Heritage — in the Year of the Horse". It refers to the Chinese zodiac sign of 2026 and the carnival's cultural heritage recognition.

Dietfurt in the Altmühltal

Dietfurt an der Altmühl is a town with about 6,200 inhabitants in the district of Neumarkt in the Upper Palatinate, Bavaria. It is located in the Altmühltal Nature Park, at the mouth of the Schwarze Laber into the Altmühl. Dietfurt is primarily known for tourism due to its old town with city gates, the "Chinesenbrunnen" (Chinese Fountain) on the market square, and its carnival revelry.