Düsseldorf Carnival — Rose Monday Parade

Düsseldorf Carnival — The Fifth Season on the Rhine

The Düsseldorf Carnival is one of the great Rhenish Carnival traditions — a sister carnival to Cologne Carnival, with its own distinct character: Instead of "Alaaf", Düsseldorf shouts "Helau!", instead of Kölsch, they drink Altbier, and the symbol is not the Hänneschen, but the Hoppeditz. Carnival tradition in Düsseldorf dates back to the early 19th century; the Comitee Düsseldorfer Carneval (CC) was founded as early as 1825, making it one of Germany's oldest umbrella Carnival organisations.

Session 2025/26 — “Mer bliewe bunt – ejal wat kütt!”

The session motto for the 2025/26 session is: “Mer bliewe bunt – ejal wat kütt!” (“We stay colourful – no matter what comes!”). It was announced on March 4, 2025, by CC President Lothar Hörning and CEO Uwe Willer from the Rathaus balcony. The motto reflects Düsseldorf Carnival's self-assurance in turbulent times — diversity, joie de vivre, inclusivity. The current Düsseldorf Prince and Princess are Prince Marcus I. and Venetia Nicole.

Hoppeditz Awakening and the Session Kick-off

The session symbolically began on November 11, 2025, at 11:11 AM with the Hoppeditz Awakening in the market square in front of the Rathaus — the ceremonial start of the "fifth season". The Hoppeditz is Düsseldorf's symbolic jester figure, depicted covered in mustard sauce and holding a golden megaphone. He annually calls the people of Düsseldorf to join the festivities and is buried again on Ash Wednesday.

2026 Dates at a Glance

The peak Carnival week in 2026:

• Thursday, February 12, 2026 — Altweiber (Women's Carnival): Symbolic takeover of the Rathaus by women, from 11:11 AM women's party in the Old Town, tie-cutting ceremony
• Saturday, February 14, 2026 — Children's and Youth Carnival Parade: 1:00 PM–4:00 PM through Düsseldorf's city centre
• Sunday, February 15, 2026 — Neighbourhood Parades and Barrel Race: Carnival parades in Düsseldorf's districts + Barrel Race (competition with decorated rubbish bins)
• Monday, February 16, 2026 — Rose Monday Parade: Grand parade, starting at 12:22 PM (assembly from 10:15 AM) on Corneliusstraße
• Tuesday, February 17, 2026 — Shrove Tuesday: Last major public holiday of the session
• Wednesday, February 18, 2026 — Ash Wednesday / Hoppeditz Burial: Symbolic end of the session

Rose Monday Parade — The Climax

The Düsseldorf Rose Monday Parade starts on February 16, 2026, at 12:22 PM on Corneliusstraße. Expected are:

• 110 themed floats, many from the float-building workshop of Düsseldorf Carnival float builders led by Jacques Tilly — known for sharp political satire floats with international acclaim
• 85 walking groups
• 30 brass bands
• Over 8,000 participants
• Throwing material: approx. 80 tonnes of "Kamelle" (sweets) and 60,000 Strüßjer (small bouquets)

The parade route runs along Königsallee, past the market square, and through the Old Town. Grandstand seats on the market square are ticketed; along the route, the crowd cheers "Helau!" to the float participants.

Düsseldorf and Rhenish Carnival

Düsseldorf is the state capital of North Rhine-Westphalia with around 645,000 inhabitants. Besides Königsallee, the Rhine promenade, and the Old Town, Carnival is one of the city's trademarks. Düsseldorf traditionally rivals Cologne for the "better" Carnival — a rivalry primarily played out in the beer question (Altbier vs. Kölsch) and the greeting (Helau vs. Alaaf). During Carnival days, Düsseldorf's Old Town ("longest bar in the world") and its districts transform into one big party.