Elsdorf Carnival Parades 2026

Seven Carnival Parades in One Town

The town of Elsdorf in the Rhein-Erft district is the carnival Eldorado of the region in February 2026. From February 15th to 17th, 2026, seven carnival parades will roll through the town's districts — an almost unbeatable density for a municipality of this size. Each district has its own carnival society, its own prince and princess, its own motto. The tradition in some cases dates back over 100 years and is a defining pillar of identity for the region between Cologne and Aachen.

Carnival Sunday — February 15th, 2026

11:00 AM — KG Blaukappen Heppendorf

Sunday morning opens with the KG Blaukappen Heppendorf and their carnival parade through the northwestern district. The Blaukappen are one of the most traditional carnival societies in the town.

1:11 PM — Sugar Cube Parade by KG Fidelio Elsdorf

The town's largest parade: the Sugar Cube Parade by KG Fidelio Elsdorf starts at 1:11 PM in the town center. The name is a nod to Elsdorf's sugar tradition — the town was historically an important location for the beet sugar industry. Today, the Sugar Cube Parade is the highlight of the carnival season in the district.

2:00 PM — Carnival Parade Berrendorf

In the district of Berrendorf, the carnival parade starts on Sunday afternoon — more rural and family-friendly than the Sugar Cube Parade, but just as lively.

Rose Monday — February 16th, 2026

11:11 AM — Carnival Parade Grouven

Grouven starts Rose Monday with the morning parade — rural character, smaller parade, intense participation from the villagers.

2:00 PM — Carnival Parade Oberembt

In the afternoon, Oberembt gets going — also a district parade with local float charm.

2:11 PM — Carnival Parade Neu-Etzweiler

The best-known Rose Monday parade is the one from Neu-Etzweiler — starts from Bürgerhaus Irisweg, goes through the entire district. Followed by a celebration in the community center. Schützenfest Neu-Etzweiler: July 10th, 2026, also at Bürgerhaus Neu-Etzweiler.

Carnival Tuesday — February 17th, 2026

2:11 PM — Carnival Parade Esch

The carnival season concludes with the Carnival Tuesday Parade Esch on Tuesday afternoon — a cozy end before Ash Wednesday.

Carnival in Elsdorf and the Rhein-Erft District

Elsdorf as a Carnival Town

Elsdorf has about 21,000 inhabitants, spread across 12 districts. Seven of these districts organize their own carnival parade — this is one of the highest densities of carnival parades in Germany. Each parade has its own prince, its own triumvirate, and its own identity.

Rhein-Erft District as a Carnival Heartland

The Rhein-Erft district (North Rhine-Westphalia) is west of Cologne and belongs to the Rhenish Carnival region — the world's largest carnival region. Frechen, Hürth, Erftstadt, Bedburg, and Elsdorf together form a carnival parade network with mutual visits. The carnival societies are often centuries old, the tradition is alive and deeply rooted in the village structures.

Shooting Festival Notice

For those who want to get to know Elsdorf beyond carnival: the Schützenfest Neu-Etzweiler on July 10th, 2026, at Bürgerhaus Neu-Etzweiler, is the next big summer tradition.