Emmelshausen Carnival Parade

The Emmelshausen Carnival Parade is the annual highlight of the carnival season in the rear Hunsrück. Organized by the Emmelshausen Carnival Club (ECV) e.V., one of the largest and most active carnival clubs in the region, the parade attracts thousands of visitors from all over the Hunsrück and surrounding areas year after year.

Emmelshausen is a young town – it only received town rights in 1969 – and is centrally located in the Hunsrück, between Koblenz and Simmern. Despite its relatively young age as a town, it has developed a strong carnival tradition in which the ECV plays a central role. With over 300 active club members, its own dance troupes, 'Bütt' speakers, and its own carnival session tradition (the "ECV Gala Session"), the club is the driving force behind Emmelshausen's carnival.

The carnival parade traditionally takes place on Carnival Sunday and starts at 2:11 PM. For several hours, it winds its way through Emmelshausen's town center, presenting a colorful mix of floats, dance troupes, music bands, walking groups, and friendly carnival clubs from the Hunsrück.

Each year, the parade is held under its own motto, which inspires the floats and costumes. The motto for 2026 is "The jesters celebrate as known, in the ECV land of plenty" – an allusion to the fairytale land of plenty with overflowing tables and a carefree life. Accordingly, many floats are decorated with oversized food items, feasting motifs, and 'Schlaraffenland' figures.

Local clubs – from the fire department to sports clubs, schools, and kindergartens – participate in the parade, as do friendly carnival societies from Boppard, Kastellaun, Simmern, and other Hunsrück towns. Sweets, 'Strüssjer' (small bouquets), and small giveaways are thrown from the floats into the cheering crowd.

Following the parade, the grand after-parade party takes place, where participants and visitors celebrate together late into the night. Several festival tents and clubhouses provide ample space, carnival music, live bands, and food.