Großer Fasnetumzug Villingen

Villinger Fasnet — 442 Years of Swabian-Alemannic Tradition

When the carnival cry "Narri-Narro!” echoes through the alleys of the historic city center of Villingen in February, one of Southern Germany's oldest and most intense carnival traditions begins. The Historische Narrozunft Villingen 1584 is the second oldest carnival guild in the Swabian-Alemannic region and the custodian of a tradition recognized as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. From February 15th to 17th, 2026, you will experience the full spectrum of this unique folk custom.

Program 2026 — Three Days of High Carnival

Sunday, February 15th, 2026 — Historic Parade from 8:45 AM

The Historic Parade of the Narrozunft is the heart of the Villinger Fasnet. Starting in the early morning hours from 8:45 AM, the main figures — the Narro (fabric costume with hand-painted wooden mask), the Surheber, the Stachi, the Wuescht, the Altvillinger Couple, and the Butzesel — parade through the four main streets of the old town: Niederestraße, Färberstraße, Bickenstraße, and Obere Straße. The hand-carved wooden masks with their characteristic expressions are artistic and have been passed down through generations.

Tuesday, February 17th, 2026 — Grand Procession of Guilds 1:30 PM

On Shrove Tuesday at 1:30 PM, the Grand Procession of Guilds follows, featuring carnival guilds from the entire Swabian-Alemannic region. Hundreds of costumed figures parade through the city center — from Villingen's Stachi and Surheber to Rottweil's Schantle, Elzach's Schuttig, Triberg's Hexen, and Wolfach's Hechtkleidlen.

The Narrozunft 1584 — Oldest Organized Carnival Guild

The history of the Historische Narrozunft Villingen dates back to 1584 according to official records. The Villinger Fasnet was first mentioned then — and the central figures have been preserved in almost unchanged form ever since. This is unique in Southern Germany and the reason why the Villinger Fasnet is recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Unlike the Rhenish carnival form, the focus here is not primarily on fun, but on a ritualized, often almost meditative folk custom with clear rules, traditional sayings, and a hierarchical gallery of figures.

Villingen-Schwenningen in the Schwarzwald-Baar District

With around 90,000 inhabitants, Villingen-Schwenningen is the largest city in the Schwarzwald-Baar district and a central hub between the Black Forest and the Swabian Jura. The historic old town of Villingen with its city gates, minster, and market square provides a perfect backdrop for the Fasnet. The second district, Schwenningen, is about 8 km east and celebrates its own Fasnet tradition.