Fastnacht Gaggenau — Großer Fasentumzug Bad Rotenfels

Swabian-Alemannic Fastnacht in the Murg Valley

Gaggenau is located in the Rastatt district (state of Baden-Württemberg) in the Murg valley on the northern edge of the Black Forest — a region belonging to the Alemannic linguistic and cultural zone, and thus the home of the Swabian-Alemannic Fastnacht. This form of Fastnacht — with its carved wooden masks, traditional Häs (carnival costume), and the customs of witches, devils, and wild men — is significantly older and more original than the Rhenish Carnival and is considered intangible cultural heritage.

Bad Rotenfels — The Highlight

The district of Bad Rotenfels (approx. 6,000 inhabitants) is the venue for the largest of Gaggenau's several Fastnacht processions. On Shrove Saturday, February 14, 2026, the procession will start around 2:00 PM. The route leads through Eichelbergstraße, Hindenburgstraße, Mühlstraße, and Markgraf-Wilhelm-Straße to the Festhalle. During the procession (11:00 AM to approx. 6:30 PM), Bad Rotenfels is closed to through traffic.

Around 100 Groups — Häs, Witches, Music Bands

Around 100 Fastnacht groups from the northern Black Forest, the Murg valley, Alsace, and the Swiss border region participate in the procession. Typical figures of the Alemannic Fastnacht include: Schuddig (red masked figures), Hexen (witches) with long straw brooms, Teufel (devils), and Wildmänner (wild men), as well as numerous Hästräger (costumed figures) with carved wooden masks and embroidered costumes. Music bands playing Guggemusik (loud, off-key marching music), drummer groups, and dance troupes accompany the parade. Spectators lining the streets are showered with candy, chocolate, and Swabian pretzels.

The Entire Fastnacht Week in Gaggenau

The Bad Rotenfels procession is just one of several during Gaggenau's Fastnacht week:

• Wed 11.02.2026, from 5:00 PM — Narrenbaumsetzen (setting up the jester's tree) and small procession in Bad Rotenfels (Old School to former Town Hall)
• Sat 14.02.2026, 2:00 PM — Großer Fasentumzug Bad Rotenfels (Main Event)
• Sun 15.02.2026, 2:11 PM — International Fastnacht procession in Hörden (with Swiss and Alsatian guest groups)
• Tue 17.02.2026, approx. 1:30 PM — Fastnacht procession in Ottenau (Rudolf-Harbig-Straße, Josef-Vogt-Straße, Brahms-Straße)
• Tue 17.02.2026, 7:30 PM–9:30 PM — Fasentverbrennung (burning of the Fastnacht effigy) in Bad Rotenfels (Rathausstraße)

After-Party in the Festhalle

After the procession, the Fastnacht festivities move to the Festhalle Bad Rotenfels. Here, costumed groups, music bands, and guests continue the celebration late into the night — with Guggemusik, dancing, swaying, and plenty of Baden hospitality.