Name: Fastnachtsumzug Dillingen 2026
Start: 2026-02-12T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-02-13T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Hoyerswerdaplatz / Innenstadt Dillingen

Faasendumzug Dillingen

About Faasendumzug Dillingen

The Saarland's 'Faasend' has its strongholds — and Dillingen is one of the most important. On Fat Thursday (Fettdonnerschdaa), floats and walking groups parade through the steel town: from Hoyerswerdaplatz via Merziger Straße and Weinligstraße to the Saardom, then on via Saarstraße towards Pachten. Beforehand, the jesters storm the town hall and depose the mayor. Motto 2026: 'Manege frei!' (The show must go on!). Thousands of costumed revellers from the Saarlouis district and the entire Saarland line the route.

Dates 12 Feb — 13 Feb 2026

Venue Dillingen/Saar (10044)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Faasendumzug Dillingen — edition 2026

The 2026 Dillingen carnival parade takes place on Fat Thursday, February 12, 2026 — with a preceding town hall storming at 2:45 PM. Motto 2026: 'Manege frei!' (The show must go on!). Floats and walking groups assemble from 1 PM on Hoyerswerdaplatz, with a modified route via Merziger Straße, Weinligstraße to the Saardom, and continuing towards Pachten. On Friday, February 13, the Diefflen parade follows in the Diefflen district.

As every year, the Dillingen carnival highlight begins with the traditional town hall storming at 2:45 PM — the jesters storm Dillingen's town hall and loudly herald the main event. Mayor Christian Finkler must symbolically defend his office. Afterwards, the grand parade rolls off.

The motto 'Manege frei!' invites participants to design creative costumes around the themes of circus, ring, and acrobatics. A costume contest will award the best entries. The registration of groups is done online via the City of Dillingen; the costume motto is specified during registration.

Highlights Faasendumzug Dillingen 2026

Motto 2026: 'Manege frei!' (The show must go on!)
Town Hall Storming with Mayor Christian Finkler
Modified parade route via Merziger Straße / Weinligstraße
Costume contest with awards
Two days of 'Faasend': Dillingen on Thu, Diefflen on Fri

Programme Faasendumzug Dillingen 2026

Thursday, February 12, 2026 — 'Fettdonnerschdaa'

1:00 PM — Assembly of floats and walking groups on Hoyerswerdaplatz
2:45 PM — Town Hall Storming in front of Dillingen Town Hall
Afternoon — Grand Carnival Parade
Route: Hoyerswerdaplatz → Merziger Straße → Weinligstraße → Saardom → Saarstraße → Römerhalle Pachten
After the parade — 'Faasend' Party in Römerhalle Pachten

Friday, February 13, 2026 — Diefflen Parade

3:00 PM — Assembly at Diefflen Community Center
4:11 PM — Start of the parade through Diefflen
Organizer: Heimat- und Verkehrsverein Diefflen

Registration for floats and walking groups online via the City's website. Specify costume motto during registration.

Prices Faasendumzug Dillingen 2026

Free admission. Costumes highly recommended.

Practical information

Practical information — Faasendumzug Dillingen

Getting Here by Train

Dillingen (Saar) station on the Saarbrücken–Trier line, right in the city center. Approx. 25 minutes from Saarbrücken. 5 minutes' walk from the station to Hoyerswerdaplatz.

By Car

A8 or A620, exit Dillingen. On 'Faasend' days, there are many road closures along the parade route — arrive early and use P+R.

Admission

Free admission. Cheering, celebrating, and costumes are highly recommended.

On Site

Food and drink stands along the route. If needed, seek shelter from rain in the cafés and restaurants of the city center.

Registration of Floats or Groups

Via the official website of the City of Dillingen. Specify the costume motto during registration; the costume contest takes place during the parade.

Families

'Faasend' is a family affair — children bring bags to collect throwing gifts ('Strüssjer'). Be mindful of crowds along the narrow streets and find a spot early.

Faasend in the Saarland — Own Language, Own Traditions

What is called 'Karneval' in the Rhineland and 'Fasnet' in Swabia is 'Faasend' in the Saarland. Its own language, its own songs, its own customs. Dillingen, the old steel town in the Saarlouis district, is one of the 'Faasend' strongholds of the Saarland. The carnival parade on Fat Thursday — 'Fettdonnerschdaa' in the local dialect — is the central highlight of the festive season.

Town Hall Storming at 2:45 PM

Before the actual parade begins, the traditional prelude takes place: the storming of the town hall. The jesters gather in front of Dillingen's town hall, loudly demand power, and symbolically depose the mayor. Only then does the town hall key grant passage for the main 'Faasend' part. In 2026, Mayor Christian Finkler must defend his office — excitement guaranteed.

The Route — Across the City

The parade forms up from 1 PM on Hoyerswerdaplatz, starts in the early afternoon, and follows a modified route in 2026: from Hoyerswerdaplatz via Merziger Straße, through Weinligstraße to the Saardom, then via Saarstraße towards Pachten. The endpoint is the Römerhalle in the Pachten district, where the post-parade party takes place.

Floats, Walking Groups, Costume Contest

Festively decorated floats with traditional throwing gifts — from candies to roses to small toys — and walking groups with elaborately designed costumes under the motto 'Manege frei!' parade along the route. Carnival clubs from Dillingen and the surrounding area, as well as numerous guest clubs from Saarbrücken, Saarlouis, and nearby Lorraine, participate. A costume contest awards the most creative ideas.

The Diefflen Parade on Friday

Those who want to experience 'Faasend' in its purest form should stay in Dillingen for Friday, February 13, 2026. In the Diefflen district, the local heritage and tourism association organizes its own carnival parade. Assembly at 3 PM, start at 4:11 PM (the jesters' hour!) at the community center. Both parades together make Dillingen the two-day 'Faasend' capital in the Saarlouis district.

Dillingen — Saarland's Steel Town

Dillingen/Saar is located in the Saarlouis district on the Saar river and is characterized by the Dillinger Hütte steelworks — an industrial landmark of the Saarland. With just under 21,000 inhabitants, Dillingen is one of the medium-sized towns in the state. The close connection between industrial tradition, club life, and customs makes the town an ideal location for 'Faasend'.