Fastnachtsumzug Honzrath

Saarland Carnival — Honzrath Style

While Cologne and Mainz attract media attention for Carnival, the Saarland cultivates its own variant: Fastnacht. It is village-focused, club-based, and revolves around the term Faasenacht. Honzrath, one of the eleven districts of the municipality of Beckingen in the Merzig-Wadern district, is one of its strongholds.

Carnival Friday Parade

Unlike Dudweiler or Rentrisch, which hold their major parades on Carnival Sunday or Monday, Honzrath has embraced Carnival Friday. The date is a weekday — and that's precisely what gives the parade its special atmosphere: pupils, trainees, and employees come directly from their daily lives, families flock to the route with children, and the village puts aside its work mode for a few hours.

Route Through the Entire Village

Assembly begins at 2 PM at the Sportcentrum Zur Hellwies. At 3:11 PM — the time is carnival code — the procession sets off. The route leads through Im Nachtweg, Honzrather Straße, and Merchinger Straße to the Alte Volksschule, where the parade dissolves around 6 PM.

Garde Groups, Floats, and Private Groups

The event is organized by the Spielgemeinschaft Honzrath (Honzrath Play Association) together with the local council. Registered dance groups, decorated floats from private groups, music clubs, and costumed walking groups can participate. The local clubs — sports club, fire brigade, carnival associations — set up refreshment stands serving mulled wine, fries, and Schwenkbraten (a regional grilled pork specialty).

"Buntes Treiben" After the Parade

After the parade dissolves, the Buntes Treiben opens in the Alte Volksschule and in the surrounding venues: live music, DJ sets, dance floors. The Beckingen carnivalists and their guests celebrate deep into the night — until Saturday morning when the Faasenacht sessions continue and Sunday and Monday see the parades in the other Beckingen districts.