Fastnachtsumzug Neustadt an der Weinstraße Carnival Parade

The Grand Fastnacht Parade Neustadt is the highlight of the Palatinate Fastnacht calendar in the Neustadt an der Weinstraße region. It will be held on Fastnacht Sunday, February 15, 2026, starting at 2:11 PM, through Neustadt city centre. The start time "2:11 PM" is not a coincidence – it is the carnival symbolic time "eleven-eleven" and stands for the jester tradition of German Carnival.

The Palatinate Fastnacht has its own Rhenish-Palatinate flavour: Unlike the strictly Catholic Rhenish Carnival (Mainz, Cologne, Düsseldorf), the Palatinate Fastnacht has a somewhat more folksy-rural character, with less emphasis on grand seated events and more on street carnival and local clubs.

The Fastnacht parade is the central public event. Clubs, schools, carnival societies, and private groups march through the city centre with decorated floats, walking groups, and music – typical themes include Palatinate local politics, parodies of current events, and of course, classic carnival motifs.

Following the parade, the Aftershow Party with DJ Torti in the festival tent will take place – a proven party event that lets the festive day wind down late into the night. Those who want to enjoy the day to the fullest can also attend the Sunday evening events of the local carnival clubs after the parade and party.

The entire Carnival Programme in Neustadt 2026 spans the long weekend from February 13 to 16:

• Friday, February 13, 2026, 8 PM – Live band "First Beat" as the festival opening.
• Saturday, February 14, 2026 – Children's Carnival in the festival tent.
• Sunday, February 15, 2026, 2:11 PM – Grand Fastnacht Parade + Aftershow.
• Monday, February 16, 2026 – Rose Monday with Palatinate traditional events.

The carnival programme is organised by the Neustadt Carnival Club e.V., a traditional Palatinate carnival club. Admission to the Fastnacht parade is free; individual hall events and the aftershow party may be subject to a charge.