Gala WUPP-DI-KA Wuppertal

Carnival in the Concert Hall — The Wuppertal Version

While Cologne and Düsseldorf send out their parades on Rose Monday, the Wuppertal version of Carnival goes its own way: once per session, the city celebrates a grand Carnival gala in one of the acoustically and architecturally most beautiful halls in Germany — the Historische Stadthalle Wuppertal. On Tuesday, February 10, 2026, it all kicks off again from 3:00 PM (doors open 2:30 PM): the Gala WUPP-DI-KA.

Session Motto 2025/2026: "Even Wuppertal can Carnival!"

The session motto gets straight to the point with self-irony: "Even Wuppertal can Carnival!" The fact that the Bergisches Land region is not part of the classic Rhenish Carnival axis of Cologne–Bonn–Düsseldorf is transformed here into a sense of pride. The gala is more compact, less noisy, but with the splendor of the historic concert hall architecture — Carnival with a dress code, so to speak.

The 2026 Program

The opening at 3:00 PM is by Stephan Grell, a Carnival institution in the Bergisches Land region for many years. He is accompanied by Jürgen's Timeless Band, who musically guide through the afternoon. This is followed by the satirical Büttenrede by Achnes Kasulke — Wuppertal local color in rhyme.

Musically, the party cover band Brass on Spass takes the stage, creating a lively atmosphere with their brass section. Two further highlights: Michael „Howie” Freiburg as a Howard Carpendale impersonator and Tim Berger, who presents Carnival classics and sing-along songs. The approximately 600 seats guarantee an intimate atmosphere, far from the mass events of the Carnival strongholds.

Historische Stadthalle Wuppertal — One of Germany's Most Beautiful Venues

The Historische Stadthalle opened in 1900 and is internationally recognized as one of the best concert halls. The Carnival gala in this setting is a deliberate provocation: confetti and candy in the neoclassical Great Hall with marble and gilded stucco. The contrast is what gives it its charm.

Tickets and Admission

Three price categories: €29 / €24 / €19. The price includes a €5 voucher for drinks and food on site. Mandatory cloakroom service for fire safety reasons, for a fee.

Wuppertal Celebrates: 600 Revellers in the Suspension Railway City

Wuppertal, with its nearly 360,000 inhabitants, is not a classic Carnival city — the suspension railway, Pina Bausch, and Friedrich Engels shape its image far more strongly. That's precisely why Gala WUPP-DI-KA is so popular: it's the opportunity to celebrate Carnival "here too" once a year, without having to travel to Cologne or Düsseldorf.