Name: Gaudiwurm Töpen 2026
Start: 2026-02-08T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-02-08T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Ortsdurchfahrt Töpen und Turnhalle Königshofstraße 1

Gaudiwurm Töpen

About Gaudiwurm Töpen

The Gaudiwurm Töpen is one of the largest carnival parades in the entire Hof region. On Sunday, February 8, 2026, around 500 participants in 31 groups will parade through the small village on the edge of the Franconian Forest — with elaborately designed costumes such as walking cocktails, flame outfits, poker aces, floats, music bands, and carnival societies from all over the region. Hundreds of spectators line Königshofstraße. Organized by the Carnival Society (KaGe) Töpen, the Gaudiwurm is a highlight of the Upper Franconian carnival season.

Dates 08 Feb — 08 Feb 2026

Venue Töpen (09475)

Prices Free

Status Finished

Edition 2026

Gaudiwurm Töpen — edition 2026

The Gaudiwurm Töpen 2026 took place on Sunday, February 8 — one of the largest carnival parades in the Hof region. 500 participants in 31 groups with elaborately designed costumes (walking cocktails, flame outfits, poker aces) and floats paraded through Königshofstraße. Hundreds of spectators lined the route. Organized by the Carnival Society (KaGe) Töpen.

The Gaudiwurm Töpen 2026 was once again among the largest and most creative carnival parades in Hof and the Upper Franconia region. On Sunday, February 8, 2026, the parade formed in the early afternoon and marched through Königshofstraße, the central street of the small village.

With 500 participants in 31 groups, the 2026 edition was again impressive — a remarkable mobilization for a community of 740 inhabitants. The variety of costumes was a trademark: walking cocktails, flame outfits, poker aces, and dozens of other themed groups. Floats from local clubs, music bands, and carnival societies from all over the region formed the core. Afterwards, a carnival party was held in the gymnasium at Königshofstraße 1.

Highlights Gaudiwurm Töpen 2026

500 participants in 31 groups, creative handmade costumes (walking cocktails, flame outfits, poker aces), carnival parade through Königshofstraße in a small Hof district village, followed by a carnival party in the gymnasium. Authentic Upper Franconian carnival tradition.

Programme Gaudiwurm Töpen 2026

Gaudiwurm Töpen — Sunday, February 8, 2026

Program

Morning — Preparation of floats and assembly of participant groups at the meeting point
Afternoon — Grand Carnival Parade through Königshofstraße: 500 participants in 31 groups, floats, traditional costume groups, music bands, carnival societies from the region
Themed costumes of the groups (examples 2026): walking cocktails, flame outfits, poker aces, film characters, political satire
After the parade — Carnival party in the gymnasium Königshofstraße 1 with live music and dancing

Organizer

Carnival Society (KaGe) Töpen
Organized in close cooperation with local clubs and with the support of the municipality of Töpen

Photo gallery and reports on the 2026 parade on frankenpost.de and via hof-programm.de.

Prices Gaudiwurm Töpen 2026

Admission to the carnival parade is free. Food and drink stalls along the route and in the gymnasium at fixed prices. Carnival party in the gymnasium afterwards, possibly with admission fee.

Practical information

Practical information — Gaudiwurm Töpen

Getting There

Töpen is located about 15 km north of Hof. By car via the A72 (exit Hof-Nord) or A9 (exit Naila). By train to Hof main station, then by bus or taxi. Parking available in the village, the main road will be closed during the parade.

Admission

Admission to the carnival parade is free. Food and drinks available at stalls along the route and in the gymnasium. Carnival party afterwards in the gymnasium (admission may require a ticket).

Tips

Wear warm carnival clothing (layers) — February is cold, and the parade lasts over an hour in the open air. Carnival costumes are highly encouraged, many spectators also come in costume. Arrive early, as the main road will be closed during the parade.

A Carnival Parade of Considerable Size

Töpen is a municipality with just under 740 inhabitants in the Hof district, on the border between Bavaria and Thuringia. One of the smallest villages in the region — but with one of the largest carnival parades. The Gaudiwurm Töpen is regionally known and attracts carnival societies from all over the Upper Franconian and Thuringian surroundings every year. 500 participants in 31 groups are standard — an extraordinary mobilization for a community of this size.

The Carnival Society (KaGe) Töpen

The organizer is the Carnival Society (KaGe) Töpen, a traditional carnival society that organizes events throughout the year. The highlight, however, is Carnival Sunday with the grand parade, which winds its way through Königshofstraße and culminates in a carnival party in front of the gymnasium (Königshofstraße 1).

Creative Costumes as a Trademark

What makes the Gaudiwurm Töpen special is the creative originality of the costumes and floats. According to reports, walking cocktails, flame outfits, poker aces, and dozens of other elaborate themed groups were spotted at the 2026 parade. Unlike many larger carnival parades where mass costumes dominate, the Töpener Gaudiwurm focuses on handmade, unique productions. Floats are individually built and decorated by clubs and families in the weeks leading up to the parade.

Upper Franconian Carnival Tradition

The Upper Franconian carnival is different from the Cologne or Mainz Carnival — smaller, more village-like, more traditional. In the Hof district villages, Carnival Sunday is organized by families and clubs, less so by professional carnival societies. The Gaudiwurm Töpen is a perfect representative of this tradition — grassroots, creative, and supported by volunteers. Admission to the parade is free, followed by a carnival party in the gymnasium.

Töpen and the Northern Franconian Forest

Töpen is located in the extreme north of the Hof district, directly on the former inner-German border with Thuringia. The landscape here is rugged, hilly, crisscrossed by forests and small streams. Visitors to the Gaudiwurm can combine the day with a hike in the Franconian Forest or a visit to Hof. In February, the weather is usually wintry — the carnival joy against a snow-covered backdrop has a special charm.