Name: Genderkinger Gaudiwurm (Faschingsumzug) 2026
Start: 2026-02-14T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-02-14T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Ortskern Genderkingen

Gaudiwurm Genderkingen

About Gaudiwurm Genderkingen

The Genderkinger Gaudiwurm is one of the most traditional carnival parades in the Swabian Donau-Ries region. Every year on Shrove Saturday, the colourful procession of carnival floats, guards, and music bands winds its way through the Upper Bavarian-Swabian Danube village. The event is organised by the Genderkinger Faschings-Freunde e.V., active since 1998. Afterwards, the village celebrates with a big afterparty.

Dates 14 Feb — 14 Feb 2026

Venue Genderkingen (09779)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Gaudiwurm Genderkingen — edition 2026

On Shrove Saturday, February 14, 2026, the Genderkinger Faschings-Freunde e.V. invites you to the grand Gaudiwurm carnival parade through Genderkingen. The session's theme is "Magical Worlds". Following the parade, the village celebrates with a grand afterparty in the local pubs and marquees.

The Genderkinger Gaudiwurm 2026 takes place on Saturday, February 14, 2026 in the centre of Genderkingen. The event is organised by the Genderkinger Faschings-Freunde e.V. under the leadership of Udo Heininger.

The session theme "Magical Worlds" inspires groups, float builders, schools, and clubs from the Donau-Ries and the entire region to create imaginative costumes and floats. As every year, thousands of spectators are expected along the parade route.

Highlights Gaudiwurm Genderkingen 2026

Session theme "Magical Worlds"
Grand carnival parade through the village centre
Guards, music bands, and artful floats
Subsequent afterparty in the pubs
One of the largest carnival parades in the Donau-Ries

Programme Gaudiwurm Genderkingen 2026

Schedule on Shrove Saturday

Before 2:00 PM — Assembly of floats and walking groups at the gathering point
Approx. 2:30 PM — Start of the Gaudiwurm parade through the centre of Genderkingen (similar to previous years' schedule)
After parade ends — Grand afterparty in the surrounding pubs and marquees

Participants and Floats

Guards, music bands, schools, and private groups from the entire Donau-Ries and neighbouring districts parade through the village with artfully decorated floats and walking groups. The current parade line-up and information will be published at least 14 days in advance on the website of the Genderkinger Faschings-Freunde.

Prices Gaudiwurm Genderkingen 2026

Watching the parade from the roadside is free. Local prices apply for the afterparty in the pubs.

Practical information

Practical information — Gaudiwurm Genderkingen

Getting There

By car via the B 16 or the A 8, exit Donauwörth. By train to Donauwörth, then by bus.

Admission

Admission for spectators is free. For the afterparty in the pubs, local prices apply and sometimes admission fees.

Registration for Participant Groups

Anyone wishing to participate in the parade with a group or float should register via umzugs-anmeldung.de. Information and the "General Decree" will be published at least 14 days before the event.

Carnival Tradition in the Donau-Ries

When the guards march in Genderkingen on Shrove Saturday, one of the largest and most popular carnival parades in the Swabian Donau-Ries district begins. The Gaudiwurm — in Swabian dialect, the "funny worm" — is both the programme name and the symbol: a colourful, kilometre-long carnival procession that winds through the entire village. The event is organised by the Genderkinger Faschings-Freunde e.V., a carnival club active since 1998, which organises the parade on a voluntary basis.

Magical Worlds — The 2025/26 Session

Each carnival session has its own theme. For the 2025/2026 session, the Genderkinger Faschings-Freunde have announced the theme "Magical Worlds". Participating clubs, schools, businesses, and private groups from the region will embrace the theme in their floats and costumes — from wizards and dragons to fantastic legendary figures.

Course of the Gaudiwurm

The carnival parade starts on Shrove Saturday (2026: Saturday, February 14th) in the centre of Genderkingen. Guards, music bands, spectators in costume, and floats with political satire parade through the village streets — accompanied by the obligatory "Helau!" and a shower of sweets thrown into the crowd. Afterwards, the village celebrates with a big afterparty in the surrounding pubs and marquees.

Genderkingen on the Danube

Genderkingen is located on the right bank of the Danube in the Donaumoos, about 12 km east of Donauwörth in the Swabian part of Bavaria. Despite its relatively small population, Genderkingen is one of the carnival strongholds of Northern Swabia — a typical example of the Swabian-Alemannic carnival region, where individual villages maintain carnival traditions with supra-regional appeal. A visit to the Gaudiwurm can be ideally combined with a walk along the Danube or a trip to Donauwörth.