Grand Gala Session of the Hillesheim Carnival Club 1951 e.V. in the Markthalle on February 7, 2026, from 7:11 PM
The grand Gala Session of the Hillesheim Carnival Club 1951 e.V. on February 7, 2026, is the thematic highlight of the 2026 Hillesheim carnival season. Precisely at 7:11 PM, the Markthalle Hillesheim will be filled with carnival-goers ('Närrinnen und Narren') from the Gerolsteiner Land, the Vulkaneifel, and beyond. The session continues an unbroken tradition dating back to 1951 – the club is one of the oldest carnival organizations in the northern Eifel.
The backbone of the program is formed by the club's four dance groups, representing all age categories: children's, youth, adult, and veteran dance formations will perform one after another, each with choreography rehearsed specifically for the season. Dance technique, costumes, and music selection have been prepared over months – the dance troupes are a hallmark of the Hillesheim Carnival Club.
Characteristic of the Hillesheim Gala Session are the witty speeches ('Büttenreden'), which humorously comment on local Hillesheim events. Politics, clubs, local issues, and personalities are satirized – a tradition maintained for generations in Rhenish-Eifel carnival. The speakers are often club members themselves and know Hillesheim's peculiarities firsthand. For outsiders, some allusions may be puzzling, but the laughter of the locals is part of the charm.
The Markthalle Hillesheim is the central event venue in the town and has been the main location for major carnival formats for years. For the Gala Session, the hall is equipped with a stage, seating, and festive decorations. The hall's capacity makes the session a large-scale event – advance ticket purchase is therefore highly recommended, with many tickets already sold at the carnival 'Frühschoppen' (morning pint) on January 11. The following day (February 8) features the children's carnival in the same hall, making the carnival weekend the club's session highlight.
The Gala Session is a four- to five-hour evening event with several program blocks and intermissions. Starting at 7:11 PM with the entry of the troupes and the court, followed by program blocks of dance, witty speeches, and music.
The exact hourly schedule, the order of dance performances, and the speakers will be communicated by the club in advance. Club members and carnival friends usually organize table reservations.
The exact 2026 program will be published by the organizer in spring/summer. The structure follows the proven key points of previous years:
Admission prices and ticket presales will be announced by the Hillesheim Carnival Club – early reservation recommended.
Saturday, February 7, 2026, from 7:11 PM.
Markthalle Hillesheim, 54576 Hillesheim/Eifel.
Hillesheim Carnival Club 1951 e.V.
Ticket presale via the club (also at the carnival 'Frühschoppen' on Jan 11). Early reservation recommended, as the session is usually sold out.
By car via the A1 (exit Daun or Gerolstein) and the B421/B257. Train to Gerolstein or Daun, then by bus.
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