HMJ — 3×11 Years Anniversary Festival Leverkusen-Hitdorf

HMJ — 33 Years of Karnevalsgesellschaft Hetdörper Mädche un Junge

In Rhenish Carnival, club anniversaries hold a special significance — and the most wonderful occasion is the '3×11' anniversary (33 years), which the Karnevalsgesellschaft Hetdörper Mädche un Junge v. 93 e.V. (short HMJ) in Leverkusen's Hitdorf district will reach in 2026. From June 12th to 14th, 2026, HMJ will celebrate with three festival evenings in the Stadthalle Hitdorf — deliberately outside the actual session, because in February the entire Carnival world is in full swing and anniversary celebrations would get lost there.

Why 3×11 Years Are Important

In Rhenish Carnival, the number 11 is sacred — the session begins on 11.11. at 11:11 AM, session presidents have 11-member committees, and all important anniversaries are celebrated in 11-year increments: 1×11 years (11), 2×11 (22), 3×11 (33), 4×11 (44), 5×11 (55), 6×11 (66). A '3×11' anniversary means: the club has survived its founding generation, a second generation is taking over, the club has consolidated. It is the first 'adult' anniversary for a Carnival club.

HMJ — Hetdörper Mädche un Junge: Context

HMJ was founded in 1993 in Leverkusen-Hitdorf — a district on the Rhine that was an independent municipality until 1975 and today belongs to Leverkusen, but maintains its local identity as 'Hetdörp' (Hitdorf in Rhenish dialect) to this day. The club name 'Hetdörper Mädche un Junge' — literally: 'Hitdorf Girls and Boys' — expresses this local identity. HMJ is one of the central Carnival societies in northern Leverkusen and organizes the Hitdorf Carnival sessions, children's Carnival, Carnival parade, and club evenings.

Program 2026 — Three Festival Evenings

Friday, June 12th, 2026 — Anniversary Dance Evening

The kickoff is intergenerational: DJ Manfred will ensure dance floor atmosphere, and the bands Stadtrand and Eldorado will play live covers and Rhenish Carnival classics. Admission: €18. The evening is aimed at club members, friends of HMJ, and all Hitdorf Carnival fans.

Saturday, June 13th, 2026 — Rhenish Carnival Evening

The key evening of the weekend is a classic Rhenish Carnival session with comedians, stage speakers, dance troupes, and musical contributions. The session president will guide the evening according to classic Rhenish ritual — especially festive for an anniversary and with guest appearances from other Leverkusen Carnival clubs. Admission: €35 — and the evening is already sold out after the program was announced (as of May 2026). Those without a ticket can hope for a waiting list.

Sunday, June 14th, 2026 — Anniversary Matinee

Sunday is more family-oriented and relaxed. A matinee with music, speeches, awards for deserving club members, and a shared meal will conclude the weekend with a warm feeling of club life. Admission: €18.

Stadthalle Hitdorf — Clubhouse for Carnival

The Stadthalle Hitdorf at Hitdorfer Straße 113 has been the heart of Hitdorf's club scene for decades — the hall accommodates several hundred people, the stage is designed for Carnival sessions, and the bar is equipped for the Rhenish tradition of 'drink-intensive' Carnival evenings. Hitdorf is located directly on the Rhine, between Leverkusen-Mitte and Köln-Worringen.

Leverkusen-Hitdorf — Historic Rhine Village

The district of Hitdorf is the northernmost district of Leverkusen, directly on the Rhine between Leverkusen-Mitte and the border with Köln-Worringen. Formerly an independent municipality until 1975, Hitdorf retains the character of a Rhenish village with a fishing tradition, the historic St. Stefan parish church, the Rhine promenade, and active club life. With HMJ and other Carnival societies, Hitdorf is a vibrant example of how Rhenish district identity is carried by its clubs.