Inthronisation of the Carnival Prince Couple Hof
Solemn handover of the city keys by the Hof Prince Couple Claudia I. and Frank II.
About Narhalla-Inthronisation Hof
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Start of the Carnival Season in Hof
In Hof an der Saale, the carnival season traditionally begins on the first weekend of the new year with the solemn Inthronisation of the Prince Couple. The organizer is the 1st Hof Carnival Society Narhalla – the oldest and largest carnival society in the city. The Inthronisation is one of the most important social events of the year and regularly fills the festival hall of the Freiheitshalle Hof.
Prince Couple 2026: Claudia I. and Frank II.
For the 2026 carnival season, Prince Frank II. and Princess Claudia I. reign. They represent the Narhalla at all events of the season – from prince balls and children's sessions to the Rose Monday parade.
Handover of the City Keys
The highlight of the ceremony is the symbolic handover of the city keys and the city treasury: Mayor Eva Döhla hands over the insignia to the Prince Couple – the Narhalla rules the city of Hof until Ash Wednesday. This satirical takeover of power is a classic element of both Rhenish and Franconian carnival.
Brezenorden
As part of the Inthronisation, the Brezenorden is also awarded – the highest honor of the Hof Narhalla. It goes to personalities who have made special contributions to Hof carnival.
Hof – Carnival Stronghold in Upper Franconia
After Würzburg, Hof an der Saale is the second most important carnival stronghold in Bavaria north of the Danube. With several carnival societies, prince balls, children's sessions, and a large Rose Monday parade, the city cultivates a distinct Franconian-Thuringian carnival tradition. The Narhalla, with its Elferrat, dance guard, and Prince Couple, is the central carrier of this culture.
Season Highlights
Following the Inthronisation, there will be several prince balls, children's sessions, and champagne receptions, as well as the Rose Monday parade on February 16, 2026, through the Hof city center. The Inthronisation is the first public highlight of a carnival season lasting around six weeks.
Narhalla-Inthronisation Hof — edition 2026
On Sunday, January 4, 2026, starting at 2:00 PM, the 1st Hof Carnival Society Narhalla will open the 2026 carnival season in the festival hall of the Freiheitshalle. The ceremony begins with the entrance of the Prince Couple, the Elferrat, and the dance guard.
The highlight is the symbolic handover of the city keys and the city treasury by Mayor Eva Döhla to Prince Frank II. and Princess Claudia I.. With this, the Narhalla takes over the symbolic rule of the city of Hof for the coming weeks – until Ash Wednesday on February 18, 2026.
Subsequently, the traditional Narhalla Brezenorden will be awarded to personalities who have made special contributions to Hof carnival.
Programme Narhalla-Inthronisation Hof 2026
Schedule — Sunday, January 4, 2026
- 2:00 PM — Entrance of the Prince Couple, the Elferrat, and the dance groups into the festival hall
- Welcome by the President of the 1st Hof Narhalla
- Performance by the guard dance groups
- Handover of the city keys and the city treasury by Mayor Eva Döhla to Prince Frank II. and Princess Claudia I.
- Inthronisation speech by the Prince Couple
- Awarding of the Brezenorden to deserving personalities of Hof carnival
- Social gathering and champagne reception
Season Preview
Following the Inthronisation, several prince balls and children's sessions of the Narhalla will take place in the coming weeks. The highlight of the season is the Rose Monday parade on February 16, 2026, through the Hof city center.
Highlights Narhalla-Inthronisation Hof 2026
- Handover of the city keys by Mayor Eva Döhla
- Prince Frank II. and Princess Claudia I. as rulers of the season
- Awarding of the Brezenorden – Narhalla's highest honor
- Entrance of the Elferrat and dance groups
- Festival hall of the Freiheitshalle Hof
- Free admission
Prices Narhalla-Inthronisation Hof 2026
Free admission. Special rates apply for other Narhalla season events (prince balls, sessions, Rose Monday parade) – information from the 1st Hof Carnival Society Narhalla.
Practical information — Narhalla-Inthronisation Hof
Getting There
The Freiheitshalle is located at Kulmbacher Straße 4, 95030 Hof. By car: A9 (Berlin–Munich), exit Hof/Töpen. By train: Hof station, from there a short walk or by bus. Approx. 1 km from the station to the Freiheitshalle.
Admission
Free admission for the Inthronisation. For other events of the carnival season (prince balls, sessions), tickets are available through the 1st Hof Carnival Society Narhalla.
Dress Code
For the Inthronisation: festive, preferably with carnival orders, masks, or tailcoats. Carnival attire – from elegant to fun – is welcome.
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Where it takes place Narhalla-Inthronisation Hof
Festsaal der Freiheitshalle Hof
Kulmbacher Straße 4, 95030 Hof