Jeck op de Strüch — Karneval Open Air im Sommer

Jeck op de Strüch — Kölscher Karneval in High Summer

Rhineland Carnival traditions are classically limited to February and early March — Tulpensonntag, Rosenmontag, Veilchendienstag. However, in recent years, a seemingly paradoxical tradition has taken hold in some Carnival strongholds around Cologne: Carnival in the summer. The Strücher Karnevalsgesellschaft from Königswinter is one of the pioneers of this movement. With "Jeck op de Strüch", they bring Carnival classics, party songs, and show acts to the open-air stage — right in the middle of June.

When: Saturday, June 20, 2026

The date is Saturday, June 20, 2026, from late afternoon until late at night. The exact time and stage program will be announced by the Strücher Karnevalsgesellschaft before the event.

Open-Air Stage Königswinter-Thomasberg

The venue is Königswinter-Thomasberg — a district of Königswinter east of the city, at the foot of the Siebengebirge. Here, on an open stage, Carnival spirit is brought into the summer: Kölsch beer and cold drinks flow, dance music blares, Carnival classics ("Mer losse d'r Dom in Kölle", "Viva Colonia", etc.) alternate with party hits and Schlager.

Program — Classics, Schlager, Show Acts

The concept is clear:

• Carnival classics from the Rhenish-Westphalian canon (Bläck Fööss, Höhner, Brings, Kasalla, Cat Ballou)
• Party songs and Schlager for the younger generation
• Show acts and performances by the Strüch dance troupes and Carnival speakers
• DJ sets between live performances

Family Atmosphere

Unlike the big city Carnival strongholds, "Jeck op de Strüch" is a family-friendly neighborhood festival. The audience knows each other, many Strüch residents come annually — Carnival here is not just a seasonal custom, but year-round club life. Those traveling in the Bergisches Land or Niederrhein region in the summer can experience a contrast to the classic open-air festival here: no indie bands, but Kölsche Tön and dancing in a festival tent style.

Königswinter and Thomasberg — Siebengebirge at Your Doorstep

Königswinter is a medium-sized town in the Rhein-Sieg district, on the right bank of the Rhine opposite Bonn-Bad Godesberg. With around 41,000 inhabitants, the city is spread across the Rhine bank with the Drachenfelsbahn and the heights of the Siebengebirge. Thomasberg is located in the eastern part of the city, somewhat elevated, with a view of the mountain landscape. Before Carnival, a hike in the Siebengebirge is recommended — to the Drachenfels, to the Petersberg summit, or to the Löwenburg.

Strücher Karnevalsgesellschaft — The Driving Force

The Strücher Karnevalsgesellschaft is one of Königswinter's Carnival clubs. "Strüch" is the Kölsch-Rhineland pronunciation for "Strücher" — the residents of Königswinter-Thomasberg. The club organizes classic sessions in February, and for several years now, the summer format Jeck op de Strüch — an extension of the Carnival year into the summer half-year.