Kappessonntagszug Neuss

Kappessonntag – Neuss Carnival's Unique Event

Carnival on a Sunday instead of Rosenmontag? This is a tradition in Neuss. The Kappessonntagszug – "Kappessonntag" for short – always takes place on the Sunday before Rosenmontag and is the highlight of the Neuss carnival season. The name derives from Neuss 'Kappes' (white cabbage) – the traditional crop of the Lower Rhine plain that has shaped Neuss for centuries. The people of Neuss are the Kappes-Boore – the cabbage farmers.

Date 2026: Sunday, February 15 – 1:11 PM

The 2026 edition starts on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at 1:11 PM – the carnival hour with the famous Elferrat (council of eleven) code. The assembly point is at the corner of Oberstraße / Augustinusstraße, the route leads via Oberstraße – Markt – city center and ends after approximately 4 km.

30 Floats, 2,500 Participants

The parade consists of around 30 richly decorated floats, plus walking groups from Neuss carnival societies, dance corps, music bands, and drum corps. A total of around 2,500 participants take part in the parade. The floats are traditionally designed satirically – local politics, federal politics, and social issues are addressed and parodied on the floats. Plenty of Kamelle (sweets) and Strüßje (small bouquets) are thrown.

Karnevalsausschuss Neuss

The organizer is the Karnevalsausschuss Neusser Karnevalsvereine 1976 e.V. (KA Neuss) – the umbrella organization of all Neuss carnival societies. KA coordinates the float builders, participants, route, and logistics. Parade director is Ralf Dienel – the central figure on the event day.

Stops Along the Route

The parade route leads through the heart of Neuss: Oberstraße – Zollstraße – Friedrichstraße – Breite Straße – city center – and finally dissolves at the Markt. Best spots: between Quirinus-Münster and the Town Hall. Arrive early to see the most – the first floats will pass from 1:30 PM onwards.

Neuss as a Carnival Hub on the Lower Rhine

Compared to nearby Düsseldorf and Cologne, the Neuss carnival is less boisterous but just as rich in tradition. The Neuss carnival societies cultivate a civic, more family-oriented understanding of carnival. Famous are the society meetings during the winter months, the gala sessions in the Stadthalle, and of course, the proclamation of the prince. The Kappessonntagszug is the icing on the cake of the season.

Neuss Traditions Live On

Even though Düsseldorf parades three days later on Rosenmontag: The Neuss carnival is independent and proud of its own date. Kappessonntag is a tradition that is not moved. Anyone who wants to experience Neuss during the carnival season should come on February 15, 2026.