Karneval Alfter

Carnival in the Vorgebirge

The Vorgebirge — the low hill range between the Rhine and the Eifel — is one of Germany's most densely populated carnival regions. Alfter, with its four districts of Alfter-Ort, Impekoven, Volmershoven-Heidgen, and Witterschlick, has a special carnival tradition: each district organizes its own parade, resulting in five processions within the municipality spread over two weeks. This compact arrangement is rarely found in the Rhineland, where a central parade usually dominates each city; here, carnival diversity is preserved in a small-town context.

The Five Carnival Parades 2026

February 1, 2026 — Children's Parade Alfter-Ort (11:11 AM)

The series begins with the Children's Parade in Alfter-Ort on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at 11:11 AM — the classic carnival hour. Parade route: Schlossweg, Appelallee, Kronenstraße (assembly), Am Herrenwingert, Hertersplatz, Knipsgasse, Holzgasse, Pelzstraße, Landgraben, Mirbachstraße, Holzgasse, Kronenstraße (dissolution).

February 7, 2026 — Impekoven

The Carnival Parade in Impekoven on Saturday, February 7, 2026. Impekoven is one of the more village-like districts with its own carnival tradition.

February 14, 2026 — Volmershoven-Heidgen

The Carnival Parade in Volmershoven-Heidgen on Saturday, February 14, 2026. A small twin village with a well-maintained club structure.

February 15, 2026 — Witterschlick

The Carnival Parade in Witterschlick on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at 2:00 PM (ending around 5:00 PM). Witterschlick, with nearly 5,500 inhabitants, is the largest district and has a particularly noteworthy parade.

February 17, 2026 — Shrove Tuesday Parade Alfter-Ort (2:00 PM)

The highlight and conclusion of the Alfter carnival season is the Shrove Tuesday Parade in Alfter-Ort on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 — Shrove Tuesday (known as ‘Veilchendienstag’ in the Rhineland dialect). Departure at 2:00 PM from Stühleshof, ending around 6:00 PM. Parade route: Stühleshof (assembly), Bahnhofstraße, Am Herrenwingert, Knipsgasse, Holzgasse, Pelzstraße, Landgraben, Steinerstraße, Auf der Bitze, Prof. Hippchenstraße, Mirbachstraße, Holzgasse, Kronenstraße (dissolution). Here, the Alfterer Karnevalsgesellschaft showcases its full splendor.

Organizers and Tradition

The custodian of Alfter's carnival tradition is the Festkomitee Alfterer Karneval 1910 e.V. — founded over a century ago. Additionally, the Alfterer Große Karnevalsgesellschaft (AGK) and the Prinzengarde Alfter 1926 e.V. significantly shape the carnival life. In the districts of Impekoven, Volmershoven-Heidgen, and Witterschlick, there are their own carnival associations and committees that organize their respective parades.

What to Expect Along the Parade Route

The Alfter parades follow the classic Rhenish carnival principle: Kamelle (sweets), Strüßjer (small bouquets of flowers), Kölsch (local beer), and above all, a relaxed atmosphere. Floats, walking groups in costumes, marching bands, dance troupes, and equestrian groups — the full spectrum of Rhenish carnival in a small-town format. The atmosphere in the Vorgebirge is particularly familial, as most participants come from the local area, and the spectators along the route consist of neighbors and friends.

Alfter — A Vorgebirge Municipality Near Bonn

Alfter is located directly west of Bonn in the Rhein-Sieg district of North Rhine-Westphalia. With around 24,000 inhabitants, it is a growing municipality with village-like structures, increasingly becoming part of Bonn's commuter belt in recent decades. The carnival tradition is closely linked to its Vorgebirge village character — a preserved custom in the heart of a region becoming more urbanized.

Carnival Along the Vorgebirgsbahn

For those who want to combine not just one, but several parades, the Vorgebirgsbahn (a local tram line) offers a route: Bornheim, Alfter, Roisdorf — all have their own carnival parades during the same weeks. Tram line 18 connects these towns directly with Cologne and Bonn, making it easy for day-trippers to attend multiple parades. Celebrating carnival in the Vorgebirge offers a different experience than in large cities like Cologne, Düsseldorf, or Bonn — smaller, more village-oriented, more personal, yet with the same Rhenish joie de vivre.