Karneval Erftstadt – Carnival Parades

Carnival Stronghold in the Rhein-Erft District

Erftstadt is located in the Rhein-Erft district, southwest of Cologne, and consists of 16 districts. The Carnival tradition is deeply rooted in the region: Cologne, Bonn, and Düsseldorf are within reach, yet Erftstadt cherishes its own, very decentralized Carnival – almost every district has its own Carnival society and its own parade. There are over 15 Carnival parades between Thursday and Tuesday.

When and Where is the Carnival?

The Erftstadt Carnival 2026 runs from Thursday, February 12 (Weiberfastnacht) to Tuesday, February 17, 2026 (Veilchendienstag). Main events:

• Thursday, 12.02.2026 – Weiberfastnacht: Town Hall Storming in Lechenich and Liblar, Guard Bivouac at Lechenich Market Square
• Sunday, 15.02.2026, 1:30 PM – Main Parade Lechenich starting from Schützenhaus parking lot
• Sunday, 15.02.2026, 1:30 PM – Liblar Carnival Parade
• Monday, 16.02.2026 – Rosenmontag (Rose Monday): several smaller district parades
• Tuesday, 17.02.2026 – Veilchendienstag: end of the Carnival season

The Most Important District Parades

Lechenich and Liblar are Erftstadt's Carnival powerhouses:

• Lechenich – historic town center around the market square, the city's largest parade, assembly at the Schützenhaus parking lot, route through Lechenich's city center
• Liblar – the capital's station district, runs parallel to the Lechenich parade on Sunday, has its own character
• Erp, Gymnich, Ahrem, Bliesheim, Friesheim, Niederberg, Borr, Köttingen – other district parades with local Carnival societies

Guard Bivouac and Seated Events

Before the main parade weekend, the entire Carnival week features stage programs:

• Guard Bivouac of the Erftstadt Guards at Lechenich Market Square (Weiberfastnacht Thursday)
• Ladies' Sessions by women's Carnival societies
• Gala Sessions by the major Carnival societies
• Children's Sessions in the districts
• Themed floats, walking groups, dance twirlers in the parades

Erftstadt – Polycentric City with a Carnival Heart

Erftstadt, with its approximately 50,000 inhabitants, was founded in 1969 through the merger of 16 municipalities. The special feature: there is no central city center, but rather a series of independent districts, each with its own identity and history. This polycentric nature is fully evident during Carnival – instead of a single large parade, there are many medium-sized parades in the districts, supplemented by the two large ones on Carnival Sunday.