Karnevalskirmes Dortmund

Karnevalskirmes — Dortmund celebrates madly

Even if the Ruhr area isn't considered a carnival stronghold in the Rhineland style, Dortmund has its very own jolly tradition. The Karnevalskirmes Dortmund brings the hustle and bustle of the fifth season to the heart of the city from February 12 to 16, 2026 — a mix of classic folk festival and carnival atmosphere, stretching around the Alter Markt and the Reinoldikirche.

Rides and Carnival Feeling

On the approximately 800-meter-long carnival mile, rides for every taste are lined up: Break Dancer, Voodoo Jumper, Hawaii Swing, Twister, and Rocket provide the adrenaline rush, while families have fun on the Ostseestern, dodgems, and classic children's carousels. The small-city atmosphere combines traditional fairground flair with carnival music and costumed visitors.

Rose Monday Parade — The Highlight

The highlight is the Rose Monday parade on February 16, 2026. Starting at 2 p.m. from Eberstraße, the carnival procession winds its way through the city centre, passing directly by the fairground. Thousands of revellers in costumes, floats from carnival clubs, and musical accompaniment make Rose Monday the colourful peak of the Dortmund carnival days. Afterwards, the carnival-goers flock to the fair — the pubs around Alter Markt record their highest sales night of the year.

Carnival in the Ruhr Area — Its Own Identity

The carnival in the Ruhr area has a different flavour than the famous Cologne carnival. It is less stylized, more proletarian and heartfelt — shaped by the carnival clubs that have maintained the tradition in Dortmund, Bochum, and Essen since the 19th century. The Karnevalskirmes is an expression of this down-to-earth variant.

Organised by the Festausschuss

Behind the Karnevalskirmes is the Festausschuss Dortmunder Karneval e.V., the umbrella organisation of Dortmund's carnival clubs. It also organises the Rose Monday parade and the supporting programme for the jolly days in the independent city of Dortmund (North Rhine-Westphalia).