Karnevalsumzug Bernkastel-Kues (Night Parade)

Karneval with a Mosel Flair

Karneval is celebrated in many forms in the Rhineland and Rhineland-Palatinate. While the tradition is not as dominant on the Middle Mosel as in Mainz, Cologne, or Düsseldorf, it has its own formats – including the Karneval parade in Bernkastel-Kues. The special feature: it takes place as a night parade and ends with a big after-party in the Kues underground car park.

6th Edition 2026

The parade is in its 6th edition in 2026 – still a young format, but one that has established itself in the region. On Saturday, February 14, 2026, the convoy starts punctually at 6:11 PM (the Karneval time "eleven eleven" as a nod to the jester tradition) through the historic city center of Bernkastel.

AfterZugParty in the Kues Underground Car Park

Immediately after the parade, the AfterZugParty takes place in the Kues underground car park. With DJ EL1AS and the artists Engel & Charlie, the underground car park is transformed into a party space – an unusual, very urban format for the Mosel Karneval, appealing to a younger audience and deliberately distinguishing itself from classic Karneval sessions.

Atmosphere and Audience

The night parade offers a special atmosphere: the lighting of the floats, the nocturnal backdrop of the historic old town, and the compact mood of the February evening make the parade a visual experience. The audience is mixed – families, clubs, young adults – but the AfterZugParty primarily attracts a younger crowd.