Name: Karnevalsumzug Dessau-Roßlau 2026
Start: 2026-02-15T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-02-15T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Innenstadt Dessau

Karneval Dessau

About Karneval Dessau

The Karnevalsumzug Dessau-Roßlau is one of the largest carnival parades in Saxony-Anhalt. On Rose Sunday, a three-hour parade with around 84 floats, four bands, and over 1,000 participants winds through Dessau's city centre. Starting at Friedhofstraße/Franzstraße at 11:11 AM, the route ends at the market square with a stage programme and catering.

Dates 15 Feb — 15 Feb 2026

Venue Dessau-Roßlau (15001)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Karneval Dessau — edition 2026

The 27th Karnevalsumzug Dessau-Roßlau parades on Rose Sunday, February 15, 2026, starting at 11:11 AM from Franzstraße/Friedhofstraße through Dessau's city centre to the market square. Around 1,000 participants, 84 floats, four bands, followed by a stage programme and catering at the market square until the evening.

The parade in 2026 winds its way over three kilometres from the starting point at Franzstraße/Friedhofstraße through the heart of Dessau's city centre. Participating are local carnival clubs from all over Anhalt, schools, kindergartens, companies with their own floats, as well as music and show bands. The highlight at 2 PM: entry onto the market square, followed by a stage programme until the evening.

Highlights Karneval Dessau 2026

Start 11:11 AM Franzstraße, 84 floats, 4 bands, stage programme at the market square, satirical themed floats.

Programme Karneval Dessau 2026

Day — Rose Sunday, February 15, 2026

11:11 AM — Start of the Parade (Franzstraße / Friedhofstraße)
Route: approx. 3 km through Dessau's city centre
84 floats, 4 festival bands, over 1,000 participants (clubs, schools, kindergartens, companies)
From approx. 2:00 PM — Arrival at Market Square, Stage Programme
Performances by carnival societies, dance guards, show bands
Catering (mulled wine, Berliner doughnuts, snacks), Carnival Market
Stage programme until the evening

Organisers

1. Große Dessauer Karnevalsgesellschaft Gelb/Rot 1954 e.V.
Waldeser Carneval Club
Supported by Stadtwerke Dessau and Stadtsparkasse Dessau

Prices Karneval Dessau 2026

Free admission. Consumption costs at the market square and along the route.

Practical information

Practical information — Karneval Dessau

Getting There

By train: Dessau (ICE train station). From there, a 5-minute walk to the city centre. Special trains run from Magdeburg, Halle, and Leipzig on Rose Sunday.

By car: A9 exit Dessau-Süd or Dessau-Ost. Large parts of the city centre are closed during the parade – use the car parks at the main station and the Rathaus-Center.

Admission

Parade and stage programme: free of charge. Consumption costs at the market square: mulled wine, snacks, Berliner doughnuts.

Notes

In case of snowfall or heavy rain, the parade may be shortened – organisers will provide information on the day. Secure the best spots along the route (Franzstraße, Wilhelm-Müller-Straße, Marktplatz) two hours before the start. Bring warm clothing and a bag for children to collect sweets.

Anhalt's Largest Carnival Parade

The Karnevalsumzug Dessau-Roßlau is an event that transforms the city every year. On Rose Sunday – the Sunday before Rose Monday – Dessau's city centre between Friedhofstraße and the market square becomes a three-kilometre-long carnival route. Over 1,000 participants from clubs, schools, kindergartens, companies, and citizens' initiatives march with 84 lovingly designed floats, accompanied by four festival bands, walking groups, dance groups, and guards.

The event is organised by two traditional carnival clubs: the 1. Große Dessauer Karnevalsgesellschaft Gelb/Rot 1954 e.V. and the Waldeser Carneval Club. Both have decades of experience in the Anhalt carnival – a region that, while located further east than the Rhineland's stronghold, cultivates its own strong carnival culture. The floats are often politically and satirically designed: local issues, state politics, federal politics – everything is fair game.

Highlight of the day: When the parade arrives at the market square around 2 PM, the stage programme begins with performances by the carnival clubs, music bands, and show bands. Food, mulled wine, Berliner doughnuts, and of course "Helau" – Dessau's version of the carnival cheer – set the mood into the evening.

Dessau-Roßlau is a district-free city in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, primarily known as the Bauhaus city – a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996. However, carnival is just as much a part of the city's identity as the Bauhaus, the Junkers heritage, or the nearby Wörlitz Garden Realm.