Carnival Parade Alt-Oberhausen 2026 — Tulpensonntag

Carnival in Oberhausen since 1904

Oberhausen Carnival has a history of over 120 years: the first Oberhausen carnival parade took place in 1904, in which AOK Weiß-Rot also participated, celebrating its 132nd anniversary today (2026). The highlight of the 2025/2026 season is the Tulpensonntag Parade on February 15, 2026 — the central carnival parade that winds through the city center of Alt-Oberhausen. Start: 2:00 PM, assembly in Friedrich-Karl-Straße.

City Prince Christian I. and his Court

The 2025/2026 carnival season in Oberhausen is led by:

• City Prince Christian I.
• Minister Kevin
• Marshal Frank

The Children's Prince Couple:

• Mila I. and Diego I. from II. KG Zomkhosi e.V.

Both courts will ride on the first float in the Tulpensonntag Parade — plenty of sweets are guaranteed.

Season Highlights 2025/2026

Weiberfastnacht — Thursday, February 12

• 11:11 AM: Town Hall Storm — the women symbolically conquer Oberhausen Town Hall
• Following this, the "Närrischer Altmarkt" — traditional meeting place for Weiberfastnacht

Children's Parade Osterfeld — Saturday, February 14

• 3:00 PM: Grand Children's Parade in the Osterfeld district — a family parade with schools, kindergartens, and youth clubs

Tulpensonntag Parade Alt-Oberhausen — Sunday, February 15

• 2:00 PM: Start of the main parade in Friedrich-Karl-Straße
• Parade route through the city center of Alt-Oberhausen
• Glass ban in core areas from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Rose Monday Parade Alstaden — Monday, February 16

• Carnival parade in the Alstaden district

Carnival Tuesday — February 17

• 6:00 PM: Hoppeditz Funeral — symbolic end of the season

The Tulpensonntag Parade — Heart of the Season

The Tulpensonntag Parade is the city's largest carnival parade. Hundreds of participants with floats, walking groups, music bands, Funkenmariechen (sparkling maids), and dance troupes march through Alt-Oberhausen. The floats throw "Kamelle" (sweets), "Strüßjer" (small bouquets of flowers), and plush toys to the crowd. Spectators shout the traditional carnival motto "Helau!" (in the Rhineland), to which the floats respond with throws.

Glass Ban and Safety

As in Cologne and Düsseldorf, Oberhausen also has a glass ban in the core areas of the parade route: from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM, glass containers (beer bottles, champagne bottles) are prohibited. Police and public order services will control access to the core areas. Please drink from plastic cups or cans.

Carnival City Oberhausen

Oberhausen is part of the Rhineland Carnival (Helau tradition, in contrast to Mainz's "Alaaf") and has an active carnival scene with several societies: AOK Weiß-Rot (since 1894), II. KG Zomkhosi e.V., Karnevalsfreunde Sterkrade, and many more. During the season, they organize balls, gala parades, and district events.