Karnevalszug Bad Honnef

Bad Honnef Carnival — Rhenish Tradition at the Siebengebirge

Bad Honnef is located in the Rhine-Sieg district on the right bank of the Rhine, at the gateway to the Siebengebirge, opposite Bad Godesberg. With a good 25,000 inhabitants, the town is one of the smaller carnival strongholds in North Rhine-Westphalia — but with its own traditional customs. The Festkomitee Bad Honnefer Karneval e.V. (FKBHK) has been coordinating the town's carnival events for decades and organizes the Tulip Sunday Parade as an annual highlight.

When: Sunday, February 15, 2026, from 1:11 PM

The parade start time is pure carnival time — 1:11 PM. The parade traditionally starts in the south of Honnef around the Hit-Markt and moves through the city center to the Girardetallee. Those who arrive early can secure spots along the main street. Tip: The candy throws are particularly dense at the intersections near the market and the train station.

43 Groups, 1,100 Jecken

For 2026, 43 groups with a total of around 1,100 Jecken have registered — a participation that the FKBHK describes as very strong. This includes float vehicles, riding groups, music bands, walking groups, and dance formations. The parade meeting took place on January 30, 2026, at Hontes am Markt, with the registration deadline being January 31st. Safety and alcohol regulations follow the NRW-wide carnival rules (alcohol-free for float crews, controlled projectiles).

After Parade Party — Comeback After Years

A special premiere in 2026: For the first time in several years, the festival committee is inviting to an After Parade Party in the city center, near the former Vierkotten. After hours in the parade and along the route, the carnival seamlessly transitions into the party — with a DJ, Kölsch beer, and carnival hits directly under the open sky or in participating establishments.

Market Show on the Eve — February 14

Already on Saturday, February 14, 2026, the Market Show on the Rathausplatz opens the Honnef carnival weekend. The show presents carnival clubs, dance groups, and music bands from Bad Honnef and the surrounding area in a public stage program. Admission is free.

Getting There: Between Cologne and Bonn

Bad Honnef is directly accessible from Cologne and Bonn by the S-Bahn S66 (Bad Honnef station). From the station, it's a 5-minute walk to the parade center. By car: A3 exit Bad Honnef/Linz; due to road closures on parade Sunday, public transport is highly recommended. Those who combine the carnival weekend with a short break can ideally combine it with a hike in the Siebengebirge or a visit to the Drachenfels.

Bad Honnef in the Carnival Context

With its 1:11 PM start, Bad Honnef fits into the Rhenish carnival map between Cologne, Bonn, and Königswinter. Those who want to visit several parades over the weekend can be in Cologne-Mülheim on Saturday and in Bad Honnef on Sunday — the train connections make it possible. After the Honnef parade, the big Cologne Rose Monday parade follows on Rose Monday — the region thus experiences pure carnival for three days.