Name: Children's Costume Parade of the Fairy Tale Prince — Tulip Sunday (Öcher Kengerzoch) 2026
Start: 2026-02-15T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-02-15T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Aachener Innenstadt (Rosenmontagszug-Route)

Children's Costume Parade Aachen

About Children's Costume Parade Aachen

When the first 'Tülpchen' flutter at 11:11 AM, the only children's costume parade of its kind in Germany begins: The Öcher Kengerzoch on Tulip Sunday, February 15, 2026, with Fairy Tale Prince Phil II. at the forefront and around 100 floats and groups parading through Aachen's city center. For the first time, the parade follows the same route as the Rose Monday parade — an important step for one of the main events of the Öcher Fastelovvend, which has been part of the intangible UNESCO cultural heritage since 2017.

Dates 15 Feb — 15 Feb 2026

Venue Aachen (05334)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Children's Costume Parade Aachen — edition 2026

On Tulip Sunday 2026 — Sunday, February 15 — the Aachen Children's Costume Parade starts at 11:11 AM. With Fairy Tale Prince Phil II. at the forefront, around 100 floats and groups parade through Aachen's city center. For the first time, the parade follows the same route as the Rose Monday parade — an important upgrade for the only children's carnival parade of its kind in Germany.

The 2026 edition marks an innovation: For the first time, the Kengerzoch will follow the exact same route as the Rose Monday parade — an important symbol for the equal standing of children's carnival in Aachen's festival calendar. Parade commentary on individual groups will be available from March 12, 2026, in the "Karneval AAK" app.

The organizational lead lies with the FestAusschuss Aachener Karneval e.V. (AKIKA section). In 2026 as well, numerous children, parents, and schools will design floats and walking groups and throw sweets into the crowd — a colorful carnival tradition for the whole family.

Highlights Children's Costume Parade Aachen 2026

First time the Children's Costume Parade uses the Rose Monday parade route and the appearance of Fairy Tale Prince Phil II.

Programme Children's Costume Parade Aachen 2026

Key Dates 2026

Sunday, February 15, 2026, from 11:11 AM — Tulip Sunday, start of the Kengerzoch
Fairy Tale Prince: Phil II.
Route: Identical to the Rose Monday parade route for the first time
Participants: ~100 floats and groups
Parade Commentary: from March 12, 2026, in the "Karneval AAK" app (iOS & Android)

Important Carnival Days 2026

Tulip Sunday (Feb 15) — Children's Costume Parade
Rose Monday (Feb 16) — Grand Aachen Rose Monday Parade
Ash Wednesday (Feb 18) — Official end of the carnival season

Details: aachenerkarneval.de.

Prices Children's Costume Parade Aachen 2026

Free admission. The parade is freely accessible along the entire route in Aachen's city center.

Practical information

Practical information — Children's Costume Parade Aachen

Getting There

Aachen city center. Approx. 5 minutes walk from Aachen main station to the city center; numerous special public transport services during carnival days. By car via A4 or A44; parking garages on the outskirts recommended — city center closed during the parade.

Admission

Free admission. The parade passes through the city center and is accessible free of charge along the entire route.

Note

Updated parade commentary on individual groups will be available from March 12, 2026, in the "Karneval AAK" app (iOS and Android). Floats throw sweets ("Kamellen") into the crowd — children should bring enough bags.

Unique in Germany — Children's Carnival on Equal Footing

The Children's Costume Parade of the Fairy Tale Prince, in Öcher dialect Kengerzoch, is a unique carnival parade: Unlike most children's carnival parades in Germany — usually smaller appendages to the adult parades — the Aachener Kengerzoch is an independent major parade, organized by the FestAusschuss Aachener Karneval e.V. (AKIKA section). With around 100 floats and groups, it is the only children's costume parade of its kind in Germany.

Tulip Sunday as a Carnival Highlight

The Kengerzoch takes place on Tulip Sunday — the Sunday before Rose Monday. In 2026, this falls on February 15th. Start: precisely at 11:11 AM, the time characteristic of Rhenish carnival. At the head of the parade: the Märchenprinz (Fairy Tale Prince) as the annual child leader — in 2026, it is Phil II.

For the First Time on the Rose Monday Parade Route

An important innovation in 2026: For the first time, the children's costume parade will follow the same route as the Rose Monday parade. This upgrades its status in the Aachen carnival calendar — a conscious recognition of the commitment of children, parents, and associations who annually ensure the creative and colorful design of the floats.

Carnival as UNESCO Cultural Heritage

Rhenish Carnival, to which the Aachener "Öcher Fastelovvend" belongs, was added to the German list of intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2014. The Kengerzoch is part of this heritage — and thus a documented piece of living cultural tradition with special educational and transmission value for the next generation.

Aachen as a Carnival Stronghold

Aachen, the westernmost major city in Germany, is one of the carnival strongholds of Rhenish Carnival — along with Cologne, Düsseldorf, Mainz, and Bonn. Unlike its Rhenish neighbors, however, Aachen cultivates its own variant with the Öcher Fastelovvend, which differs linguistically (Öcher Platt), traditionally, and atmospherically. The Kengerzoch is a central component of this tradition.