Klever Rosenmontagszug

Kleve — historic Lower Rhine city in the shadow of the Schwanenburg

Kleve, with around 53,000 inhabitants, is the district town of the Kreis Kleve (Düsseldorf administrative district), located on the lower Lower Rhine near the Dutch border. Famous for the Schwanenburg (home of the Lohengrin myth) and its historic location between Kalkar, Emmerich, and Goch. As everywhere on the Lower Rhine, Karneval (Carnival) is also a strong tradition in Kleve — a mixture of Rhenish Carnival, Lower Rhine peculiarities, and Dutch Carnival influences from the border region of Maas-Schwalm-Nette.

Rosenmontag — the highlight of the Kleve Carnival session

Rosenmontag is the absolute highlight of the Carnival session in Kleve. For weeks beforehand, there are meetings and guard performances — on Carnival weekend (Tulpensonntag, Rosenmontag, Veilchendienstag), the festivities concentrate on the city center. The Rosenmontagszug is the day when Kleve's clubs, groups, and float builders bring their best creations to the street.

2026 — Rosenmontag on February 16

In 2026, Rosenmontag falls on February 16, 2026. The parade starts punctually at 12:11 PM — the typical Carnival time (11 is the "crazy number" of Carnival, 11:11 AM session opening, 12:11 PM parade start). The route leads from Emmericher Straße in the Kellen district through Kleve city center to Hoffmannallee — several kilometers where thousands of carnival-goers gather.

Program — colourful costumed groups and floats

The parade consists of the classic elements of Rhenish Carnival:

• Carnival floats with thematic structures (political satire, current topics, regional allusions)
• Walking groups in costume — club groups, schools, Carnival clubs
• Dance guards and dance majorettes — performances in front of the floats
• Music bands and fife and drum corps with Carnival hits and march music
• Klever Prinzendynastie — Prince Carnival with entourage on a special float
• Candy and caramel throws — spectators collect, children with special bags
• Helauu! shouts — the Lower Rhine Carnival greeting (instead of Cologne's "Alaaf")

Registration and organization

Anyone wishing to participate with their own float or walking group had to register with the Karnevalsrat Kleve (KRK) — the deadline was January 25, 2026. Registrations were coordinated by the KRK, parade marshals assign positions, and the police secure the route. The city of Kleve supports with traffic management, waste logistics, and promotion.

Lower Rhine Carnival — a unique variant

The Lower Rhine Carnival differs from the mass Carnival in Cologne: it is more rural, smaller-town, with Dutch influences. Instead of "Alaaf," they often shout "Helauu!", and the floats are often more handcrafted and less glamorous than in Cologne or Düsseldorf. But the atmosphere is just as exuberant — and compared to the overcrowded Cologne Carnival, the parade routes on the Lower Rhine are more relaxed and family-friendly.