Leutkirch Street Carnival — Grand Parade

Grand Parade Leutkirch — Allgäu Fastnacht on 1.2 km

When the Nibelgau Carnival Guild Leutkirch calls for the Grand Parade, it is nothing less than one of the most significant events of the Swabian-Alemannic Fastnacht. On Sunday, February 15, 2026, at 1:30 PM, the parade starts — a 1.2-kilometer route through the historic Allgäu city center. Around 4,500 masked figures from 85 carnival guilds from the region participate; thousands of spectators line the route, cheering "Nibelgau" and "Hexe-Hahn", throwing confetti, and celebrating the traditional costume wearers.

70th Anniversary of the Nibelgau Carnival Guild

The 2026 edition marks a double anniversary: the Nibelgau Carnival Guild itself is celebrating its 70th anniversary (founded in 1956). It is one of the most traditional guilds in the Association of Swabian-Alemannic Carnival Guilds (VSAN) and has ten active costume groups. Particularly well-known are the Nibelgau itself (the namesake — a timidly cheerful masked figure with a wooden mask and magnificent costume), the Hexen (witches), the Hänsele, the Hahn (rooster), and the Narrenrat (carnival council). For the anniversary edition, the choreography will be particularly elaborate.

Motto 2026: "Heroes of Childhood"

The motto for the 2026 Leutkirch Fastnacht is "Heroes of Childhood". On the floats, in the dance group performances, and in the choreography of the individual costumes, figures from classic children's books, fairy tales, cartoons, and children's television will be featured — from Pippi Longstocking and Pumuckl to Die Sendung mit der Maus (The Show with the Mouse), Heidi, Asterix and Obelix, and modern heroes like Bibi Blocksberg. Each guest guild can interpret the motto freely — leading to a colorful, creative diversity.

The Route and Program Schedule

The 1.2 km long route leads through the historic city center of Leutkirch: from the assembly area on Wangener Straße, across the Marktplatz (market square) with the town hall, through Marktstraße and Memminger Straße to the finish area. The parade usually lasts two to three hours — individual groups perform short dance and play routines at corner points. Before and after the parade, Leutkirch's nightlife pulsates with Fastnacht balls, gatherings (Hocketsen), and guild meetings.

Swabian-Alemannic Fastnacht — How does it differ from Carnival?

The Leutkirch Fastnacht is in the tradition of the Swabian-Alemannic Fastnacht — a distinct South German form of custom that fundamentally differs from the Rhenish Carnival. There are no formal seated events (Sitzungen), no carnival princes in glittering costumes, and no "Kölsch" jokes. Instead, the atmosphere is characterized by traditional wooden masks (often passed down in the same family for generations), hand-sewn costumes with historical-regional motifs, rhythmic sayings and rituals (such as the well-known "Narrenmarsch"), and the concept of the "Narrensprung" (parade of fools). Here, you experience an old, vibrant custom that has been passed down through generations in the Allgäu villages and small towns.

Leutkirch im Allgäu — the Swabian-Bavarian Border Town

Leutkirch im Allgäu, a town of around 22,000 inhabitants in the Ravensburg district, is located in Württemberg's Allgäu region, directly on the border with Bavaria. The historic city center with its striking Market Tower and patrician houses forms the picturesque backdrop for the Narrensprung. In summer, Leutkirch is a popular starting point for hikes and bike tours into the Allgäu and to Lake Constance — in February, the town belongs to the Fastnacht.