Leverkusen Carnival — Carnival Parades

Carnival in Leverkusen — the Rhineland Classic

If you come to Leverkusen in February, you'll experience one of the Rhineland's biggest folk festivals in its purest form: street carnival. Unlike the tourist-driven parades in Cologne or Düsseldorf, Leverkusen's carnival has a distinct district character — each parade has its own audience, its own clubs, its own route. The five carnival parades are spread over five consecutive days, covering practically all districts.

The Five Carnival Parades 2026

The Hitdorf Carnival Parade on Friday, February 13th, 2026, at 2:33 PM marks the start — the 33rd edition, traditionally punctual to the minute. Hitdorf, Leverkusen's northernmost district on the Rhine, has a particularly strong carnival tradition. It is followed on Saturday, February 14th, at 1:33 PM by the Schlebusch Parade through the Rhineland-Westphalian residential area. On Sunday, February 15th, two parades are scheduled: The Wiesdorf Parade starts at 1:33 PM through the city center with around 1,000 participants; starting at 2:11 PM, the Lützenkirchen Parade runs parallel. The highlight is the traditional Opladen Rose Monday Parade on Rose Monday, February 16th, 2026, at 2:11 PM, with approximately 1,500 active participants.

Prince Rogério I. — the Carnival Prince 2025/26

The 2025/26 session is celebrated by the Festausschuss under the motto 'Jecke jitt et üvverall — GEMEINSAM fiere m'r Karneval'. Prince Rogério I. was proclaimed carnival prince on November 22nd, 2025, at the Forum Leverkusen and leads the parades with his retinue and the Prince's Guard. During the traditional town hall storm on Weiberfastnacht Thursday, February 12th, 2026, the prince and his retinue will enter the Rathaus-Galerie around 11 AM, symbolically take over the city key, and disempower the official administration for the duration of the festive days.

Festausschuss Leverkusener Karneval (FLK)

Behind Leverkusen's carnival stands the Festausschuss Leverkusener Karneval (FLK) as the umbrella organization of 22 local carnival societies from all districts. The FLK coordinates dates, secures official permits, organizes the joint security concept, and mediates between the societies. Additionally, the umbrella organization focuses on promoting young talent — children's sessions, school visits, dance groups — and preserving traditions.

Kamelle, Strüßjer, and the Throwing Tradition

As everywhere in the Rhineland, the carnival parades thrive on thrown items: Kamelle (candies), Strüßjer (small bouquets of flowers), chocolate, plush toys, and small gifts are thrown from the floats into the crowd. The traditional cry 'Lev Alaaf!' is Leverkusen's carnival greeting — a variation of the Cologne 'Alaaf', where 'Lev' stands for Leverkusen. Plastic bags are customary locally as collection containers.

In the Bergisches Carnival Context

Leverkusen, home to Bayer AG and Bayer 04 Leverkusen football club with nearly 165,000 inhabitants, is geographically located between the carnival strongholds of Cologne, Düsseldorf, and the Bergisches Land. Leverkusen's carnival benefits from this location — many participants are active in Cologne, and many carnival tourists come from the Cologne-Bonn region. At the same time, Leverkusen has preserved its own identity: quieter than the hustle and bustle of Cologne, closer to the folk festival character, with a family atmosphere.

Safety and Procedure

All parades are free for the public. Due to increased security requirements for large events, the FLK recommends arriving early, using public transport, and avoiding backpacks. The city of Leverkusen closes off the parade routes hours in advance. You can find current safety information on leverkusenerkarneval.de.