Lindauer Fasnacht – Narrensprung
Swabian-Alemannic Carnival on Lindau Island with Narrensprung and historic costume traditions
About Lindauer Fasnacht
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Swabian-Alemannic Carnival on Lake Constance
The Lindauer Fasnacht is one of the most important events of the Swabian-Alemannic carnival tradition in southern Bavaria. It is organised by the Narrenzunft Lindau, which is dedicated to preserving the local costume figures (Häs), customs, and events throughout the carnival year. The venue is the historic Lindau Island in Lake Constance – one of the most atmospheric locations for Alemannic carnival revelry in Swabia.
Five Lindau Costume Types
The Lindauer Fasnacht features five traditional costume figures: the Binsengeister (reeds spirits) as spirits of the Lake Constance reed belts, the Pflasterbuzen (cobblestone imps) as city spirits of Lindau's alleys, the Kornköffler (grain sack carriers) as peasant figures with basket masks, the Moschtköpf (must heads) as the embodiment of Lindau's apple must, and the Fanfarenzug (fanfare band) as the guild's musical flagship. Each figure has its own wooden mask (Schemen), its own costume (Häs), and its own saying.
Programme over Two Weeks
The Lindauer Fasnacht 2026 spans several weekends. It kicks off in January with the Häsabstauben, followed by the Lindauer Narrentreffen with guilds from the Lake Constance region. The main highlight is the period between Gumpiger Donnerstag and Fasnachtsdienstag (Carnival Tuesday): Narrenwecken (awakening of the jesters) in the early morning, Narrenbaumstellen at Bismarckplatz, Rathaussturm (town hall storming) at the old town hall, Buzentanz on Rußiger Freitag (Sooty Friday), and finally the grand Narrensprung on Fasnachtssonntag at 2:01 PM through the island's alleys. The event concludes with the children's parade on Fasnachtsdienstag and the Funkenfeuer on the following weekend.
Atmosphere and Lake Constance Backdrop
What sets the Lindauer Fasnacht apart from many other Alemannic carnivals is the Lake Constance island as its stage. The narrow alleys, Lindau's harbour with the famous lion and lighthouse, the Old Town Hall with its frescoes, and the Schrannenplatz form a unique backdrop for the processions. Thousands of spectators from Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Vorarlberg, and Switzerland crowd the streets as the costumed figures parade through the town.
Tradition and Customs
The Lindauer Fasnacht is dedicated to preserving Swabian-Alemannic customs in their Lindau form. It is not a Rhenish carnival, but Fasnet in the Alemannic style: quiet wooden masks, coordinated costume movements, old sayings, and no confetti spectacle. The organiser and carrier is the Narrenzunft Lindau, which is affiliated with the Association of Swabian-Alemannic Carnival Guilds (VSAN). The Lindauer Fasnacht takes place in the Lindau district (Bavaria), directly on the border with Baden-Württemberg, Vorarlberg, and Switzerland.
Lindauer Fasnacht — edition 2026
The Lindauer Fasnacht 2026 extends from the Häsabstauben at the beginning of January to the Funkenfeuer on the last weekend of February. The organiser is the Narrenzunft Lindau. All main events take place on the historic Lindau Island.
The event kicks off on January 9th, 2026, with the Häsabstauben in the guilds. From January 31st to February 1st, 2026, the Lindauer Narrentreffen brings together the Alemannic carnival world on Lake Constance. The main carnival period begins with Gumpiger Donnerstag on February 12th, 2026: Narrenwecken at 5:50 AM, Narrenbaumstellen in the late afternoon, and Rathaussturm around 6 PM. This is followed on Rußiger Freitag by the Köfflerjuck and Buzentanz, and on Fasnachtssamstag by balls and the Hexentanz.
The highlight is the Lindauer Narrensprung on Fasnachtssonntag, February 15th, 2026, which starts punctually at 2:01 PM and leads the five Lindau costume figures through the island's alleys. On Fasnachtsdienstag, February 17th, 2026, the children's parade follows at 2:45 PM, and the Kehraus (farewell party) takes place in the evening. The event concludes with the Funkenfeuer on the weekend of February 21st and 22nd, 2026.
Programme Lindauer Fasnacht 2026
Pre-Carnival
- 09.01.2026 – Häsabstauben in the Lindau guilds
- 31.01.–01.02.2026 – 44th Lindauer Narrentreffen with guilds from the Lake Constance region
Main Carnival
- 12.02.2026 (Gumpiger Donnerstag): 5:50 AM Narrenwecken, 5:00 PM Narrenbaumstellen, 6:00 PM Rathaussturm
- 13.02.2026 (Rußiger Freitag): 6:30 PM Köfflerjuck and Buzentanz
- 14.02.2026 (Fasnachtssamstag): Witch, Köffler, and Buzen balls
- 15.02.2026 (Fasnachtssonntag): 2:01 PM Lindauer Narrensprung through the island alleys
- 17.02.2026 (Fasnachtsdienstag): 2:45 PM Children's parade, 7:30 PM Kehraus at the old town hall
Conclusion
- 21./22.02.2026 – Funkenfeuer on the shores of Lake Constance
Highlights Lindauer Fasnacht 2026
- Lindauer Narrensprung on February 15th, 2026, at 2:01 PM
- Performance of the five Lindau costume figures (Binsengeister, Pflasterbuzen, Kornköffler, Moschtköpf, Fanfarenzug)
- Lindauer Narrentreffen January 31 – February 1, 2026
- Gumpiger Donnerstag with Narrenwecken and Rathaussturm
- Funkenfeuer on the shores of Lake Constance to conclude the Fasnet
Prices Lindauer Fasnacht 2026
Attending the processions and all open-air events is free. For balls and indoor events, admission prices range from approximately 10 to 25 Euros, depending on the organiser. Food and drinks at the stalls are paid for separately; numerous inns with carnival programmes are available in the Lindau town area.
Practical information — Lindauer Fasnacht
Getting There
By train to Lindau Hauptbahnhof (on the island); the entire event area is within walking distance. By car via the A96 (exit Lindau), park in the large car parks on the mainland and take the city bus to the island. On Fasnachtssonntag, travelling by train is recommended – the island gets very crowded.
Admission
All processions and open-air events are free of charge. Admission fees apply for individual balls and indoor events.
Tips
Wear weatherproof, warm clothing; the island alleys can get crowded. For families, the children's parade on Fasnachtsdienstag is recommended.
Contact
Narrenzunft Lindau, c/o Geschäftsstelle Lindau, Latest information at narrenzunft-lindau.de.
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place Lindauer Fasnacht
Lindauer Insel / Altstadt
Altes Rathaus, 88131 Lindau (Bodensee)