Brühl Carnival Parades — Närrischer Elias

Brühl Jeck — The Hot Phase

Located between Cologne and Bonn, Brühl is a city of 45,000 inhabitants in the Rhein-Erft district that shows its Rhenish soul during Carnival. In the days leading up to Ash Wednesday, a whole wave of Carnival parades sweeps through the city center and its districts — crowned on Carnival Sunday by the 'Närrischer Elias', the grand Brühl Carnival parade, which owes its name to an old Brühl locomotive.

The Highlight — Carnival Sunday, February 15, 2026

The Närrischer Elias 2026 starts on Sunday, February 15, at 12:30 PM at the corner of Bonnstraße / Uhlstraße. The procession will parade through the city center until approximately 5:00 PM:

• Bonnstraße — Uhlstraße — Markt — Kölnstraße — Königstraße
• Kurfürstenstraße — Friedrichstraße — An de Synagoge
• Schützenstraße — Mühlenstraße — Uhlstraße (Dispersal)

Magnificent carnival floats from Brühl's carnival societies participate in the parade, interspersed with dance groups, honour guards in smart uniforms, splendid carriages, bands, and marching bands. Kamelle (sweets) and Strüßjer (bouquets) are thrown from the floats — the Rhenish version of carnival throwing goods.

The District Parades — Carnival in the Neighbourhoods

Brühl consists of several districts, and each has its own carnival parade. The Festausschuss Brühler Karneval e.V. coordinates the entire spectrum:

• Saturday, February 7, 2026 — Carnival parade in Brühl-Ost
• Sunday, February 15, 2026, 12:30 PM — Närrischer Elias in the city center
• Rose Monday, February 16, 2026, 2:00 PM — Brühl-Pingsdorf starting from Maiglerstraße / Euskirchener Straße
• Rose Monday, February 16, 2026, 3:00 PM — Brühl-Heide starting from Grubenstraße
• Carnival Tuesday, February 17, 2026 — Children's parade Brühl-West, assembly at 9:00 AM, start at 10:00 AM

Ban on Glass Bottles

A ban on glass bottles applies to Schwadorf and Badorf during the Carnival days — a measure by the city of Brühl to protect carnival-goers. Please switch to plastic bottles or cups when joining the festivities.

Brühl in Carnival — What Makes the City Special

Brühl is located in the Rhenish Carnival triangle between Cologne, Bonn, and the Voreifel region. Unlike the often overcrowded Cologne Rose Monday parade, the 'Närrischer Elias' offers a more relaxed, family-friendly version of the tradition — with the same Rhenish warmth, but with space on the streets and a manageable city feel. If you want to experience Carnival without getting lost in the crowds of Cologne, this is the place to be.

Brühl — City of UNESCO World Heritage Castles

Outside of the Carnival season, Brühl is primarily known for the Castles Augustusburg and Falkenlust — UNESCO World Heritage sites since 1984, masterpieces of Rococo. During Carnival, the World Heritage sites take a backseat; the city belongs to the Jecken (carnival enthusiasts).