Name: Nelkensamstagszug Moers — Carnival Parade 2026
Start: 2026-02-14T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-02-14T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Stadtgebiet Moers / Duisburg-Homberg

Nelkensamstagszug Moers

About Nelkensamstagszug Moers

The Nelkensamstagszug is the official carnival parade of the city of Moers and, with up to 120,000 visitors, one of the largest carnival parades on the left Lower Rhine. On Saturday, February 14, 2026, the parade starts at 1:11 PM in Duisburg-Homberg and winds its way across Moers to the Trotzburg intersection. The city of Moers will cover all security costs in 2026, allowing the parade to follow its traditional route in full after the shortening in 2025.

Dates 14 Feb — 14 Feb 2026

Venue Moers (05170)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Nelkensamstagszug Moers — edition 2026

The 2026 Nelkensamstagszug starts on February 14 at 1:11 PM in Duisburg-Homberg and follows the traditional route back to Trotzburg in Moers. Up to 120,000 visitors are expected, and the city is financing the security costs.

Carnival parade between Duisburg-Homberg and Moers with carnival societies, music floats, candy rain, and 130 security barriers. Return to the traditional finish line Trotzburg after the 2025 route shortening.

Highlights Nelkensamstagszug Moers 2026

120,000 expected visitors
Return to the traditional route to Trotzburg
130 security barriers, 50 checkpoints
City of Moers covers security costs in 2026
Carnival capital of the left Lower Rhine
Free admission

Programme Nelkensamstagszug Moers 2026

Saturday, February 14, 2026 — Nelkensamstagszug

From approx. 11 AM — Assembly of carnival societies, floats, and walking groups at the starting point in Duisburg-Homberg
1:11 PM — Official start of the parade in Duisburg-Homberg
Until approx. 4 PM — Parade on the route; arrival at the Trotzburg intersection on Wilhelm-Schröder-Straße in Moers
Kamelle, Strüßjer, and plush toys thrown from the floats
Carnival societies from Moers, Duisburg, and the surrounding area
Glass ban zone along the entire route
After the parade — Carnival celebrations in the pubs of Moers' old town

Prices Nelkensamstagszug Moers 2026

Free admission. Recommended: Special VRR tickets for public transport.

Practical information

Practical information — Nelkensamstagszug Moers

Route

Start: Duisburg-Homberg, assembly point. Finish: Trotzburg intersection on Wilhelm-Schröder-Straße, Moers. Detailed route map and road closures on moers.de.

Getting There and Parking

Public transport: Special carnival tickets from VRR; Park-and-Ride facilities are signposted. By car: not recommended — many road closures around the route from 11 AM. Travel to the middle of the parade via S-Bahn Moers or Duisburg-Hochheide.

Admission

Free. Please observe the glass ban.

Security

130 mobile barriers, 50 checkpoints along the route. Children's area signposted next to the route. Do not bring glass containers.

Tip

If observing families with small children: positions further forward on the route (Duisburg-Homberg) are quieter; the finish in Moers (Trotzburg) is more crowded and atmospheric. Dress warmly — February in Moers is cold and usually damp.

The Carnival Parade on the Left Lower Rhine

While the world famously stands still between Cologne and Düsseldorf on Carnival Saturday, Moers has its own answer: the Nelkensamstagszug. With up to 120,000 expected visitors along the route, it is one of the largest carnival parades on the left Lower Rhine — and at the same time the only major parade that connects two cities: starting in Duisburg-Homberg, ending in the heart of Moers.

Date and Parade Time

On Saturday, February 14, 2026, the parade starts at 1:11 PM — the carnival number eleven is incorporated. From the morning onwards, the streets along the parade route fill up; clubs, carnival societies, and floats gather at the assembly point in Homberg. The parade stretches for several kilometers and, depending on the number of floats, will be in motion between 1:30 PM and approximately 4 PM.

Return to the Traditional Route in 2026

Important news for the 2026 edition: After a route shortening last year, the parade will run again to the Trotzburg intersection on Wilhelm-Schröder-Straße — the historic finish line. The City of Moers will cover all security costs in 2026, relieving the carnival association financially and allowing the festival to retain its traditional form. A political decision with symbolic power for the Lower Rhine carnival.

Security Concept

Following the Magdeburg attack in 2024, Moers has significantly strengthened its security concept: around 130 different barriers are in place, including mobile truck barriers, vehicles, and concrete blocks. Approximately 50 checkpoints secure the entire parade route. The glass ban zone along the main route prevents injuries — drinks are served in paper cups.

Tradition and Atmosphere

For those who have never experienced a Rhenish carnival parade: the Nelkensamstagszug is a good introduction. Kamelle (sweets), Strüßjer (small bouquets), and plush toys are thrown from the floats, and groups toss costumes, candy, and small gifts. The atmosphere is family-friendly, much more relaxed than the Cologne Rose Monday parade, with plenty of Lower Rhine humor. Carnival societies from Moers, Duisburg, Krefeld, and the surrounding area present their floats — some satirically political, others classically carnival-esque.

Moers — Carnival Capital of the Lower Rhine

With its old traditions of shooting clubs and associations, Moers is considered the most important carnival capital on the left Lower Rhine. "Moers Carnival" is deeply rooted in city life — over 30 carnival societies are based here. Those who want to experience the atmosphere after the parade will find numerous pubs in the old town with carnival music and post-parade celebrations late into the night.