Nuremberg Carnival Parade
Documented since 1397 – a Franconian carnival parade for around 100,000 spectators
About Nuremberg Carnival Parade
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Carnival with Franconian Tradition
The Nuremberg Carnival Parade, officially "Nürnberger Fastnachtszug", is one of the oldest documented carnival events in Germany. As early as 1397, a "Schembartlauf" was first documented in Nuremberg. Even though the parade has been paused several times over the centuries, it remains the highlight of the Franconian carnival and one of the largest carnival parades in Bavaria.
Route and Atmosphere
The parade traditionally starts on Bayreuther Straße in the north of the city centre. From there, the convoy of floats winds its way with loud music through the Laufer Tor, the Innere Laufer Gasse, the Theresienplatz, the Theresienstraße, the Rathausplatz and the Hauptmarkt before ending at the Weißen Turm. Around 40 groups from Nuremberg carnival societies, Franconian clubs and showmen participate, along with several music bands and guards. Around 100,000 spectators line the streets.
Children's Carnival Parade on Shrove Monday
The day after the main parade, the Children's Carnival Parade takes place. Organised by the Nuremberg City Youth Welfare Office, it winds through the city centre and offers children and families their own child-friendly carnival experience without the hustle and bustle of the main parade. The route is significantly shorter, with a focus on games, costumes and entertainment.
Organisers and Security
The main parade is organised by the Förderverein Nürnberger Fastnachtszug e.V. (Association for the Promotion of the Nuremberg Carnival Parade) with chairman Peter Zitzlsperger, who coordinates the carnival societies, showmen and music bands. The Nuremberg Police ensure a high level of security with technical barriers, traffic diversions and a visible presence – measures that have been standard for major events since the 2010s.
Carnival Surroundings in the City
Around the parade, balls, gala sessions and carnival parties in the city's halls form the accompanying programme. The offerings range from the Jambo-Jambo Ball at Parks Nürnberg to the gala session in the Eventhalle Gartenstadt and the Weiberfasching (women's carnival) in the Heilig-Geist-Saal. Nuremberg, as an independent city, is located in the heart of Middle Franconia (Bavaria) and is the second-largest city in the Free State.
Nuremberg Carnival Parade — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Nuremberg Carnival Parade will take place on Sunday, February 15, 2026, starting at 1:00 PM. The organiser is the Förderverein Nürnberger Fastnachtszug e.V. The route follows the traditional path from Bayreuther Straße via Laufer Tor, Innere Laufer Gasse, Theresienplatz, Theresienstraße, Rathausplatz and Hauptmarkt to the Weißen Turm.
Around 40 groups from Nuremberg carnival societies, guards, music bands and showmen will participate in the parade. Around 100,000 spectators are expected along the route, as in previous years. On Shrove Monday, February 16, 2026, the Children's Carnival Parade, organised by the city's Youth Welfare Office, will follow, winding through the city centre.
Accompanying the parade, numerous halls in the city will offer balls, gala sessions and carnival parties, including the Jambo-Jambo Ball on January 31, 2026, the gala session at Eventhalle Gartenstadt on February 15 (from 5:11 PM) and the Weiberfasching on February 12, 2026, at Heilig-Geist-Saal.
Programme Nuremberg Carnival Parade 2026
Sunday, February 15, 2026 – Main Parade
- 1:00 PM: Start of the Nuremberg Carnival Parade on Bayreuther Straße
- Route: Rathenauplatz, Laufer Tor, Innere Laufer Gasse, Theresienplatz, Theresienstraße, Rathausplatz, Hauptmarkt, Weißer Turm
- Around 40 groups, several music bands and carnival guards
- 5:11 PM: Gala session of the carnival societies at Eventhalle Gartenstadt
Monday, February 16, 2026 – Children's Carnival Parade
- 1:00 PM: Children's Carnival Parade through the city centre
- Organised by the Nuremberg City Youth Welfare Office
- Child-friendly route, games and entertainment
Accompanying Events
- 01/31/2026 – Jambo-Jambo Ball at Parks Nürnberg
- 02/12/2026 – Weiberfasching at Heilig-Geist-Saal
- 02/14/2026 – Carnival parties at various locations
Highlights Nuremberg Carnival Parade 2026
- Bavaria's largest carnival parade with around 100,000 spectators
- Route from Bayreuther Straße to Weißen Turm
- Around 40 groups, guards and music bands
- Children's Carnival Parade on Shrove Monday
- Documented tradition since 1397
Prices Nuremberg Carnival Parade 2026
Admission to the carnival parade and the children's carnival parade is free. Separate tickets are sold for balls and gala sessions – prices range from €20 to €60 depending on the event. Food and drinks at the stalls along the route are paid for individually.
Practical information — Nuremberg Carnival Parade
Getting There
By train to Nuremberg Central Station. U-Bahn lines U1 (Lorenzkirche, Weißer Turm) and U2 (Wöhrder Wiese) go directly to the parade route. Driving into the city centre is severely restricted on parade days; Park-and-Ride is recommended.
Admission
The carnival parade is free and open to all spectators.
Tips
Dress warmly, arrive early – good spots at the Hauptmarkt grandstand and the Weißen Turm are quickly taken. Balls and gala sessions require separate tickets.
Contact
Förderverein Nürnberger Fastnachtszug e.V., Heimgartenweg 45, 90480 Nuremberg. Current route and programme information at fnf-nbg.de.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Nuremberg Carnival Parade al mejor precio.
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Where it takes place Nuremberg Carnival Parade
Innenstadt Nürnberg – Bayreuther Straße bis Weißer Turm
Bayreuther Straße, 90491 Nürnberg