Rosenmontagszug Eitorf

Carnival in the Sieg Valley

Eitorf, with just under 19,000 inhabitants, is the largest municipality in the Sieg Valley between Siegburg and Hennef. The carnival tradition dates back a long way: organized carnival celebrations existed in the town as early as the mid-19th century, and the current Festausschuss Eitorfer Karneval e.V. has been preserving the custom for decades. For those who want to experience Rhineland carnival outside the major cities (Cologne, Düsseldorf, Mainz), Eitorf offers a concentrated, almost familiar version – with everything that makes Rosenmontag special, but without the massive crowds.

The Parade: Choreography Through the Village

Precisely at 2:11 PM – the symbolic carnival time – the Rosenmontagszug sets in motion. Around 60 floats with themes on current events, politics, and local happenings, plus numerous walking groups in costume, music bands, dance troupes, horse-drawn carriages, and riders, along with the Eitorf Prince and Princess and their court. The route leads through the town center: Bahnhofstraße → Brückenstraße → Markt → Asbacher Straße → Mittelstraße. Along the route, locals and carnival enthusiasts from the entire Rhein-Sieg district will be showered with "Kamelle" (sweets), flowers, and small gifts.

Follow-up Party on the Markt

As soon as the parade reaches the end of Mittelstraße, the big carnival party begins on the Markt: DJ sets, live music with carnival classics (Cologne hits, party music), stage shows with the Prince and Princess and carnival societies, and open-air catering. Those who experienced the parade from the roadside can seamlessly transition into the evening celebration.

Festausschuss and Clubs

The Festausschuss Eitorfer Karneval e.V. not only coordinates the Rosenmontagszug but also the entire carnival season: opening of the season on November 11th, proclamation of the Prince, carnival sessions, ladies' session, children's carnival session. With the Rosenmontagszug, Eitorf's club landscape celebrates its greatest visibility – shooting clubs, parish communities, sports clubs, schools, the volunteer fire department, and several carnival societies build new floats annually.

Eitorf in the Sieg Valley

For those already in Eitorf, the Sieg Valley tour can be easily extended: the Nature Park Bergisches Land begins right at the town's edge, the Sieg River invites you to hike and cycle, and Schloss Auel near Lohmar and the nearby Drachenfels near Königswinter are reachable in about 30 minutes.