Rosenmontagszug Krefeld

Carnival on the Lower Rhine – Krefeld's Tradition

The Rosenmontagszug is the highlight of the Krefeld carnival session and one of the largest carnival parades on the left bank of the Rhine. The city of velvet and silk cultivates its own distinct carnival tradition, differentiating itself from the Rhenish carnival strongholds of Cologne and Düsseldorf: down-to-earth, community-driven, and deeply rooted in the local districts.

When and Where is the Parade?

The 2026 Rosenmontagszug will take place on Monday, February 16, 2026, starting at 12:11 PM through Krefeld's city centre. The assembly point is Sprödentalplatz, from where the route leads via Uerdinger Straße, then over Viktoria- and Cracauer Straße to Theaterplatz. The Comitée Crefelder Carneval has once again opted for the proven route through the city centre.

What to Expect at the Parade

Expect a classic Rhenish carnival parade with all the trimmings:

• Around 200,000 spectators line the streets along the entire route
• More than 1,400 participants in floats, walking groups, and bands
• Tons of Kamelle (sweets), Strüßjer (small bouquets), and plush toys are thrown into the crowd
• Motto floats featuring political and social satire
• Guards in uniform from Krefeld's carnival societies
• Live broadcast by several channels and a live blog from the Westdeutsche Zeitung newspaper

Comitée Crefelder Carneval – The Umbrella Organisation

The Comitée Crefelder Carneval von 2014 e.V. is the association of Krefeld's carnival societies and the organiser of the Rosenmontagszug. The organisation coordinates the assembly, logistics, security concept with the police and city authorities, and external communication for the session. The Prince and Princess for the 2025/2026 session were proclaimed in early November 2025 and will lead the parade.

The Session Around Rose Monday

The Rosenmontagszug is embedded within an entire carnival week:

• Weiberfastnacht (Women's Carnival Day) (Thursday, 12.02.2026) – traditional storming of the town hall at 4:11 PM
• Carnival Saturday – pub and hall carnival throughout the city
• Tulpensonntag (Tulip Sunday) – smaller neighbourhood parades in Krefeld's districts (Uerdingen, Linn, Bockum, Hüls)
• Rosenmontag (Rose Monday) (16.02.2026) – the grand main parade through the city centre
• Veilchendienstag (Violet Tuesday) – burning of the Nubbel (straw figure representing sins) and end of the carnival session

Krefeld – City of Velvet, Silk, and Carnival

Krefeld is the largest city on the left bank of the Rhine and the seat of the Krefeld district (a self-governing city). The textile city, once the world capital of silk processing, with about 230,000 inhabitants, is also a heavyweight in terms of carnival in North Rhine-Westphalia. While Cologne and Düsseldorf attract media attention, Krefeld cultivates its own, somewhat quieter style of carnival – and that's precisely what makes the Rosenmontagszug the most beautiful parade on the Lower Rhine for many.