Rosensonntagszug Boele

Hagen's Largest Carnival Parade

The Rosensonntagszug in Boele is by far the largest carnival parade in Hagen — and also one of the most traditional. Organized by the Loßröcke Boele e.V. (founded 1861), the parade has been taking place on Carnival Sunday for over 160 years through the northern district of Boele. In 2026, the date falls on Sunday, February 15.

The Loßröcke Boele — Carnival Society Since 1861

The Loßröcke Boele e.V. are one of the oldest carnival societies in the Westphalian Sauerland region and the joint organizers of Hagen's carnival in the north. Their name goes back to historical carnival parades of the 19th century, in which loose, imaginatively designed skirts were the trademark of the participants. Since its founding in 1861, the association has organized the Rosensonntagszug every year — an unbroken tradition, only interrupted by wars and pandemics.

Tradition for Boele, Boelerheide, and Vorhalle

In Hagen's north, the carnival family includes the three districts of Boele, Boelerheide, and Vorhalle. Carnival societies and clubs from all three districts participate in the Rosensonntagszug — with floats, walking groups, music bands, and guards. The Hagen Prince and Princess couple greet the carnival societies from the town hall as they pass the stage.

Program and Atmosphere

The parade starts in the early afternoon and covers about 2–3 kilometers through Boele — past the town hall, through the main streets of the district. Around 30–40 floats and walking groups are involved, along with several music bands and marching bands. Thousands of revellers line the streets, especially families with children, who wait with large bags for the sweets. Classic Rhineland-Westphalian style with "Hagen Helau".

Carnival in the Sauerland Context

Hagen is located on the edge of the Sauerland region and maintains its own carnival tradition, combining Rhineland influences (sweets, carnival queens, prince couple) with Sauerland peculiarities. The Loßröcke Boele and the sister carnival societies in Hagen's north have developed their own unique identity since the 19th century — the Rosensonntagszug is their most visible expression.

Hagen — City Between the Ruhr Area and Sauerland

Hagen, with around 189,000 inhabitants, is the gateway to the Sauerland and the fifth-largest city in North Rhine-Westphalia after Cologne, Düsseldorf, Dortmund, and Essen. The Rosensonntagszug in Boele, alongside the Hagen Kirmes (fair), is one of the city's largest public festival events. Anyone from Boele has shouted "Hagen Helau" at least once as a child or teenager — pure generational memory.