Überlingen Fasnacht — Grand Parade

Swabian-Alemannic Fasnacht on Lake Constance

The Überlingen Fasnacht is one of the outstanding carnival strongholds of the Swabian-Alemannic Fasnet — a cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage. While Cologne, Düsseldorf, and Mainz celebrate Karneval, a very distinct, archaic-ritualistic form thrives on the southern shores of Lake Constance: no seated events, no prince couples, but rather guilds (Zünfte), Häs (traditional costumes), witch figures, traditional dances, and parades with centuries of history. The Überlingen Fasnacht 2026 is organized by the guild Überlinger Löwen (main guild) and the traditional Hänselezunft Überlingen e.V., which preserves the Hänsele costume.

The Hänsele — Emblem of the Überlingen Fasnacht

Überlingen's most famous figure is the Hänsele — a costume adorned with countless colorful fabric patches, a wooden mask, and a Karbatsche (whip) as its attribute. During the Hänsele-Juck, the Hänsele jumps and dances rhythmically through the streets of the old town, cracking its Karbatsche, teasing spectators without harming them — a fascinating, almost shamanistic street dance found only in this form in Überlingen. The Hänsele-Juck can be seen multiple times daily during the festival days and is the most impressive experience of the Überlingen Fasnacht for many visitors.

The Grand Parade on Sunday

The highlight of the festival is the Grand Parade on Fasnacht Sunday, February 15th, 2026. It starts in the afternoon and winds through Überlingen's old town — past the Minster, across Hofstatt-Platz, and the promenade at Lake Constance. Participants include the Überlinger Löwen, the Hänselezunft, and numerous friendly guilds and carnival figures from the Lake Constance region and Further Austria. Hundreds of Häs, witches, devils, animal figures, and characters, accompanied by Guggenmusik (brass bands) — a colorful, noisy spectacle in the heart of the historic lakeside city.

Schmotziger Donnerstag, Hemdglonker, and More

The Fasnacht opens on Schmotziger Donnerstag, February 12th, 2026, with the traditional Rathaussturm (Town Hall Storm) — the jesters take over the city's keys of power. This is followed by the Hemdglonkerumzug on Thursday evening (jesters parade through town in their nightgowns), school liberations, and club celebrations. On Fasnacht Saturday, February 14th, 2026 (starting around 5:30 PM), an evening parade takes place; on Fasnacht Monday, February 16th, 2026 (starting around 5:00 PM), another one follows. Ash Wednesday (February 18th) concludes the Fasnacht with the Hänsele burning and the end of the carnival days.

Überlingen on Lake Constance

Überlingen is a charming lakeside town with around 23,000 inhabitants in the Bodenseekreis district (Baden-Württemberg). The old town, with the mighty St. Nicholas Minster, the city walls, patrician houses, and the promenade directly on the lake, provides an extraordinary backdrop for the Fasnacht. It's a 10-minute walk from the train station to Münsterplatz — the city center is partially closed during the parades; parking garages on the outskirts are recommended.