Name: Ulmer Narrensprung (Ulmzug) 2026
Start: 2026-01-25T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-01-25T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Ulmer Altstadt

Ulmzug

About Ulmzug

On Sunday, January 25, 2026, at 1:13 PM, the Ulmzug starts in front of Ulm Minster — the grand carnival parade of the Ulmer Narrenzunft and one of the most important dates in the Swabian-Alemannic Carnival. 74 groups with around 4,500 active jesters, witches, wolves, drum orchestras, and fanfares parade from the Minster through the Old Town — Schuhhausgasse, Judenhof, Karpfengasse, Hafengasse, Breite Gasse, Kornhausgasse, Bärengasse, Hafenbad, Herrenkellergasse, Platzgasse back to Münsterplatz. Over 20,000 spectators line the route. Characteristic: the jester call of the Ulmer Narrenzunft “Zong — raus!”.

Dates 25 Jan — 25 Jan 2026

Venue Ulm (08421)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Ulmzug — edition 2026

The 2026 Ulmzug starts on Sunday, January 25, 2026, at 1:13 PM in front of Ulm Minster. 74 groups with around 4,500 active jesters, witches, wolves, drum orchestras, and fanfares parade about 2.5 kilometers through Ulm's Old Town — Schuhhausgasse, Judenhof, Karpfengasse, Hafengasse, Breite Gasse, Kornhausgasse, Bärengasse, Hafenbad, Herrenkellergasse, Platzgasse, back to Münsterplatz. Live moderation at 7 stations. Free admission.

Swabian-Alemannic Carnival 2026

The 2026 Ulmzug continues a tradition that has been celebrated annually in Ulm since the founding of the Narrenzunft in 1925. Precisely at 1:13 PM, the parade sets in motion — the Narrenzunft Ulm at the front, followed by 73 other guilds from Upper Swabia, the Allgäu, the Black Forest, and Baden.

The parade is both a folk festival and a preservation of custom: the carved wooden masks are sometimes 100 years old, and the Häs (costumes) are passed down through generations within the associations. Each guild presents its own character — the Ulm "Donaunixe", the "Bärenfrätzle", the witches from Untermarchtal, the wolves from Söflingen, the drum orchestras from Memmingen, and many more.

Highlights Ulmzug 2026

Punctual start at 1:13 PM — the carnival "eleven" number
74 groups with 4,500 active participants
20,000+ spectators along the route
2.5 km route through Ulm's Old Town
Live moderation at 7 stations
Carved wooden masks, traditional Häs, passed down through generations
Free admission, family-friendly custom

Programme Ulmzug 2026

Schedule January 25, 2026

Morning — Setup and gathering of the guilds at Münsterplatz
1:13 PM — Start of the Ulmzug in front of Ulm Minster
1:13 PM–4:00 PM — Parade through the Old Town:

Route: Münsterplatz → Schuhhausgasse → Judenhof → Karpfengasse → Hafengasse → Breite Gasse → Kornhausgasse → Bärengasse → Hafenbad → Herrenkellergasse → Platzgasse → Münsterplatz

At 7 stations — Live moderation with explanations of guild traditions, masks, and jester calls
After the parade — Jester's mass, guild meetings, and Hocketses in the Old Town

Participants

74 groups in total
4,500 active jesters
20,000+ spectators along the route
Jester guilds, witches, wolves, drum orchestras, fanfares, dance groups
Well-known jester calls: Ulmer Narrenzunft “Zong — raus!”, other guilds “Donau — Hexa!”, “Helau — Blau Blau!”

Prices Ulmzug 2026

Free admission along the entire parade route. Grandstand seats only by registration via the Narrenzunft Ulm.

Practical information

Practical information — Ulmzug

Getting There

Ulm Hauptbahnhof is directly accessible by ICE/IC from Stuttgart (1 h), Munich (1 h 15), and Frankfurt (2 h 30). From the main station, it's a 10-minute walk to Münsterplatz. By car: Parking in the city center parking garages (P Bahnhofstraße, P Münsterplatz). More information at parken-in-ulm.de.

Admission

The parade is freely accessible along the route. Places at the main points (Münsterplatz, Hafenbad) are occupied early — it is recommended to be there at least 30 minutes before 1:13 PM. Special sale of grandstand seats for regular visitors via the Narrenzunft Ulm.

With Children

The Ulmzug is very family-friendly; the jesters throw sweets and small gifts into the audience. Please consider using baby carriers and safety around the drum orchestras (very loud).

Swabian-Alemannic Carnival in Ulm

The Swabian-Alemannic Carnival is one of the oldest and most intense carnival traditions in Southern Germany — rooted in Catholic customs, characterized by carved wooden masks, traditional costume wearers, and jester calls instead of the Rhineland's “Helau”. In Ulm, the Narrenzunft Ulm has been preserving this tradition since 1925. The Ulmzug on Carnival Sunday is its highlight and one of the largest parades of the Swabian-Alemannic Carnival.

Start at 1:13 PM — the Carnival Hour

The symbolic start time of 1:13 PM refers to the carnival "eleven" number — the beginning of the jesters' revelry. The participating groups gather in front of Ulm Minster from late morning, and precisely at 1:13 PM, the parade sets in motion. The Narrenzunft Ulm traditionally leads the procession, followed by friendly guilds from Upper Swabia, the Allgäu, and Baden.

74 Groups, 4,500 Jesters

In 2026, around 74 groups with approximately 4,500 active participants are registered — including jesters, witches, wolves, drum orchestras, fanfares, and dance groups from the entire region. Each group has its own jester call, which is shouted along the route and echoed by the audience. The Ulmer Narrenzunft calls “Zong — raus!”, other well-known calls include “Donau — Hexa!”, “Helau — Blau Blau!” and depending on the guild, also “Hoorig hoorig!” or “Naari naaro!”.

The Parade Route

The Ulmzug starts at Münsterplatz and proceeds clockwise through Ulm's Old Town: Schuhhausgasse, Judenhof, Karpfengasse, Hafengasse, Breite Gasse, Kornhausgasse, Bärengasse, Hafenbad, Herrenkellergasse, Platzgasse — and back to Münsterplatz. A total of about 2.5 kilometers through the historic center. At seven marked points, there is live moderation explaining the guild traditions to the audience.

Narrensprung — The Custom

The "Narrensprung" is more than just a parade: the jesters in their traditional costumes jump and dance rhythmically through the streets, swinging their bells and chimes, giving sweets and small gifts to the spectators. The carved masks are often family heirlooms, and the Häs (costumes) are passed down through generations. Behind the cheerful activity lies an ancient tradition meant to drive away evil winter spirits and welcome spring.

City of Ulm

Ulm is a district city in Baden-Württemberg, located on the Danube, opposite its Bavarian sister city Neu-Ulm. With nearly 130,000 inhabitants, Ulm is the economic and cultural center of Upper Swabia — known for its Minster with the world's tallest church tower (161.53 m), the Fischerviertel with its half-timbered houses, and its close connection to Albert Einstein, who was born in Ulm.