Waldshut Alemannic Fasnacht — Närrische Gass

Waldshut on the High Rhine and its Fasnacht

Waldshut, now part of the twin city Waldshut-Tiengen in the Waldshut district (AGS 08337), is located directly on the High Rhine opposite the Swiss town of Koblenz. The city culturally belongs to the Alemannic region — and this is reflected in its Fasnacht: Swabian-Alemannic Fasnacht, the pre-Easter carnival with witches, jesters, and animal figures that drive away cold and winter. The organizer is the Narro-Zunft Waldshut, one of the oldest guilds on the High Rhine.

Schmutziger Dunschtig — February 12, 2026

The kick-off on Schmutziger Dunschtig (February 12, 2026): at 5 AM Geltenwecken — the jesters parade through the city, waking up the citizens with the sounds of barrels, bells, and shouts. Symbolically, this ends the 'normal' day and begins the Fasnacht season. In the afternoon at 2:30 PM, a children's parade — children from schools and kindergartens march through the city center in costumes.

Kappenabende in the Stadthalle — February 13–14

Friday, Feb 13th, and Saturday, Feb 14th, evenings in the Stadthalle Waldshut: the Kappenabende — show evenings with local satirists (Büttenredner), singing groups, dance groups, and many allusions to local politics. Tickets are usually available in advance and regularly sell out.

Närrische Gass on Fasnacht Monday — February 16

The highlight of the Waldshut Fasnacht: on Fasnacht Monday, February 16, 2026, starting at 11:11 AM, the Närrische Gass on Kaiserstraße. The entire main street is closed and belongs to the jesters — costumed people of all kinds, brass bands (Guggenmusiken), witches, jesters, costumed individuals from all over the region. Stages along the street offer music, the pubs open their doors, cold beer and hot soup against the February cold. A street carnival lasting for hours until late in the evening.

Highly Notorious Mock Court and Burning

On Fasnacht Tuesday (Feb 17th), the traditional closing ritual takes place: the Fasnachts-Verbrennung (Fasnacht burning) in the market square. A symbolic straw figure, the 'Fasnachts-Bock' (Fasnacht buck), is accused and burned — the end of the Fasnacht period, transition to Lent. In Tiengen (twin city), the 'Hochnotpeinliche Malefiz-Narrengericht' (highly notorious mock court of jesters) takes place on Saturday — a satirical court hearing at the Storchenturm, where a local personality is put on trial.

Tradition and Tourists

The Waldshut Fasnacht is deeply rooted in the region and attracts visitors from the Black Forest, Switzerland, and Aargau. Together with the Tiengen Fasnacht, it forms the High Rhine Jester District. Every four years, the Hochrhein-Narrentreffen (High Rhine Jester Meeting) takes place — a large gathering of all surrounding guilds.