490. Wasunger Karneval
One of Germany's oldest Karnevals — since 1524 with the battle cry «Woesinge Ahoi»
About Wasunger Karneval
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A Karneval with Five Centuries of History
The Wasunger Karneval is one of Germany's most distinctive Karneval traditions. Unlike the Rhineland strongholds of Cologne, Mainz, or Düsseldorf, a completely unique Karneval style has developed in the small half-timbered town of Wasungen in the Schmalkalden-Meiningen district over almost 500 years. First mentioned in writing in 1524, Wasungen is one of the oldest documented Karneval locations in the German-speaking world. Here, you won't experience a commercial parliamentary Karneval, but a deeply rooted folk tradition actively shaped each year by around 1,700 residents of Wasungen.
«Woesinge Ahoi» — The Call from the Water
Unlike the Rhineland's «Alaaf» or «Helau», the Wasungen revellers shout «Woesinge Ahoi». The maritime battle cry originates from the rafting tradition on the Werra river: for centuries, rafters from Wasungen transported wood and goods down the river to the Weser. Instead of a prince and princess couple, a single prince reigns in Wasungen, accompanied by two pages and a fool's court. This detail distinguishes the Wasunger Karneval from practically all other Karneval towns in Germany.
The 490th Edition in 2026 — Motto «One ons läufd gor näesd»
The 2026 motto is formulated in the Wasungen dialect and means «Without us, nothing runs» in High German. It honours the voluntary, grassroots nature of the festival, without which a Karneval of this magnitude in a small town would be unthinkable. The 490th edition runs from February 11th to 17th, 2026, following the time-tested sequence with a torchlight procession on Wednesday, three indoor events «Paradiesische Narretei» (Heavenly Foolishness), a kindergarten and school parade on Friday, the Grand Historical Festival Parade on Karneval Saturday (2:11 PM), and the key handover at Maienluft Castle on Shrove Tuesday.
Wasungen — The Town and the District
Wasungen is picturesquely located in the Werra valley in the state of Thuringia, Schmalkalden-Meiningen district. With around 4,000 inhabitants, the town is known for its over 200 listed half-timbered houses — an ideal backdrop for historical parades. During Karneval, thousands of visitors from all over Thuringia, Hesse, Bavaria, and beyond flock to the town each year. Reservations for the indoor events and grandstand seats for the parade are highly recommended.
Wasunger Karneval — edition 2026
490th Wasunger Karneval — Motto «One ons läufd gor näesd»
The 490th edition in 2026 celebrates a remarkable anniversary: half a millennium of organized Karneval in Wasungen. Throughout the week, public parades, indoor events, and traditions in the festival tent alternate. Karneval Saturday remains the grand showcase to the outside world — anyone who wants to experience the Wasunger Karneval should come on February 14th.
Three indoor events «Paradiesische Narretei» (Saturday, February 7th, 8:11 PM, Sunday, February 8th, 5:11 PM, Thursday, February 12th) open the season with humorous speeches, dances, and music. Tickets are regularly sold out weeks in advance.
Programme Wasunger Karneval 2026
Wasunger Karneval 2026 — Programme Overview
Kick-off
- Saturday, February 7th, 2026, 8:11 PM — «Paradiesische Narretei» Part 1
- Sunday, February 8th, 2026, 5:11 PM — «Paradiesische Narretei» Part 2
Wednesday, February 11th, 2026 — Start of Karneval Week
- 5:11 PM — Lighting the Karneval at the Fools' Castle
- 6:11 PM — Torchlight procession through the old town of Wasungen
Thursday, February 12th, 2026
- Evening — «Paradiesische Narretei» Part 3
Friday, February 13th, 2026
- 2:11 PM — Kindergarten and school parade through the town centre
- Evening — Celebrations in and around the «Deutsches Haus»
⭐ Saturday, February 14th, 2026 — Karneval Saturday
- 2:11 PM — Grand Historical Festival Parade
- Route: Assembly point «Rieth» → Bahnhofstraße → Neutor → Turmgasse → Untere Hauptstraße → Markt → Obere Hauptstraße → Meininger Straße → Damaschkestraße
- Nearly 1,700 participants in 90 individually designed parade floats
- Drum corps and bands
- Following: Mayor's committee with key handover, announcement of Prince 2026
Sunday, February 15th, 2026
- Colourful children's afternoon in the festival tent
Rose Monday, February 16th, 2026
- Grand award ceremony
Shrove Tuesday, February 17th, 2026
- 9:11 PM — Key handover at Maienluft Castle, end of Wasunger Karneval 2026
Detailed programme and ticket reservations: wccev.de.
Highlights Wasunger Karneval 2026
- 490th edition since 1524 — one of Germany's oldest Karneval traditions
- Motto «One ons läufd gor näesd» (Without us, nothing runs)
- Grand Historical Festival Parade Saturday, February 14th, 2:11 PM
- Nearly 1,700 participants in 90 parade floats
- Torchlight procession Wednesday, February 11th, 6:11 PM
- Kindergarten and school parade Friday, February 13th, 2:11 PM
- Key handover Maienluft Castle, Shrove Tuesday, 9:11 PM
- Battle cry «Woesinge Ahoi» from the Werra rafting tradition
Prices Wasunger Karneval 2026
Parades: free access along the route. Grandstand seats: fee applies, reservations recommended. Indoor events «Paradiesische Narretei»: tickets via the Wasunger Carneval Club e.V. — usually sell out weeks in advance.
Practical information — Wasunger Karneval
Date 2026
February 11th to 17th, 2026 — the 490th edition. Main parade on Saturday, February 14th, 2026, at 2:11 PM.
Location
Wasungen town centre, Werra Valley, Schmalkalden-Meiningen district. Maienluft Castle (above the town) for the key handover. Festival tent and event venues around the market square.
Getting There
By train: Wasungen station is on the Werrabahn line (Eisenach–Meiningen). By car: A71 exit Meiningen-Süd, then B19 to Wasungen. Extensive road closures are in effect during the parades — check wccev.de in advance.
Admission
Parades: free to access, grandstand seats for a fee. Indoor events «Paradiesische Narretei»: tickets via the Wasunger Carneval Club e.V. — usually sell out weeks in advance.
Organizer
Wasunger Carneval Club e.V., central contact point for programme, tickets, and grandstand seats. Web: wccev.de.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Wasunger Karneval al mejor precio.
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Where it takes place Wasunger Karneval
Innenstadt Wasungen, Burg Maienluft, Festzelt
Markt 1, 98634 Wasungen, 98634 Wasungen