Wellinger Rosenmontagsumzug

Rosenmontag in Saarland

Rosenmontag is no small affair in Saarland. While the major Karneval hubs of Cologne, Düsseldorf, and Mainz attract huge crowds, Saarland has its own "Faasend" (Carnival) tradition — and the Saarlouis district boasts one of its most vibrant strongholds: Saarwellingen, located between Saarlouis and Lebach. The Wellinger Rosenmontag parade is considered one of the largest Karneval parades in western Saarland and draws thousands of spectators from across Saarland and the border region each year.

50+ Floats, Hundreds of Participants

More than 50 floats and walking groups parade through the streets of Saarwellingen — and the number tends to grow each year. Participants include not only Karneval societies from Saarwellingen but also from neighboring municipalities in the Saarlouis district: Lebach, Schwalbach, Dillingen, Saarlouis. In addition, there are clubs, school classes, fire brigades, sports groups — anyone eager to compete with creative floats and costumes in the spirit of Carnival.

The Route

The parade starts at 2:00 PM in Bahnhofstraße, takes a large loop through Saarwellingen's town center, passes Schloßplatz with the baroque palace as a backdrop, turns into Vorstadtstraße, and finally dissolves in Anhofenstraße. Best viewing spots: at Schloßplatz (perfect for photos) or at the narrower sections of Bahnhofstraße (short distance to the floats).

The After-Parade Party

Unlike in many other places, Rosenmontag in Saarwellingen doesn't end with the parade. The big closing party awaits in the Wellinger Faasend festival tent from late afternoon onwards: in 2026, featuring the band Frontal, a well-known party band in Saarland. The celebration continues until the last spark of energy is exhausted in Anhofenstraße — usually well after midnight.

The Wellinger Faasend

The Rosenmontag parade is the grand finale of an entire Wellinger Faasend season, which begins weeks earlier with galas, costume balls, and children's performances. The event is organized by the municipality of Saarwellingen in cooperation with local Karneval clubs. Registrations for walking groups and floats are handled through the Saarwellinger Nachrichten and the municipal website.

In the Context of Saarland Karneval

Saarland's Karneval is more personal than the big city events and more centered around clubs. The Saarwellingen format combines these elements with the size and energy of a full-scale parade — a rare combination. If you want to experience Saarland Karneval in its concentrated form, this is the place to be. Bring a bag for sweets — the "Kamelle" (sweets) showers here are as generous as in Cologne.