Wittlich Carnival Parade – Parade of the Merry People
Grand Carnival Sunday Parade through Wittlich city center with numerous carnival floats and music groups
About Parade of the Merry People
Carnival in Wittlich
Wittlich, the district town of Bernkastel-Wittlich and home of the Säubrennerkirmes in summer, is also one of the liveliest places in the region during Carnival. The "Parade of the Merry People" carnival parade has been a firm institution for decades and attracts tens of thousands of visitors to the city center every year.
Carnival Sunday, February 15, 2026
The parade takes place on Carnival Sunday, February 15, 2026. It begins at 2:11 PM – the symbolic carnival time. The convoy moves through the city center and is followed for several hours by a dense line of spectators.
Numerous Floats and Music Groups
The program includes numerous carnival floats with elaborate decorations, music bands, traditional costume groups, drum corps, dance groups, and carnival clubs from Wittlich and the wider region. The floats are traditionally built over months of preparation and often humorously address current political or social issues.
Atmosphere and Tradition
The Wittlich Carnival Parade combines Rhenish-Palatinate carnival traditions with the Mosel's own variant: very colorful, very loud, very convivial, and with great participation from local clubs and schools. Costumed visitors are explicitly welcome and shape the image of the city center on Carnival Sunday.
Parade of the Merry People — edition 2026
The 2026 edition follows the proven tradition. Starts at 2:11 PM (the symbolic carnival time), parade lasts several hours through the city center.
The floats are built over months of preparation by the participating clubs. They often humorously address current political or social issues and are a showcase of Wittlich Carnival.
Programme Parade of the Merry People 2026
Schedule February 15, 2026
The exact program for 2026 will be published by the organizer in January/February. The key points from the sources:
- 2:11 PM: Start of the parade at the traditional assembly route in Wittlich city center
- 2:11 PM – approx. 5:00 PM: Parade of carnival floats, music bands, traditional costume groups, and carnival clubs through the city center; the audience lines the route and catches thrown items (candies, sweets)
- Afterwards: Carnival celebrations and parties in the city center venues and clubhouses until late in the evening
List of Participating Clubs
The list of participating clubs and floats will be published on the Wittlich city website shortly before the event.
Highlights Parade of the Merry People 2026
Prices Parade of the Merry People 2026
Practical information — Parade of the Merry People
Getting There
Wittlich is located directly on the A 1 / A 60 (Wittlich exit). By train, you can connect via Wittlich station (Trier–Koblenz line). During the parade, the city center will be closed to traffic; travel by public transport or designated Park & Ride facilities is recommended.
Admission
Free admission. Those who wish to follow the parade can find a spot along the route.
Costume
Costuming is explicitly encouraged.
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