Karnival 2025

The Karneval season is back, here you can find out about the range of events leading up to the main parade parties on "Rose Monday."

This year Rose Monday is the 3rd of March. Most cities and towns will be staging parades. Some like Cologne have a whole week of celebrations. 

Our home state NRW can rightly claim to be the capital of Karneval. With the OG event in Cologne which has held over 200 Karneval parties. Aachen, Bonn, Dusseldorf, and Paderborn all stage events. 

Cologne / Koln 

Cologne is the beating heart of Karneval. all the colours, costumes and people you could want. Join the "Jecken" for the day.  Wear your most colourful outfits and shout out "Kölle alaaf!".

There are six days if partying for the "Jecken" to enjoy. The Women's carnival starts the party and it finishes with Violet Tuesday.

• Weiberfastnacht: Thursday, 27th February 2025
• Carnival Friday: Friday, 28th February 2025
• Carnival Saturday: 1st March 2025
• Carnival Sunday, 2nd March 2025
• Rose Monday: Monday, 3rd March 2025
• Violet Tuesday: Tuesday, 4th March 2025

Full listings of events online here

Duseldorf

Women’s Carnival Day
27th February 2025, 11:11 a.m. Düsseldorf Altstadt (Old Town)
The women of the city traditionally ‘storm’ the Rathaus (city hall), followed by a street carnival in the Altstadt (Old Town)

Children’s and Youth Procession
1st March 2025, 14:00 p.m. Düsseldorf city centre
Young and old carnival revellers ("Jecken") gather to march through Düsseldorf’s city centre – a must for all families.

Carnival Sunday ‘Kö-Treiben’
2nd March 2025, from morning, Königsallee
Informal street carnival on Königsallee, with spectacular costumes and small ‘home-made’ floats.

Rosenmontagszug (Rose Monday Parade)
3rd March 2025, 12:30 Düsseldorf city centre
The grandest procession, with decorated floats and countless revellers on foot parading through the city centre. The politically themed floats of satirist Jacques Tilly are famous the world over.

Full details online here

Aachen

Aachen is well known for its children's festival days. The procession extends over approx. 5 km and involves over 170 associations presenting their distinctive costumes and imaginatively designed floats.

Full details Here

Bonn

Home to the original Laundry Princess rebellion in 1823. The citizens celebrate Women's day and Rose Monday. where people line the streets and shout for "kamelle" / candy as the parade floats pass by throwing treats to the crowd. 

Full details here 

Bielefeld

You will find a smaller event in bielefeld. The local carnival committee plans and stages an event in a local high school. tickets are on sale now and are 10 EUR pp.

More details here. 

Hannover 

The parade stats at 13:11 with floats and marching bands. The Hanover parade happens earlier than Rose Monday with the main event in 2025 on the 1st March.

Full details here

Paderborn 

1st March 2025 - Main parade Paderborn Rathaus - Starts at 14:14 sharp!

Here is where to learn more about Karneval and the origins of the festival.

Full details here