Carnival in Dusseldorf 2026
Here in the Rhineland, we call it the “Fifth Season”. This refers to the famous Dusseldorf Carnival, renowned far beyond our regional borders.
Starting with the Awakening of Hoppeditz 11.11.2024, the Carnival season reaches its peak during the weekend from Women’s Carnival Day to Rose Monday 16.02.2026. The Fifth Season comes to an end with the Funeral of Hoppeditz on Ash Wednesday 18.02.2026.
Mer bliewe bunt - ejal wat kütt!
Session Motto 2025/2026.The current route for the 2026 Rose Monday Parade can be found here.
Carnival in Dusseldorf - is boundlessly fun
Carnival in Dusseldorf
is boundlessly fun
200 Johr - Hütt on wie et wor
Dusseldorf Carnival Session Motto
2025/2026
Current Session:
Women’s Carnival Day - Thursday, 12.02.2026
Rose Monday - 16.02.2026
Hoppeditz Awakening
11.11.2024
Every year on November 11th, the mischievous Hoppeditz emerges from his mustard pot in front of thousands of eager carnival enthusiasts at the town hall. With sharp wit, he humorously critiques Dusseldorf’s city events and leadership. This marks the start of the new Carnival session.
Women’s Carnival Day
12.02.2026
Watch out when they take over! The Thursday before Rose Monday, known as Women’s Carnival Day, is ruled by the "Möhnen" (women revelers). With the storming of the town hall, they officially kick off the street carnival in Dusseldorf’s Old Town.
Carnival Sunday on the Kö
15.02.2026
The dress rehearsal for Dusseldorf’s Rose Monday Parade takes place on Carnival Sunday along Königsallee. Thousands of carnival enthusiasts, often dressed in elaborate costumes, stroll along the Kö in a street carnival open to everyone. It’s all about great vibes, lively music, swaying to the rhythm, seeing and being seen, and of course, plenty of kisses and fun. Carnival Sunday on Königsallee is an event you simply can’t miss.
Rose Monday
16.02.2026
The undisputed annual highlight of the Dusseldorf Carnival is, of course, Rose Monday. Around 8,000 costumed carnival enthusiasts join 85 walking groups and approximately 100 elaborately designed theme floats (some created by Jacques Tilly), accompanied by up to 30 marching bands, parading through Dusseldorf’s city center. More than half a million carnival fans from around the world line the streets, enthusiastically shouting “Dusseldorf Helau” while catching as many sweets as possible.
Ash Wednesday
18.02.2026
All good things must come to an end, and so does the annual Dusseldorf Carnival. On Ash Wednesday, following Rose Monday, the mischievous Hoppeditz is symbolically laid to rest, marking the close of the carnival season—only to be revived on November 11th with the Hoppeditz Awakening, kicking off the next session. A few hundred mourning carnival fans gather with sprigs of parsley, crocodile tears, and loud wailing for the symbolic funeral procession.
By the way, the carnival call of the Dusseldorf revelers and jesters is HELAU or "Dusseldorf Helau".
Rose Monday Parade – 16.02.2026
To ensure the safety of all participants, comprehensive traffic restrictions will be implemented in multiple phases starting at 6:15 AM and will be lifted by 7:00 PM. These closures are vital and are coordinated closely with the Düsseldorf police.
Traffic Closures and Route
The parade route passes along streets such as Corneliusstraße, Hüttenstraße, Königsallee, and Friedrichstraße. Strict parking bans are in effect along this route – illegally parked vehicles will be towed without exception.
The closures are carried out in three phases:
- Phase 1: From 7:30 AM, Merowinger Straße will be closed from the Südring towards the city center. The police will ensure a controlled crossing of the Südring.
- Phase 2: Starting at 8:00 AM, areas around the assembly point—particularly near the Kö-Bogen Tunnel and Berliner Allee—will be closed, and traffic will be diverted southward.
- Phase 3: From 8:30 AM, the entire area along the parade route will be blocked off. Additionally, from 10:00 AM, the Rheinalleetunnel in the direction of Düsseldorf will be closed.
Lifting the Closures
After the assembly point has been cleared and cleaned, the north-south axis will be gradually reopened to traffic. All closures are expected to be lifted by around 7:00 PM.
Important Instructions
All road users are required to strictly adhere to the designated parking bans. Violations on Rose Monday will be dealt with severely.
Recommended Travel Options & Traffic Measures
Traveling by Public Transport
Due to the high number of visitors, the city of Düsseldorf strongly recommends using bus and train. This travel option helps avoid traffic jams and ensures a smooth experience during the festivities.
Restrictions for Car and Bicycle Traffic
Drivers are advised to avoid the city center, as key parking garages and access roads will be temporarily closed. Cyclists will also face restrictions on special event days, though alternative detour routes are available.
Comprehensive Safety Measures
Extensive traffic closures along the parade route are essential for a safe event. Additionally, parking bans are enforced and taxi stands, for example at Burgplatz, are relocated. These measures are continuously adjusted based on current visitor numbers to ensure maximum safety at all times.
All information without guarantee.
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Karneval-in-Düsseldorf.de
is a free, independent and non-profit website about Düsseldorf customs. We invite all carnivalists to actively participate in our internet project. Karneval-in-Düsseldorf.de is a tradition project by redaktion-i-media and rimVERLAG. Since 2007 we have been reporting on our carnival as "Local Patriots" and showing the world how beautiful our Düsseldorf customs are. All content without guarantee, of course.
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Fotos: Karlheinz Hillesheim, Stadtplan über den Rosenmontag-Zugverlauf auf dieser Webseite von der redaktion-i-media.de
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