Cologne Carnival
- 4 February 2027 – 9 February 2027
- Köln, North Rhine-Westphalia
Rule-based. This date is computed from a known, fixed calendar rule, not announced by anyone, but the rule itself isn't in doubt.
The main phase starts with Weiberfastnacht on 4 February and ends on Shrove Tuesday. The Rosenmontag parade on 8 February is the high point, and inner-city accommodation books out months ahead. The dates follow from the date of Easter.
Source: https://koelnerkarneval.de · Checked 2026-10-08
What Cologne Carnival is
Cologne Carnival, known locally as Fastelovend, is one of the largest street carnivals in Germany. The festive season formally opens every year on 11 November at 11:11, but the part that most visitors mean is the street carnival in the days before Ash Wednesday, when the city fills with costumed crowds, music and processions. In this planner, the 2027 street carnival runs from Thursday 4 February to Tuesday 9 February.
The status is rule-based. The dates follow from the date of Easter and are not an organiser's announcement, so confirm the details of the programme, especially parade times, with the organiser at koelnerkarneval.de.
Dates and how they are set
Carnival is tied to Easter. Easter Sunday 2027 is 28 March, so Ash Wednesday falls on 10 February and the carnival days run backwards from there. Weiberfastnacht, the Thursday that starts the street carnival, is 4 February. Rosenmontag, the climax with the big parade, is Monday 8 February, and Shrove Tuesday (Veilchendienstag) is 9 February.
This is an early carnival in the calendar, with only a few weeks after the New Year. The weekend of 6 and 7 February falls in the middle, with Saturday for the street parties and Sunday for the neighbourhood parades by the Veedel, the local districts. Exact parade routes and times are published by the organisers closer to the date.
History and character
Cologne's carnival has a long tradition and a distinct local character: the Kölsch dialect, the satirical speeches, the songs in the local language and the Dreigestirn, the trio of Prince, Farmer and Maiden who lead the session. The carnival societies, called Gesellschaften, organise the large parades and the sessions in halls.
The tone is about letting go: strangers hug each other, costume is the dress code and the line between spectator and participant is thin. The days have their own rhythm, with the festive Thursday, a lively weekend, the grand finale on Monday and a quieter, more traditional end on Tuesday, when the straw figure of the Nubbel is burnt in many pubs.
What to see, do and eat
On Weiberfastnacht, people gather in the old town and in the Zülpicher Strasse area, and on Rosenmontag the parade winds through the city centre. If you do not want the crowd, the Sunday district parades and the smaller events in the neighbourhoods give a more local feel.
The drink of the season is Kölsch, served in small glasses in the Brauhäuser. Typical food includes the Halve Hahn, which is a rye roll with cheese, and Reibekuchen, potato pancakes. Costumes are not optional in spirit, so decide on yours early.
Getting there and where to stay
Cologne has one of the busiest railway stations in Germany, and the cathedral stands right next to it. On Rosenmontag and Weiberfastnacht trains to and from the city are crowded, so plan a late return or an early departure. A car is unhelpful, since the centre is closed or congested.
Hotels in central Cologne book out months in advance and charge carnival surcharges. Consider staying in Düsseldorf, Bonn or Leverkusen and commuting, but leave time for the return trip.
Planning around holidays and bridge days in 2027
In North Rhine-Westphalia, Weiberfastnacht and Rosenmontag are not public holidays. Many employers and schools give time off or an early finish, but this is custom, not law, so ask your employer. If you take the whole period, Thursday 4 February to Tuesday 9 February, you would need four vacation days: Thursday, Friday, Monday and Tuesday, with the weekend in between.
If you only want Rosenmontag, a Saturday-to-Monday trip takes one day. The nearest public holidays are Good Friday, 26 March, and Easter Monday, 29 March, which are after the carnival. Some local authorities and companies close at midday on Weiberfastnacht, so check your own contract. Ash Wednesday, 10 February, is a normal working day.
Tips and who it suits
Cologne Carnival suits people who enjoy crowds, costume and spontaneous socialising. It is less suited to visitors who want a calm city weekend, or families with small children on the loudest days.
Carry only what you need, wear comfortable shoes, and arrange where to meet if you lose your group. Because the dates are derived from Easter and not from an announcement, check the official calendar for the programme before you book.
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Written and maintained by Basaveswara Rao. Last reviewed on October 10, 2026.