Rottweil Narrensprung
- 8 February 2027 – 9 February 2027
- Rottweil, Baden-Württemberg
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 traditional Narrensprung of the Rottweil Fasnet on Rose Monday and Shrove Tuesday, with a jester parade through the old town. The date follows from Easter; the exact schedule is set by the guild.
Source: https://www.festivalsindeutschland.de/fr/festival/rottweiler-narrensprung-rottweil · Checked 2026-10-08
What the Narrensprung is
The Narrensprung is the great jester parade of the Rottweil Fasnet, one of the best known carnival traditions of the Swabian-Alemannic region. Unlike the Rhineland carnival with its floats and sweets, this is an older, more ritual form of Fasnet: costumed figures in traditional dress move through the old town in organised groups, led by the local guild. Visitors who expect confetti and pop music will meet something quieter in tone but far more precise in its rules.
The parade takes place on Rose Monday and Shrove Tuesday, and the town of Rottweil in the Neckar valley, close to the edge of the Black Forest, is entirely given over to it for those two days.
2027 dates and how they follow Easter
In 2027 Rose Monday is Monday 8 February and Shrove Tuesday is Tuesday 9 February, so the Narrensprung is expected on those two days. These dates are rule-based: they are calculated from Easter, which falls on 28 March 2027, with Rose Monday 48 days earlier. The calculation is reliable, but the exact hours and the order of events are fixed by the Rottweil Narrenzunft, the guild, so check its published schedule closer to the date.
Ash Wednesday follows on 10 February, and the Fasnet is over. Weiberfastnacht, the Thursday before, falls on 4 February, but in Rottweil the heart of the tradition lies on the Monday and Tuesday.
History and character of the Fasnet
Rottweil describes itself as one of the oldest towns in Baden-Württemberg, with Roman roots, and its Fasnet is deeply tied to that sense of continuity. The costumes, called Narrenkleider, are handed down and treated with great care. Figures such as the Federahannes with his tall feather headdress and the Biß with his fringed costume are among the well known characters, and the sound of the Gschell, the heavy bells the jesters wear, is the soundtrack of the day.
The guild guards the rules about who may wear which costume and when. Visitors can watch and take photographs, but this is a living custom, not a show staged for tourists, so a respectful distance and attention to the marshals are appropriate.
What to see, do and eat
The best way to experience the day is to find a spot along the old town streets early and watch the groups pass. Between parade phases, walk to the Kapellenturm, the elegant tower of the Kapellenkirche, and look at the long main street with its historic houses. The Roman history of the town is covered in the local museum, and the Test Tower of the elevator industry on the edge of town, with its public viewing platform, offers a view of the whole region.
Food in the taverns follows Swabian habits: Saure Kutteln, Linsen mit Spätzle and Saitenwürste, sausages, and sweet Fasnetsküchle, the fried dough pastries of the season. Wine from Württemberg or local beer is the usual drink.
Getting there and where to stay
Rottweil lies on the A81 motorway between Stuttgart and Lake Constance, which makes the drive straightforward, but parking in the centre is limited and streets close during the parade, so use the park-and-walk options the town signposts. By train, Rottweil is on the Gäubahn line between Stuttgart and Singen. Since the Gäubahn has seen planned interruptions and diversions in recent years, check current timetable information before you travel.
Hotels in the town are few and fill up long in advance for Fasnet. Look at nearby towns such as Oberndorf, Villingen-Schwenningen, Tuttlingen or Schramberg, and book as early as you can.
Public holidays and vacation days
Neither day is a statutory public holiday in Baden-Württemberg, even though carnival is a day off for many local people. The two parade days are a Monday and a Tuesday, so seeing both costs two vacation days, while seeing only the Monday costs one, and arriving on the weekend of 6 and 7 February costs nothing extra. The nearest public holidays are Epiphany on Wednesday 6 January and Good Friday on 26 March, so there is no bridge day here. If you want to make a longer trip of it, a stay from Saturday to Tuesday needs just those two days.
The Narrensprung suits photographers, lovers of regional folk culture and anyone curious about the older face of German carnival. Dress warmly, because February in the Neckar valley can be cold, and check the guild's website for the latest times.
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Written and maintained by Basaveswara Rao. Last reviewed on October 10, 2026.