Rottweil Narrensprung
- 28 February 2028 – 29 February 2028
- 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
The Rottweil Narrensprung in 2028
Each year the old town of Rottweil, on the upper Neckar at the edge of the Black Forest, hands itself over to the Fasnet. The high point is the Narrensprung, a parade of traditional jester figures that moves through the streets on Rose Monday and Shrove Tuesday. It belongs to the Swabian-Alemannic carnival tradition, which values costume, ritual and discipline more than floats and loud entertainment.
This page covers the 2028 edition, which has a particular calendar quirk worth knowing: the parade falls on the last two days of February, one of which is a leap day.
Dates and the leap-year effect
In 2028 Easter Sunday is 16 April, and counting back 48 days gives Rose Monday on Monday 28 February. Shrove Tuesday is then 29 February, a leap day that exists because 2028 is a leap year. Ash Wednesday follows on 1 March. These dates are rule-based, calculated from Easter, so they are dependable, but the precise timetable is set by the Rottweil Narrenzunft and will only be known once the guild publishes it.
Compared with 2027, when the parade fell on 8 and 9 February, the 2028 Fasnet comes about three weeks later in the year, which tends to mean slightly milder weather and a few more hours of daylight, though a Neckar valley winter day can still be cold.
Character and traditions
The Rottweil Fasnet is known for its costumes, the Narrenkleider, which are passed on and carefully maintained. Characters such as the Federahannes and the Biß are familiar to anyone who follows Swabian-Alemannic carnival, and the rhythmic ringing of the Gschell bells gives the parade its sound. The town presents itself as one of the oldest in Baden-Württemberg, with a Roman past, and the old town streets form a natural stage.
The guild sets the rules, and onlookers are asked to respect them. This is a custom that residents live, not a performance made for visitors, which is exactly what attracts many people to it.
What to see, do and eat
Arrive early to claim a place along the route, then use the breaks for a walk through the old town. The Kapellenturm, the main street, the Roman finds in the local museum and the public platform of the Test Tower on the edge of town are the usual stops. In clear weather the tower offers a wide view across the Swabian Jura and towards the Black Forest.
For lunch or an evening meal, Swabian dishes are the right choice: Linsen mit Spätzle and sausages, Saure Kutteln for the adventurous, and Fasnetsküchle for dessert. Local beer and Württemberg wine are on every menu.
Getting there and where to stay
Rottweil is reachable by the A81 between Stuttgart and Lake Constance, and the exit is close to the town. Use signposted parking outside the centre, because streets are closed on parade days. Rail passengers can use the Gäubahn between Stuttgart and Singen; because this line has been affected by diversions and works, look at up-to-date connections before you book.
Rooms in Rottweil are limited and sell out for Fasnet. Nearby towns such as Villingen-Schwenningen, Tuttlingen, Oberndorf or Schramberg offer alternatives, and an early booking matters more here than almost anywhere.
Public holidays and vacation days in 2028
Monday 28 February and Tuesday 29 February 2028 are normal working days in Baden-Württemberg, so attending both parade days costs two vacation days, attending one costs one, and the weekend of 26 and 27 February is free. The nearest public holidays are Epiphany on Thursday 6 January and Good Friday on 14 April, so there is no bridge day around the event. With Ash Wednesday on 1 March, a three-night stay from Sunday to Wednesday morning still needs only the same two days.
This edition suits anyone who prefers to see the Fasnet in slightly later, lighter conditions and who values authenticity over spectacle. Warm layers, sturdy shoes and a look at the guild's own programme before you set out are good advice.
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Written and maintained by Basaveswara Rao. Last reviewed on October 10, 2026.