Carnival 2025 - the best parties & events in the Ruhr region

🎭 Helau and Alaaf, Ruhrpott! From February 27, 2025, the carnival season will also be in full swing in the Ruhr region. So it's high time to start thinking about costumes and parties - because the best events in the Ruhr region will also be booked up quickly for Carnival 2025! 🥳

To make sure you don't miss anything, we have researched for you where you can celebrate in Dortmund, Essen, Bochum, Bottrop, Gelsenkirchen, Duisburg or Bottrop! Whether it's Weiberfastnacht, carnival funfairs or big Rose Monday parades - you'll find the perfect carnival event for you in the Ruhr region in 2025! 🎉

Carnival in Bochum

The carnival in Bochum is one of the biggest carnival celebrations in the Ruhr region. The "Bochumer Prinzenpaar" and the "Bochumer Karnevalsgesellschaft" in particular shape the colorful hustle and bustle, which attracts many carnivalists from the surrounding area every year. The traditional street carnival and the state meetings offer both time-honored tradition and modern carnival fun. One of the highlights is the big parade through the city center, accompanied by music, dancing and colourful costumes. 🎉🎭

Carnival in Bottrop

The carnival in Bottrop is a real Ruhr Valley experience that transforms the city into a sea of color and costumes every year. The Shrove Monday parade parades through the streets and features not only creative floats, but also a good dose of local color - with flashy costumes and the typical Ruhr Valley charm. Anyone who experiences carnival here will not only enjoy colorful parades, but also genuine Bottrop warmth and a great atmosphere. 🎉🎭

Carnival in Dortmund

The carnival in Dortmund is a real spectacle that bathes the whole city in bright colors every year. With the traditional Dortmund Rose Monday parade and over 30 carnival clubs, the parade is one of the largest in the Ruhr region, parading through the city center with lively musical processions and flashy costumes. Those who celebrate here experience carnival with a very special Dortmund touch - the real Ruhrpott charm! 🎉🎭

Carnival in Duisburg

Duisburg also has a long tradition of carnival. On Rose Monday, the big parade passes through the city center, where thousands of carnival revellers take over the streets with colorful floats and celebrating groups. Another highlight is the "Hoppedizt funeral", which takes place on Ash Wednesday. Here, the end of the carnival season is symbolically celebrated by burying the "Hoppedizt" - a figure that represents carnival. This ceremony marks the end of carnival in Duisburg and is celebrated once again by many. 🎉

Carnival in Essen

Carnival in Ruhrpott style is also celebrated in Essen! 🎭 From Altweiber parties to the Rose Monday parade through Rüttenscheid - the carnivalists are on the move here! Full pubs, parties and colorful costumes also characterize the cityscape in Essen during carnival. There's no fancy dress here, just real carnival: loud, hearty and with lots of confetti! 🎉🚀

Carnival in Gelsenkirchen

Carnival in Gelsenkirchen is an exuberant celebration that gets the whole city moving. The Rose Monday parade is the highlight of the carnival season with many participants parading through the streets. Colorful floats, imaginative costumes and lots of music create a great atmosphere. The Gelsenkirchen carnival sessions are also a must, with local clubs and the prince and princess providing real carnival fun. Gelsenkirchen therefore offers a real Ruhr Valley carnival experience! 🎉

Carnival in Recklinghausen

In Recklinghausen, carnival is celebrated in a very special way! The city lives the fifth season, with cool parties, creative costumes and lots of good humor. Anyone who celebrates here is in the middle of the Ruhr Valley carnival. 🎭🎉

Frequently asked questions about Carnival 2025 in the Ruhr region:

1. how does carnival in the Ruhr region in 2025 differ from carnival in Cologne?

Carnival has a long tradition in both regions, but the carnival in the Ruhr region in 2025 has its very own charm! While carnival in Cologne is mainly characterized by the huge Rose Monday parade and the world-famous street parties, the Ruhr region focuses on diversity. Each city has its own traditions - in Duisburg, for example, the colorful Rose Monday parade with thousands of participants, in Bochum the traditional carnival sessions and in Gelsenkirchen the popular pub celebrations. The "Hoppeditz funeral" in Duisburg and the exuberant parties in the Ruhr towns also make carnival here so unique. In short: carnival is celebrated just as passionately in the Ruhr region, but the festivities are often a little more down-to-earth and with even more regional diversity. 🎉

2. is there a costume requirement for carnival in the Ruhr region in 2025?

Yes and no, you can come to most parties and parades in the Ruhr area without a costume, but trust us - you'll feel weird if everyone around you is dressed up and you're not. After all, the costumes are simply part of the tradition and carnival thrives on people's creativity. So why not just join in and celebrate carnival properly?

3. which carnival parades will there be in the Ruhr area in 2025?

You'll be spoiled for choice in the Ruhr region in 2025! The big carnival parades in cities like Dortmund or Duisburg are real highlights with their elaborate floats and crowds of people. But the smaller parades in the smaller towns or districts also have their charm: it's often more personal here, you're closer to the action and can catch a lot more camels! The fact is: whether big or small, the main thing is carnival! 🎉

Are you not only looking for great carnival events in the Ruhr region, but also for other events such as concerts, comedy or theater? Then download our Rausgegangen app now! 👇