Düsseldorf Helau! Carnival Season Has Started

Düsseldorf's carnival traditionally kicks off on 11 November at 11:11 with the awakening of arch jester Hoppeditz. Motto of the 2014/2015 season: "Traumhaft jeck!" (Perfectly mad!). Hundreds of carnival-related events, costume balls, sessions and more have since fuelled the party vibe. Non-local revellers keen to join in the fun and festivities of the street carnival (12 – 18 February 2015) without hassle can take advantage of the "Carnival in Düsseldorf" hotel package. The deal is available from Düsseldorf Marketing & Tourismus GmbH (DMT) from as little as EUR 54 per person.

Düsseldorf is a stronghold of Rhenish Carnival. Since the awakening of Hoppeditz on 11 November at 11:11 on the dot, there is no holding back the carnival revellers in the city, who are brimming over with the proverbial Rhenish joie de vivre. Düsseldorf's very own arch jester, Hoppeditz, is awakened on that day every year to hold a speech that opens the new carnival season. This is followed by Düsseldorf laughing, dancing and kissing the days away until Ash Wednesday on 18 February 2015. The motto of the 2014/2015 carnival season, "Traumhaft jeck!", which roughly translates as "perfectly mad!", fires the imagination of carnival revellers in many different ways. More than 300 carnival sessions, costume balls, jubilees, receptions and jamborees are on the party agenda between November and February.

Düsseldorf street carnival

The street carnival starts on 'Altweiberfastnacht' (12 February) when women dressed as 'Möhnen', or "crones", take over the City Hall to cut off men's ties with scissors. Carnival Sunday is family day where everyone gathers for a party on the Kö – many seen pulling a handcart. 'Rosenmontag' (Rose Monday, 16 February) is one of the highlights of Rhenish Carnival attracting some one million visitors to Düsseldorf every year. Around 60 fancy floats decorated by cartwright Jacques Tilly are joined by dozens of marching bands and people on foot to parade in a giant procession over several kilometres through the city centre. Carnival ends on Ash Wednesday, when Hoppeditz finds himself at the stake. At least until starts all over again on the following 11 November.

Carnival is the best time to enjoy a good, long party and to experience pure Düsseldorf tradition. DMT offers non-locals a stress-free time of celebrations with the "Carnival in Düsseldorf" package, which simultaneously provides an easy way to get to know the city on the banks of the Rhine. The hotel package can be booked for as little as 54 euros per person. It includes one overnight stay in a double room including breakfast, a breakfast board with carnival motif to take home, a Düsseldorf info pack, and the DüsseldorfCard, which grants free travel on all public transport in the city along with a variety of concessions and discounts on admission to leisure and cultural facilities.

For detailed information on the offer and for booking go to www.duesseldorf-tourismus.de/en/our-top-events/carnival/hotel-package-carnival-in-duesseldorf or phone +49 (0)211 17 202-851.

The highlights of Düsseldorf's street carnival at a glance:

• Altweiberfastnacht

(12 February 2015, 11:11, Düsseldorf Altstadt [Old Town])

Ladies take over the City Hall

• Jugendumzug ("Youth Procession")

(14 February 2015, Düsseldorf city centre)

Young and old carnival revellers ("Jecken") join to march through Düsseldorf's city centre.

• Carnival Sunday

(15 February 2015, from the morning, Königsallee)

Street carnival on Königsallee

• Tonnenrennen ("Barrel Race")

(15 February 2015, 15:00, Niederkassel)

Traditional event in Niederkassel

• Rosenmontagszug (Rose Monday Parade)

(16 February 2015, 12:30, Düsseldorf city centre)

A giant procession parades through the whole city centre.

Further information on Düsseldorf's carnival at www.duesseldorf-tourismus.de/en/our-top-events/carnival.

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