As of: February 8, 2024, 10:15 a.m
By: Johanna Werning
On Women's Carnival, the Jecken flock to Cologne again.
But where does the party take place, what rules apply and how does the KVB operate?
The overview.
Cologne – Finally it's that time again: On February 8th, the whole of Cologne will be upside down.
After all, the opening of the street carnival is traditionally celebrated on Weiberfastnacht and not only Cologne residents celebrate, but also people from outside come to the cathedral city to celebrate the Cologne carnival.
The overview for Weiberfastnacht in the Cologne Carnival 2024.
This is how Weiberfastnacht is celebrated in Cologne: What carnival fans need to know
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Date:
This year, Weiberfastnacht falls on February 8, 2024 (Thursday).
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Party hotspots:
Carnival is celebrated all over Cologne, whether in the pub, the club or on the street.
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Security concept:
A strict security concept also applies this year - especially around Zülpicher Straße.
In addition, there will probably be a glass ban in parts of Cologne again this year.
► 24RHEIN has an overview of what the weather will be like at Carnival in Cologne.
► By the way: 24RHEIN reports live on Weiberfastnacht in the ticker how the carnival is celebrated in Cologne.
Cologne Carnival 2024: Women's Carnival is celebrated here in Cologne
Already on Thursday morning the streets in Cologne are filling up for Weiberfastnacht 2024. © Rolf Vennenbernd/dpa
The most important thing in advance: The whole of Cologne becomes a carnival zone, on pretty much every street and square as well as in every bar the motto is “Kölle Alaaf” on Weiberfastnacht.
At least then the street carnival starts.
However, there are also carnival hotspots in Cologne:
The Südstadt:
The Südstadt is particularly popular with Cologne residents.
Most of the partying takes place here in the numerous bars around Chlodwigplatz.
The Alter Markt:
The most traditional carnival event takes place on the Alter Markt.
There the old town residents celebrate the official opening of the street carnival - including a colorful stage program.
The Belgian Quarter:
In the Belgian Quarter it is mainly the geeks who love Cologne's bars, pubs and clubs that celebrate.
There are numerous celebration options around Aachener Straße.
Zülpicher Straße and the rings:
Zülpicher Straße is probably the largest party zone in Cologne, which is even specially cordoned off.
Here people party and drink on the open streets and on the university meadows.
But that is exactly why there is a lot of criticism.
That's why there will be an additional major event at the Cologne Rings this year.
Weiberfastnacht 2024 in Cologne: Südstadt as a popular destination for the pub carnival
A whole series of pubs and bars in the southern part of the city will open their doors on February 8, 2024 to welcome carnival participants.
In addition to Kölsch, the appropriate carnival music from the Höhner, the Paveier or Cat Balou is also a must.
At Carnival it is common for the bars to charge an entrance fee.
But be careful: some bars only allow guests in who have bought a ticket in advance.
So if you want to go to a specific pub, you should find out about the admission regulations in advance.
24RHEIN has an overview of all events in the Cologne Carnival 2024
Cologne Carnival 2024: Big street carnival opening on the Alter Markt
The Alter Markt shines again in green and red on Weiberfastnacht.
Because then the carnival society “Altstädter Köln” celebrates the traditional opening of the street carnival in the Cologne carnival. “Experience live the big spectacle in the heart of Cologne, the opening of the street carnival on the Alter Markt with the mayor and the Cologne triumvirate,” it says Carnival society.
In addition, several carnival bands and carnival stars will perform on the stage in Cologne's old town.
There is also a big party on the Rings this year on Women's Carnival.
The Belgian quarter becomes a party hotspot with pubs and clubs on women's carnival
Similar to the Südstadt, the Belgian Quarter has recently developed into a hotspot for the pub carnival - especially among the younger geeks.
Among other things, there are carnival parties in “Herr Pimock”, “Grünfeld” or “Gottes Grüne Wiesen”.
For many carnival fans, Brussels Square is the first port of call.
Weiberfastnacht 2024: Tens of thousands celebrate on Zülpicher Straße
The celebrations are even bigger than in the Belgian Quarter, especially around Zülpicher Straße.
Tens of thousands of Jecken celebrate on Zülpicher Straße.
There are now so many that there is a so-called relief area on the grassland in the green belt, where music is occasionally played and drinks are sold.
A strict security concept applies around Zülpicher Straße during Carnival.
You can only get into the Veedel via the entrances on Bachemer Straße, Kerpener Straße, Luxemburger Straße, Otto-Fischer Straße and Roonstraße - but only as long as there is still space.
The Cologne synagogue is also particularly protected.
Rings instead of Zülpicher Straße?
These are the plans to prevent carnival chaos
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The problem:
There are now so many people celebrating that on November 11th.
and on women's carnival the district and the university meadows virtually sink into carnival chaos - despite a large contingent of police and public order offices.
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Should be celebrated this year:
This year too there will be a so-called relief area on the university meadows - to the chagrin of some residents and the BUND.
This is what Radio Cologne
reports
.
The main committee approved the city administration's proposal.
The Nature Conservation Advisory Board's objection did not find a majority, it is said.
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New plans to prevent chaos:
Although the city has invested millions in a security concept, there has been no real improvement so far.
That's why there should now be a new party hotspot - to relieve the burden.
“The carnival company 'Die Grosse von 1823' is specifically planning an open area on the Hohenstaufenring between Schaafenstrasse and Schaevenstrasse that is freely accessible to everyone and therefore free of charge,” the city of Cologne announced shortly before Christmas.
Cologne Carnival 2024: Glass ban probably also on women's carnival
This year there will be a ban on glass again in parts of Cologne.
These measures have been in place for several years.
For safety reasons, “the carrying, use and sale of glass and glass bottles in the area of the old town and in the Zülpicher district is prohibited at Carnival,” the city explains again and again.
In addition, there is a so-called glass-free zone in the Severinsviertel in the southern part of the city.
This is a voluntary glass ban.
Weiberfastnacht 2024 in Cologne: Road closures and KVB impairments
One thing is clear: on Women's Carnival there is a state of emergency in Cologne.
That's why there are numerous road closures and KVB disruptions in Cologne that day.
Many bus and train lines are running with severe restrictions or have route changes.
There are likely to be numerous changes again this year, but these have not yet been officially announced.
A fine of up to 10,000 euros: Some costumes are banned at Carnival in Cologne
What carnival fans also need to know is that certain costumes are prohibited.
There may even be fines of up to 10,000 euros or prison sentences of up to 3 years.
A conviction is “not at all unlikely,” explains lawyer Christian Solmecke to 24RHEIN.
Weiberfastnacht 2024 on TV: The carnival program at a glance
Anyone who loves carnival but prefers to follow the hustle and bustle from their sofa will also get their money's worth on Weiberfastnacht.
24RHEIN has an overview of the TV program for Weiberfastnacht.
During the night, Jecke can get into the mood at the “Long Brauhaus Night” with numerous surprise guests and Cologne music.
At 8 a.m. the best of the 2024 session opening (November 11, 2023) will be shown at Heumarkt in Cologne.
It continues at 11 a.m. with “Weiber live 2024” – this will broadcast live through the Rhineland and show how the Jecken celebrate Carnival.
By the way: 24RHEIN has an overview of what those who don't like carnival can do instead of celebrating for whoever is planning to miss Carnival this year.
(jw)