As of: February 9, 2024, 11:25 a.m
By: Johanna Werning, Constanze Julita, Mick Oberbusch
Cologne celebrated the start of the 2024 street carnival. Due to the rainy weather, the expected crowds did not materialize.
The result: Hardly any deployments for the police.
The street carnival opened at 11:11 a.m. on Weiberfastnacht.
Overall, Cologne remained significantly emptier compared to previous years, report the city, police and 24RHEIN reporters on site.
“We have not had any major operations,” the police say.
24RHEIN reported live here in the ticker.
Update from January 9th, 10:15 a.m.:
The start of the 2024 street carnival has been completed.
However, due to the constant rain, it was significantly emptier on Weiberfastnacht in the Cologne Carnival in 2024 than in previous years.
Zülpicher Straße on Weiberfastnacht 2023 (left, photo taken around 10:15 a.m.) and on Weiberfastnacht 2024 (right, photo taken around 10:30 a.m.) (IDZRNRW montage) © 24RHEIN & 24RHEIN
On Weiberfastnacht 2023, Zülpicher Straße was already full of people in the morning, and at around 11 a.m. all entrances were closed due to overcrowding.
This year, Zülpicher Straße was at times only partially occupied.
It was also evident at the university meadow and the green belt that there were significantly fewer jeckes this year.
Last year there were enormous crowds here too.
This year there were only a few groups celebrating the start of the street carnival here.
A possible reason for this: the weather.
The DWD warned of constant rain - and due to the wetness, it quickly became quite cold for the carnival fans.
Some Jecke simply added a raincoat and umbrella to their costume.
However, this only provided limited protection.
The rain puddles collected on Zülpicher Straße and the protective mats in the university meadow became a slide for many revelers.
Cologne Carnival: Rain spoils Jecken party – police hardly called upon
Update from January 9th, 8:15 a.m.:
The constant rain has cleared from Cologne and Weiberfastnacht 2024 is also over.
The morning after the start of the street carnival, the police drew a provisionally positive conclusion.
“We haven’t had any major operations.
Smaller skirmishes that also occur at the weekend, but overall very calm,” a police spokesman told the German press agency
dpa
.
Many celebrated indoors because of the bad weather.
“I didn’t see anything outstanding during the operations,” a police spokesman told 24RHEIN with satisfaction.
According to the police, there was an argument between revelers at the Cologne Rings on Thursday afternoon.
A 25-year-old fell to the ground and was seriously injured when he was kicked in the head.
Two suspects fled.
According to police, the investigation is still ongoing.
Carnival Cologne 2024: Police speak of few operations on women's carnival
Update from February 8th, 9:32 p.m.:
Lots of rain, fewer operations - this is how the police's preliminary results can be summarized.
“So far everything has been more or less peaceful,” a police spokesman told 24RHEIN in the evening.
“But there are still a lot of people out and about in the city.
Now we have to see how the situation develops.”
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Due to the rainy weather, the expected mass rush to the Zülpicher district on Weiberfastnacht did not materialize.
This means that there were comparatively few operations for the police.
Whether it stays that way remains to be seen at night.
“So as far as I’m concerned, everything can stay as it is right now,” said the police spokesman.
Police file more than 20 criminal charges on Women's Carnival in Cologne
Update from February 8th, 8:19 p.m.:
The city of Cologne started the street carnival on Weiberfastnacht with rainy weather.
Due to the weather, the expected crowds did not materialize.
There were significantly fewer revelers in the city and in the Zülpicher district than on November 11th or Weiberfastnacht last year.
Rain on Women's Carnival caused the rush of visitors in Cologne to collapse.
© Thomas Banneyer/dpa
“There were comparatively fewer Jeckes at all hotspots,” say the police.
Nevertheless, there were some incidents.
As the police report, a 16-year-old was sent off on Zülpicher Strasse around 11 a.m.
He had a flashlight with a Taser on him - a violation of weapons law.
There was also an accident involving two carnival floats near Breslauer Platz around 3:30 p.m.
As the police report, the floats were probably traveling from Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer towards Johannisstrasse when a gray Ford suddenly drove between the floats on Goldgasse from “Am Alten Ufer” street.
This meant they had to slam on the brakes.
Four of the 20 or so carnival participants fell.
Three had to be treated in hospital.
The driver escaped undetected.
Police take initial stock of the operations on Women's Carnival in Cologne
Around 5 p.m., several revelers argued on the Hohenzollernring.
According to police information, a 25-year-old man fell to the ground and was seriously injured when he was kicked in the head.
Two suspects fled the scene undetected.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
In the evening, the police take stock of the day's operations so far:
10 people were taken into police custody
21 criminal charges were filed: 18 for bodily harm, one for robbery, one for resistance and one for violating the Narcotics Act
Four sexual offenses in which women were groped, one for exhibitionistic acts
According to the police, women’s carnival in Cologne was “completely uneventful”
Update from February 8th, 6:42 p.m.:
Despite bad weather, tens of thousands of people were again drawn to Cologne on Weiberfastnacht - but overall fewer than expected.
As police chief Johannes Hermanns told the German Press Agency, from the police's point of view it remained "completely uneventful" until the afternoon.
“The rain probably contributed to that.” Accordingly, there are not as many people in the city as on November 11th or last year on Weiberfastnacht.
Cologne's mayor Henriette Reker also commented on the lack of mass rush in the cathedral city on Women's Carnival.
“Those who just want to drink just stayed at home.” As the German Press Agency reported, she “didn’t sound unhappy.”
Lower rush than expected – the city of Cologne takes stock of the carnival
Update from February 8th, 4:58 p.m.:
The city of Cologne has drawn up a preliminary assessment of operations for Women's Carnival - and confirmed the lower rush observed.
This is shown above all by the number of celebrants who had to be cared for in the emergency care center: there were eleven people throughout the day.
“30 helpless drunk people were handed over to the medical services in the Zülpicher district, and three in the old town,” it continues.
The public order office checked the entrances to the Zülpicher district as well as compliance with the glass ban and placed a particular focus on child protection checks.
“In addition, the employees of the public order office checked the documents of all security personnel.
“54 people were rejected for various reasons, for example because documents were not available or incomplete,” explains the city.
Carnival Cologne 2024 live: New party drug in circulation – clubs comparatively empty
Update from February 8th, 4:33 p.m.:
Despite rain this Thursday, the clubs around the rings are not yet as full as you would expect.
There are occasional queues, but not to the extent that one is used to at the start of the street carnival.
“The streets are empty, there is a little more going on in the clubs, but overall it is very clear here,” says a bouncer on Schaafenstrasse.
It's also very clear on the rings - the bad weather seems to have driven away a lot of peeves.
Young people celebrate carnival with laughing gas – police can only “appeal to reason”
Update from February 8th, 4:01 p.m.:
In addition to the “tried and tested” alcohol, one drug in particular seems to be extremely popular with young people at the moment: laughing gas.
24RHEIN reporters observed an increased number of young people using the party drug compared to previous years, which they usually consume through a balloon.
“However, consumption is not a criminal offense, laughing gas does not fall under the narcotics law and is freely available for sale,” a police spokeswoman explains to 24RHEIN.
One can only “appeal to the common sense of the celebrants to be careful,” the spokeswoman continued.
Carnival Cologne live: riot in the rain - mood becomes more aggressive
Update from February 8th, 3:48 p.m.:
It has now become a little more crowded on Zülpicher Strasse, and younger partiers in particular are increasingly drawn to the hotspot again, report local reporters.
The majority of these “newcomers” are already heavily intoxicated and the general mood is becoming a little more aggressive.
In addition, reporters report that it is still completely littered everywhere.
The university meadow is also filling up a little more, but still without a lot of sound - the speakers there are only switched on when access to Zülpicher Straße is closed.
However, this is not yet the case.
On Zülpicher Straße the general mood becomes more aggressive as the day progresses (symbolic image).
© Christoph Hardt/Imago
Departure traffic at the train stations is starting - capacity utilization on Zülpicher Straße is around 40 percent
Update from February 8th, 3:07 p.m.:
While an almost ghostly scene continues to unfold on the university meadow, departure traffic is already starting at the West and South train stations.
A spokeswoman for the city of Cologne explained this when asked by 24RHEIN.
In addition, according to current information, the occupancy rate on Zülpicher Straße would have been just around 40 percent - an astonishingly low value.
Uniwiese and Zülpicher Straße surprisingly empty - rush for Cologne Carnival 2024 rather low
This carnivalist would certainly have wished for better weather - just like the (manageable) crowd on the university meadows (IDZRNRW assembly).
© Oliver Berg/dpa & 24RHEIN
Update from February 8th, 1:56 p.m.:
Reporters on site report that Zülpicher Straße and the Rings are surprisingly empty compared to previous years.
The bars are also not as full as you would expect in such weather.
The university meadow is also only populated by individual groups, and there isn't really a party atmosphere.
Brawls and firecrackers: First incidents in the Cologne carnival in the city center
Update from February 8th, 1:30 p.m.:
Even though the situation on Zülpicher Straße is still largely relaxed compared to previous years, there were already the first incidents in the morning.
Pictures show that Jecke set off firecrackers on Zülpicher Straße in the morning, and revelers also report smaller fights.
According to the police, everything is still largely calm and under control.
The Jecken also set off firecrackers on Zülpicher Strasse in the morning.
© Thomas Banneyer/dpa
Carnival in Cologne: First conclusion from the city – “Security measures work”
Update from February 8th, 1:09 p.m.:
City Director Andrea Blome has commented positively on how the day has gone so far.
“We're very happy so far, but the rain means there's perhaps a little less going on.
Nevertheless, it shows that the security measures work,” said the city director in an interview with 24RHEIN.
Basically, there is “a little less going on” on Weiberfastnacht than on November 11th.
– that's why Blome suspects that in many places the celebration will at least not last until the early hours of the morning.
“When it gets dark, it’s unpleasant,” the city manager continued.
Despite the rainy weather, the day is less unpleasant for the Cologne band “Kempes Feinest”.
Singer Nici Kempermann explains to 24RHEIN that the band has already had three performances - seven more will follow, some of which have been reconsidered.
“There may be a little less going on at the events outside, but the people who are there are really up for it – that’s the Cologne feeling,” she says.
Nevertheless, despite all her motivation, she is happy when she is home later - and falls into bed dead tired.
1000 instead of 20,000 – yawning emptiness on the “Open Ring” stage
Update from February 8th, 12:51 p.m.:
Many party hotspots are probably significantly emptier because of the rain than last year, for example.
The big carnival party on the rings, actually intended as a new party hotspot, has so far hardly attracted anyone.
A total of 20,000 celebrants were expected.
According to 24RHEIN information, only around 1,000 have passed through there so far.
This is also evident in front of the stages.
At a midday concert by “Kempes Feinest” on the Rings, there are hardly more than 20 to 30 spectators present.
Rain capes and umbrellas dominate the picture.
“Either people come later or they have decided to celebrate at home, which is a nice concept,” said Christoph Kuckelkorn, President of the Cologne Carnival Festival Committee, to the
dpa
this morning .
Because of the rain, concerts on the rings sometimes take place in front of very few spectators.
© 24RHEIN
Cologne Carnival causes rubbish on Zülpicher Straße
Update from February 8th, 12:21 p.m.:
As time goes on and alcohol consumption increases, the amount of garbage on Zülpicher Straße also increases.
This is what reporters on site report, and the rush cannot even begin to be compared to that of previous years.
The figures from the Cologne Tanzbrunnen also show this: 12,000 tickets were sold in advance, but so far it is estimated that there are only around 3,000 Jecke on site.
It is still comparatively “airy” on Zülpicher Straße – but the garbage is increasing.
© 24RHEIN
Restaurateur on Weiberfastnacht 2024 – less busy at Carnival “thanks” to the weather
Update from February 8th, 12:05 p.m.:
How do restaurateurs in the populated “Kwartier Latäng” actually experience Weiberfastnacht 2024?
Markus Vogt, boss of “Kwartier” and “Soylent Green”, is noticing a smaller rush than in previous years.
“This is probably due to the weather, it is very cold and rainy.
But it’s still very early, it’s only 12 o’clock,” he says.
Would this mean more people would make a pilgrimage to the pub?
“Here on the Zülpicher, the clientele traditionally has perhaps a little less money, the young people shy away from the entrance fee and even a beer, which costs more here than in a supermarket.
Umbrellas were pulled out everywhere on Zülpicher Strasse.
© Thomas Banneyer/dpa
Cologne police are relaxed about the women’s carnival – “if you want to go to Zülpicher, you have to hurry up”
Update from February 8th, 11:46 a.m.:
The Cologne police are still relaxed about what is happening around the Zülpich district.
The authorities did not provide precise information about how many people were already in the “Kwartier Latäng” – but: “It is already pretty full, so if you still want to go, you have to hurry up,” said a spokesman.
In addition, a few minutes ago a federal police helicopter was on the way to check the situation at the train stations.
Here too, everything is still quiet so far.
“We are on site and showing our presence,” said the spokesman.
However, there have not yet been any major incidents or even administrative offenses to complain about.
Cologne Carnival 2023 started – “Kwartier Latäng” was already well attended before 11 a.m
Update from February 8th, 11:33 a.m.:
On Zülpicher Straße, the rain is having a bit of a negative impact on the mood of those celebrating - according to Christoph Kuckelkorn, president of the festival committee, it is significantly emptier than in previous years.
“Either people come later or they have decided to celebrate at home, which is a nice concept,” he told the German press agency dpa.
In the “Kwartier Latäng”, the Cologne student district around the party hotspot Zülpicher Straße, there was already a crowd even before the official start at 11:11 a.m.
This district primarily attracts young revelers.
Cologne Mayor Henriette Reker (independent) told the dpa that the Cologne Carnival is always a celebration of diversity, which is also sung about in many songs.
“I would like it to be lived like this throughout the year that lies ahead.”
Kölle Alaaf punctually at 11:11 a.m. – confetti is flying on Zülpicher Straße
Update from February 8th, 11:11 a.m.:
Kölle Alaaf!
At exactly 11:11 a.m. the starting signal for this year's street carnival was given. On the Alter Markt there is swaying in front of the big stage, on Zülpicher Straße confetti is flying - this can even be seen between the several open umbrellas.
On Zülpicher Straße, the Jecken brave the weather with umbrellas.
© 24RHEIN
Mayor satisfied with carnival rush – people “come later and stay longer”
Update from February 8th, 10:41 a.m.:
District mayor Andreas Hupke is so far satisfied with the start of the street carnival in the Zülpich district.
“It still looks a bit sparse, but there are already more there than expected.
On Weiberfastnacht people traditionally come later than on November 11th, but stay longer,” he says in an interview with 24RHEIN.
“The massive security precautions that have been taken make me very optimistic.
The concept is of a dimension that I have never seen before,” he says about the barriers around the green belt.
“You really have to say that, despite all the criticism,” said the district mayor.
“This is a new dimension, there are a number of law enforcement officers, police, security and the like on site,” he says.
The bad weather wouldn't dampen the mood: “I celebrated on the street here in 1974 when I was 24, and we weren't interested in the rain either.
If you take that into account, you'll be sick for a few days, but then you'll be fit again," says Hupke, who concludes by formulating his hope for today: "It's all great.
But I have a good feeling about that.”
Carnival 2024 - Jecke brave the rain on Women's Carnival in Cologne
Update from February 8th, 10:11 a.m.:
As far as the rain is concerned, carnivalists have come up with creative ideas to defy the precipitation this Thursday.
Whether at Cologne Cathedral, on Zülpicher Straße or in other corners of the city: staying dry is the top motto for many Jecke today.
A carnival woman braves the rainy weather on women's carnival with an umbrella on her head.
© Oliver Berg/dpa
Zülpicher Straße fills up on Weiberfastnacht 2024 in Cologne
Update from February 8th, 10:01 a.m.:
As reporters on site report, Zülpicher Straße is gradually filling up - despite the bad (rain) weather.
As the alcohol increases, the mood sets in and the music from all corners becomes louder.
Meanwhile, it is still comparatively empty on the university meadows - it is likely to fill up there, especially when Zülpicher Straße is overloaded, as was the case on November 11th, 2023.
However, this is not yet the case.
Train with urgent warning about the Cologne Carnival 2024
Update from February 8th, 9:46 a.m.:
Deutsche Bahn is also concerned with the colorful carnival hustle and bustle in Cologne and warns of an increased number of travelers.
“Due to Weiberfastnacht, there may be an exceptionally high number of passengers today, there may be long delays and possibly partial cancellations,” explains the company.
Particularly important: “For your safety and ours, please keep enough distance from the edge of the platform and only step onto it when the train has stopped,” it continues.
People celebrate the street carnival in Cologne in bright colors.
© Rolf Vennenbernd/dpa
In addition, overcrowded trains should be avoided and subsequent trains should be used instead to reach the destination.
All regional trains, regional express lines and S-Bahn trains that are traveling in the Cologne city area this Thursday (February 8th) are affected.
Cologne is celebrating Weiberfastnacht 2024 – there is still space on Zülpicher Straße
Update from February 8th, 9:36 a.m.:
Reporters on site describe Zülpicher Strasse as still comparatively empty - while on November 11th, 2023, a number of revelers were already squeezing themselves tightly together around 8 a.m., there is still a lot of air on the popular party mile .
From Zülpicher Platz, the celebrants are currently standing all the way to the “Oma Kleinmann” restaurant; the path to the university meadow and the area are still largely clear.
Music boxes are blaring from every corner - even though the city had previously appealed to people to leave them at home.
A sobering-up camp is available in Cologne during Carnival 2024
Update from February 8th, 9:07 a.m.:
Anyone who has ever celebrated Carnival in the city center knows that a lot of alcohol is consumed there - and that one or two people like to drink to their thirst.
That's why the Cologne fire department has set up an emergency care center at the Humboldtstrasse vocational college - where revelers who have looked too deeply into the glass but are not ready for hospital can sober up.
Above all, to relieve the burden on hospitals and emergency rooms in the city, says Ulrich Laschet, spokesman for the Cologne fire department, in an interview with 24RHEIN.
„Wir haben hier aufgebaut 50 Plätze, 50 Patienten können also parallel versorgt werden. Wir gehen von einer jeweiligen Aufenthaltsdauer von drei bis vier Stunden aus Wir reden hier nur von Leuten, die übermäßig Alkohol getrunken haben und keiner intensiven Betreuung bedürfen. Ein bisschen ausschlafen, etwas gut zureden, eine Tasse Kaffe oder ein Glas Wasser – und dann schauen wir, ob es den Patienten gut genug geht, dass wir sie nach Hause schicken können.“ Man sei auf eine große Anzahl Patienten vorbereitet, das Versorgungszentrum soll mindestens bis Mitternacht geöffnet sein.
Karneval Köln – erste Feiernde auf der Zülpicher Straße
Update vom 8. Februar, 8:51 Uhr: Wer geglaubt hat, der vom Deutschen Wetterdienst (DWD) angesagte Dauerregen würde die Feiernden davon abhalten, Richtung Innenstadt und Zülpicher Straße zu strömen, hat sich getäuscht. Etliche Feiernde bevölkern schon jetzt den Bahnhof Süd, der am 11.11.2023 schon am Vormittag nicht mehr angefahren wurde, um Feiernde vom Hotspot abzuhalten. Aktuell ist es auf der Zülpicher selbst noch übersichtlich – was sich in den nächsten Minuten und Stunden jedoch erheblich verändern dürfte.
Erste Feiernde strömen an Weiberfastnacht 2024 Richtung Kölner Innenstadt
Update vom 8. Februar, 8:28 Uhr: Bereits um kurz nach 8 Uhr ist am Rudolfplatz schon einiges los. Am Rewe kaufen Feiernde Kölsch und Brötchen als Grundlage. Und auch am Hansaring füllen sich die Straßen. Junge Menschen trinken Alkohol und hören dabei Karnevals-Musik. Der Regen scheint hier niemanden vom Feiern abzuhalten.
Köln feiert Karneval: Kostümierte Jecken suchen Unterschlupf vor Regen
Update vom 8. Februar, 8:02 Uhr: Trotz Dauerregen sind bereits die ersten verkleideten Menschen unterwegs zum Barbarossaplatz. Sowohl Bahnen der KVB-Linie 16 als auch in der KVB-Linie 1 füllen sich Richtung Innenstadt. Ob Schneekönigin, Zebra, Flamingo oder Sonnenblume: Die Jecken hält das schlechte Wetter nicht auf und sind ausgestattet mit Regenponchos. Einige suchen Unterschlupf an überdachten Haltestellen und vor Geschäften – da, wo es Schutz vor Regen gibt.
Kölner Karneval 2024: Weiberfastnacht startet – Straßensperrungen aktiv
Update vom 8. Februar, 6:37 Uhr: Auf diesen Tag haben viele Jecken in Köln wochenlang hingefiebert. Heute an Weiberfastnacht startet der Straßenkarneval und vor allem in der Kölner Innenstadt werden sich Zigtausende Menschen zum Feiern zusammenfinden. Während die ersten Sperrungen bereits am Mittwoch vorbereitet wurden, gelten die großen Sperrungen wie am Zülpicher Platz und der Hohenstaufenring ab Donnerstagmorgen, 6 Uhr.
Erste Sperrungen für Weiberfastnacht 2024 in der Innenstadt aktiv
Update from February 7th, 9:32 p.m.:
Sleep again, then it's women's carnival.
That's probably what's going through some geeks' minds on Wednesday evening.
But while carnival fans are already mentally preparing for exuberant celebrations at the start of the street carnival, meticulous preparations are still underway in the background.
Very important in Cologne: barriers at the biggest celebration hotspots.
Cologne Carnival: This is how women's carnival is celebrated - all the news in the ticker
First report from February 7th, 5:04 p.m.:
Cologne - On women's carnival it is called “Kölle Alaaf” throughout Cologne.
The celebrations take place on the street, in the pub and in the club.
24RHEIN is out and about in Cologne on Weiberfastnacht and reports live from the hustle and bustle of the Cologne Carnival.
The question that is currently on many minds: What will the weather be like at Carnival?
After all, the DWD warns of constant rain for Weiberfastnacht.
Carnival in Cologne – where people celebrate
As a rule, Zülpicher Straße is already full in the morning and is closed.
Thousands of people will celebrate there around Zülpicher Straße.
What influence the weather forecast will have remains to be seen.
Another Cologne party hotspot that day: Südstadt.
It is particularly popular with Cologne residents.
Within just a few songs you can find yourself lying in each other's arms, swaying to “Tommi” or belting out “Et Jitt Kei Wood”.
There are numerous pubs in Cologne where not only Cologne residents like to celebrate Carnival.
Weiberfastnacht in Cologne: Is the Cologne Carnival paralyzing the KVB again?
This will also be a big day for the KVB.
The timetable was adjusted in advance.
There are massive restrictions on light rail, buses and stops.
Individual lines are completely discontinued.
And the AWB is also on a large scale on Women’s Carnival.
(jw with dpa)