Cologne Ghost Parade

Cologne's alternative, self-organised carnival parade – eerie and torch-lit, with no floats and a political motto.

The Ghost Parade (Geisterzug) is Cologne's alternative carnival procession: spontaneous, self-organised and a deliberate counterpoint to commercial carnival.

Source: Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-06-24

At a glance

When: Saturday before Weiberfastnacht
Since: 1991 (with 19th-century roots)
Character: no vehicles or electric music, lit by torches
Motto: changes yearly, often political
Admission: free

Join in

Anyone can join spontaneously as a ghost or dark figure, no registration needed. It is organised by the association Aehzebaer un Ko. The route changes every year through different districts.

Atmosphere

Costumed crowds move through the streets at night – eerie, loud and socially critical. Numbers vary widely from year to year.

Gallery

Kölner Geisterzug (Jeisterzoch) 2026 in Köln-Nippes — © Superbass · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons

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Cologne Ghost Parade

At a glance

Join in

Atmosphere

Gallery

Map

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