Carnival in Lower Saxony: Prince crowning and celebrations start now!

Carnival in Lower Saxony: Prince crowning and celebrations start now!

On November 11, 2025 at 11:11 a.m. it will be “Alaaf!” again. and “Hello!” in Lower Saxony, because the carnival season has begun. [ndr.de]. There is great curiosity about the prince's identity, as it remains secret until the crown is chosen. After the proclamation, the traditional figures Bauer and Till are placed at his side, while Mayor Thorsten Kornblum (SPD) ceremoniously presents the carnival participants with the city key, the city bag and the mouthpiece. A colorful parade of carnivalists leads to the Kohlmarkt, where the celebrations reach their climax.

But the festive atmosphere doesn't just extend to Braunschweig. The carnival session will also open in Damme, in the Vechta district, at 11:11 a.m. Here, the title “Dammer Ehrennarr” or “Dammer Ehrennarrin” is awarded to particularly deserving personalities in the region. It is interesting that Damme has been celebrating its parades a week before Rose Monday for more than 130 years.

Hanover shines with the noise of carnival

In the state capital of Hanover, the 2025/2026 carnival session will also be ushered in with great anticipation on November 15th. At 11:11 a.m. the city's princess will be crowned in the New Town Hall. From 12 p.m. the crowd celebrates on Human Rights Square, while the carnival parade attracts numerous spectators. Over 200 floats and around 4,500 participants ensure that the streets become a colorful scene on November 15th, attracting around 250,000 visitors. The parade in Hanover is known for its creative diversity: around 130 motif floats will delight the crowd.

A highlight of the carnival is the Schoduvel in Braunschweig, which takes place on February 15, 2026. Everyone who takes part in this parade can look forward to an impressive celebration that traces historical roots back to the Middle Ages. Carnival participants from Ukraine are also welcomed at the parade, which underlines the cultural diversity of this tradition.

Carnival – more than a celebration

It is clearly noticeable that the carnival in Lower Saxony is an important part of the regional identity. The celebrations not only provide an opportunity to dress up and have fun, but also to strengthen community spirit. The preparations are already in full swing and in every city the fools are looking forward to the beginning of the fifth season. You could say there is actually something in the air that makes people celebrate.

No matter whether you are in Braunschweig, Damme or Hanover – the fools will do everything again this year to make the fifth season unforgettable. Cheers to the diversity of Carnival, the tradition and the countless hours of training and planning that go into each event!