Carnival in Cologne: Police focus on security and ban on knives!
Carnival start in North Rhine-Westphalia on November 11th, 2025: Police secure celebrations in Cologne, Düsseldorf and Bonn and monitor knife bans.

Carnival in Cologne: Police focus on security and ban on knives!
They say that all good things come in threes, but today in Cologne, November 11th, 2025, the carnival virus unfolded in one fell swoop! The city is expecting tens of thousands of revelers who will dress up and fill the streets just in time for the start of the crazy season. The police and the public order office are on alert and have drawn up a comprehensive plan to ensure the safety of the participants.
Over 1,000 police officers will be on duty to ensure the celebrations run smoothly. The focus is particularly on the strict ban on knives: not only is the carrying of knives, but also of dummy weapons prohibited. Violations result in criminal charges and fines, which prompts security forces to carry out extensive checks.
Safety precautions and special protective measures
Around 450 employees of the public order office and 1,200 private security guards will move through the crowd. The area around the popular Zülpicher Straße party district will be cordoned off and access will be strictly regulated to avoid excessive crowds. In addition, the synagogue near the student district receives special protection. “There's something going on,” is the message in the heads of the security forces - after all, everyone wants to experience a peaceful celebration.
If you compare the situation in Düsseldorf, where the celebrations also traditionally begin, you can see that although there are more police officers on site than last year, the crowds are traditionally lower. Hoppeditz wakes up there at 11:11 a.m. to give a mocking speech in front of the town hall, which, however, won't spoil any of the carnival jesters' mood.
Celebrations in the Rhineland
Of course, the carnival fun doesn't just end in Cologne and Düsseldorf. Happy events and great costumes are also expected in Bonn and other cities in the Rhineland. The region is simply very popular at Carnival!
The preparations are more than necessary to guarantee the numerous party tourists an unforgettable experience - safe, peaceful and always full of joy. What once started as a local tradition has long since developed into a huge celebration throughout Germany and attracts visitors from far away. And we'll be there when the Jecken takes over the streets again!
For further information on the security measures and all the all-round services surrounding the celebrations, those interested can find out about the latest reports in the local media, such as n-tv, which report on the start of the carnival, and CNN also offers exciting insights into the background of public life and security precautions CNN. A look at other percentages and calculations for anyone who has a good knack for math can be found at Calculator.