Cologne Jecken celebrate the start of the 2025 session with colorful costumes!

Cologne Jecken celebrate the start of the 2025 session with colorful costumes!

On November 11th, 2025 it was that time again: the new carnival session began in Cologne and with a colorful spectacle. From 11:11 a.m., colorfully dressed Jeckes flocked to the Heumarkt in droves to celebrate the official starting signal for the foolish time. The motto this year was: “Alaaf – Mer dun et för Kölle”. At the head of the triumvirate were Prince Niklas I, Farmer Clemens and Maiden Aenne, all of whom were provided by the Prinzen-Garde Köln 1906 e.V. Cologne City Gazette reports that the joy and enthusiasm among the celebrants is unbroken.

The Jecken set off to conquer the city center in the early hours of the morning. The variety of costumes was stunning: whether clowns, unicorns or superheroes – there was something for everyone. The celebration then continued in the Kaschämm, Cologne's traditional pubs. Colorful lights and cheerful songs dominated the cityscape and photographers captured this madness in numerous pictures.

The anticipation of upcoming events

Carnival fans can look forward to a number of events this year too. Particular highlights are the costume sessions and pageantry sessions that take place in the Maritim Hotel and Gürzenich. The first costume session on January 10, 2026 is already sold out, and other events are also captivating the fools. For example, the men's session on January 11th and the women's session on January 13th are extremely popular. The prices for these events are EUR 62.00, including a limited snack for EUR 33.00.

• 1. Kostümsitzung: 10.01.2026 im Maritim Hotel, Beginn: 19:00 Uhr.
• Herrensitzung: 11.01.2026 im Maritim Hotel, Beginn: 12:00 Uhr.
• Damensitzung: 13.01.2026 im Gürzenich, Beginn: 17:45 Uhr.
• 2. Kostümsitzung: 14.01.2026 im Maritim Hotel, Beginn: 20:00 Uhr.
• 1. Prunksitzung: 17.01.2026 im Gürzenich, Beginn: 19:00 Uhr, ebenfalls ausverkauft.

Crowd-pullers are also the Fest in Weiß-Red on January 22nd and the Prinzenschwof on January 23rd, which will ensure a great atmosphere. Younger fools in particular will be looking forward to the children's session on January 25th, which offers friendly prices: only EUR 8.00 for children up to 18 years of age.

Cologne customs live through the community, and November 11th showed once again how important the carnival is for the city and its people. The Prince's Guard knows how to make the celebrations even more exciting.

In moments like these it becomes clear that Carnival is not just a time of celebration, but also a tradition that is deeply anchored in the hearts of Cologne residents - and that is what makes 11.11. on a very special date in the Cologne calendar. So, here’s to a great carnival session 2025/2026!