Kölner Karnevalsmuseum

About the museum

Before the current building was established, the Festkomitee Kölner Karneval (Cologne Carnival Committee) displayed its collection in a smaller museum in the organization's former premises in Cologne's city center. Many items were also scattered among individual carnival societies.

On June 19, 2005, the Kölner Karnevalsmuseum opened in the Haus des Kölner Karnevals on Maarweg in Ehrenfeld, where the Festkomitee also has its headquarters. Across more than 1,400 square meters, it brought together the previously scattered holdings and supplemented them with rare loans and acquisitions. It is considered the largest carnival museum in the German-speaking world.

The exhibition is divided into a historical section, which traces carnival festivities from ancient precursors through the reform of Cologne Carnival in 1823 to the Nazi era, and an interactive area in the large hall. On view are the origins of Held Carneval (the carnival hero figure) and the Dreigestirn (the triumvirate of Prince, Peasant, and Maiden), medals, uniforms of the traditional corps, costumes, and stations on musicians and songs; among the most valuable pieces is the minute book of the Festordnendes Komitee from 1827.

From August 2022, the museum remained closed for fire safety renovations. It reopened to visitors for the first time on International Museum Day, May 17, 2026; since then it has been accessible on individual event days and for guided tours.

Highlights

• Origins of Held Carneval and the Cologne Dreigestirn
• Minute book of the Festordnendes Komitee from 1827
• Medals, uniforms, and costumes from two centuries
• Multimedia stations on carnival music and songs
• Combined guided tours with the float-building hall of the Rosenmontag parade

Permanent exhibitions

• Kölner Karneval von den Anfängen bis heute – Historical tour from early Shrovetide customs through the reform of 1823 to the 20th century, with medals, uniforms, costumes, and the development of the Dreigestirn.

Founded

2005

Operated by

Festkomitee Kölner Karneval von 1823 e. V.

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The exhibition area is reachable via a wheelchair-accessible elevator.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A1 (exit Köln-Lövenich, then B55/Aachener Straße) or the A57 (exit Bickendorf, then Äußere Kanalstraße, which becomes Maarweg).

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The Festkomitee also markets the museum as an event venue; rooms and terms are not published.

Plan your visit