Cologne Tightens Security Measures Ahead of Street Carnival

The city of Cologne is gearing up for the upcoming street carnival with extensive security measures. Officials announced on Monday that access restrictions and glass bans will again be enforced to protect both revelers and residents in the busiest celebration zones. Several of these measures have been adjusted to better reflect changing visitor flows.

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From Weiberfastnacht on February 12 through Ash Wednesday on February 18, around 400 municipal enforcement officers will be deployed, along with hundreds more from the fire department, aid organizations, and private security services. These teams will monitor entry controls, enforce glass bans, and manage street closures.

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Dirk Käsbach, head of the city’s regulatory office, announced a firm approach and called on celebrants to act responsibly. “Be considerate of the residents, use the trash cans and toilets provided, and pay attention to helpless people,” Käsbach said. “Then these will be joyful days for everyone.”

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The traditionally popular Zülpicher district will once again be sealed off as in previous years to ensure that emergency services can access the area at all times. Residents will be allowed through each checkpoint by showing identification. A ban on bottles and other glass containers will also apply throughout the district.

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A glass ban will likewise be in effect in the Green Belt and the Old Town, while the city has called for a voluntary glass-free zone in Südstadt. Across the main hotspots, authorities plan to install around 1,000 mobile toilets, 750 waste bins, and additional glass collection points.

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Security arrangements have been strengthened in several areas as well. Since 2024, officials have observed that revelers are spreading out more widely rather than concentrating mainly in the Zülpicher district. The Old Town, Südstadt, and the area around Chlodwigplatz have become especially popular, prompting additional safety measures there.

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The street carnival officially begins on Weiberfastnacht on February 12. The session then builds toward its highlight, the Rose Monday parades on February 16. Celebrations end on Ash Wednesday, when carnival fans begin their wait for the next season starting November 11.

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