Unterwegs – February 13, 2026

KARNEVAL/FASTNACHT

FASCHING, FEB. 12 – 17, GERMANY WIDE

Thursday, Feb. 12. marked the beginning of the Karneval season in Germany. Thursday is referred to as “Altweiberfastnacht” (old wives’ Fastnacht), where witches steal the keys to the city hall and take over command for the weekend. There are celebrations throughout the weekend and the festival culminates on “Faschingsdienstag” (Shrove Tuesday), as Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent.

The largest parades take place on Rose Monday, Feb. 16 in the city centers: Köln/Cologne, 10:00 a.m., Düsseldorf, 12.30 a.m., Mainz, 11:11 a.m., Aachen, 11:11 a.m., Stuttgart, 12:00 a.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 17, Ramstein-Miesenbach, Westricher Fastnacht, at 2:00 p.m., with 30,000 spectators and KMC participation expected.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ROADS IN THE CITY CENTER OF RAMSTEIN WILL BE BLOCKED OFF FOR TRAFFIC FROM 12:00 – 6:00 P.M. VISITORS ARE ADVISED TO COME EARLY, PARK OUT AS FAR AS POSSIBLE AND WALK TO THE EVENT. SEE MAP ON PAGE 5 FOR DETAILS.

TRUE COLLINS – EUROPE’S GREATEST PHIL COLLINS SHOW

FEB. 28, 8 P.M., STADTHALLE, LANDSTUHL

Experience Europe’s largest PHIL COLLINS SHOW and let yourself be swept away by the unforgettable hits of Phil Collins and Genesis. This spectacular show offers an incredible likeness to the original and brings the legendary world hits and emotions of the British superstar to the stage in an impressive way. Enjoy a fantastic sound and light show that makes the experience even more intense and perfectly captures the atmosphere of a real Phil Collins concert. With classics like “In the Air Tonight,” “Another Day in Paradise,” “Land of Confusion,” or “No Son of Mine,” TRUE COLLINS ensures that every song is brought to life to perfection. Be part of it and let yourself be enchanted by this unique tribute to Phil Collins and Genesis.

COUNT PALATINATE HALL AND THE SUBTERRANEAN TUNNELS

MARCH 7, 11:15 A.M., TOURIST INFO, KAISERSLAUTERN

The tour starts in the Count Palatinate Hall of the former Casimir Castle, where official receptions of the city are held today. Afterwards you descend into the subterranean tunnels. These passages, which are approx. 70 m long, illustrate the history of Kaiserslautern. Meeting Point: Tourist Information, Fruchthallstr. 14, duration: approx. 1.5 hours. A registration is required per mail to Touristinformation@kaiserslautern.de or phone +49 (0)631 365 2316.

GERMAN-AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP CONCERT

MARCH 7, 7:30 P.M., FRUCHTHALLE, KAISERSLAUTERN

The U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz announces that the annual German-American Friendship Concert with the U.S. Army Europe and Africa Band was postponed and has been rescheduled to March 7, 2026. Admission is free with a ticket; they will be distributed at the German-American Community Office in Rathaus-Nord Kaiserslautern on Feb. 20 from 1 – 4 p.m.

INTERNATIONAL EASTER EGG MARKET

MARCH 7 AND 8, SCHWETZINGEN CASTLE, SCHWETZINGEN

When the palace garden awakens from hibernation, Schwetzingen Castle is all about Easter eggs for a weekend. Spring is not far away: On March 7 and 8, the International Easter Egg Market will once again take place in the baroque ambience of Schwetzingen Castle. Around 50 egg artists will exhibit their filigree works of art in the northern circle of the castle. Whether quail or ostrich egg, acrylic or watercolor: no two eggs are alike here. The extraordinary event is a real magnet for guests from all over Europe. Colorful variety in a baroque ambience: Easter eggs as far as the eye can see.

FLOHMARKT  (FLEA AND ANTIQUE MARKET)

MARCH 7, FORUM, HOMBURG

The flea market in the region was founded in 1975 by the Homburg Advertising Association and has developed into the largest in the Southwest German region. Today, the flea market is organized by Homburger Kultur GmbH. Every first Saturday of the month – on holidays the flea market date is postponed by one week. On peak days in the summer, up to 1,000 vendors offer their goods and attract thousands of visitors to Homburg. The flea market has become the top destination for customers, including those from France, Luxembourg, and Belgium. All of this makes the flea market a tourist attraction. Next date: April 11.

SUNDAY SHOPPING

MARCH 22, 1 – 6 P.M., KAISERSLAUTERN

Shopping pleasure for the whole family. On Sunday, March 22, the shopping city of Kaiserslautern invites you to the popular open-for-business Sunday. Numerous stores in the city center as well as in the commercial areas will open their doors, offering visitors a relaxed shopping experience in a spring atmosphere.

10TH HINKELSTEIN-WANDERMARATHON/TRAIL

MARCH 29/VARIOUS TIMES, OTTERBERG

Registration now open: With the first rays of spring sunshine, hiking enthusiasts and trail running fans can prove their early-season fitness March 29, and look forward to an exciting outdoor event at the “10th Hinkelstein Hiking Marathon / Trail.” In close proximity to the impressive abbey church, with the start and finish at the town hall in Otterberg, the varied route follows the certified Hinkelstein Trail: In addition to natural forest paths and stretches across open fields, past historic boundary stones, menhirs, and idyllic ponds, the trail offers attractive landscapes and breathtaking views, including of Donnersberg, the highest mountain in the Palatinate. Whether at a moderate or brisk hiking pace, or possibly even faster – for the marathon distance, hikers and trail runners have a total of around 42 kilometers and 500 meters of elevation to cover. For hikers, an optional half-marathon distance of about 22 kilometers and 200 meters of elevation is also offered. The start times are from 7:30 to 8:00 AM for the marathon, from 8:00 to 9:00 AM for the half marathon, and from 9:00 to 9:30 AM for the trail. The route is consistently marked and signposted, and along the way, various refreshment stations and check points are set up for all participants. The organizer of the hiking marathon and trail is the Verbandsgemeinde Otterbach-Otterberg, supported by the tourism offices of Winnweiler and Enkenbach-Alsenborn. The registration portal is open: https://www.otterbach-otterberg.de/tourismus-freizeit/wandern/hinkelsteinweg/hinkelstein wandermarathon-trail/