Swakopmund, 2 September 2026 – It’s that time of year again! The Swakopmund Carnival (Küska) is just around the corner and will be celebrated for the 39th time this year. Under the theme “Wir malen den Nebel bunt” (We Paint the fog/town colourful”, Swakopmund will once again transform into a carnival hotspot for several days – filled with music, dancing, comedy, colourful costumes and, of course, plenty of good cheer.
The Küska has long been firmly established on the event calendar of Namibia’s coastal town, bringing people together from across the region to celebrate the rich German-Namibian carnival tradition. This year’s motto could hardly be more fitting for Swakopmund. After all, fog is almost part of the town’s identity. At times, the coast can spend days wrapped in various shades of grey. The Küska, however, has decided to do something about it: We are going to paint the fog colourful! And if the sun doesn’t always make it through, the carnival revellers will simply provide the colour, music and atmosphere themselves. Because one thing is certain: there will be nothing grey about the Küska!
A Successful Start with the Narrenwecker
The festivities officially got underway last Saturday, 29 August, with the traditional Narrenwecker. As always, the event took place in Sam Nujoma Avenue in front of the Swakopmund Pharmacy. A short but lively programme, accompanied by great music from the band Get2, got the celebrations off to a flying start, while there was also plenty of food and refreshments to keep the revellers going. The Narrenwecker also marked the official start of ticket sales for the events during carnival week. The start could hardly have been better. Despite the foggy weather, seats were quickly in short supply and ticket
sales got off to a particularly promising start. The Swakopmund Carnival Association is delighted by the response and would like to thank everyone who will be joining us to celebrate Küska 2026.
A Week Full of Carnival
The celebrations will then really get underway in September at the Haus der Jugend (HdJ). On Thursday, 24 September, the Prinzenball will bid farewell to the reigning Carnival Prince and Princess and officially unveil the new princely couple. The big question, of course, is: Who will take over the reins and rule over Swakopmund for a week? The Prinzenball will be followed by two International Evenings on 25 and 29 September, as well as two
German Büttenabende on 1 and 2 October. This year also sees the return of a dedicated Ladies’ Evening on 30 September.
The Little Revellers Join the Fun
Of course, the youngest carnival fans will not be left out. The Children’s Carnival (Küskika) will once again take place on 27 September in the hall of the Swakopmund Football Club (SFC). As last year, the venue offers plenty of space for young and old to celebrate together.
And there is an exciting question to be answered here as well: Who will become the new Küskika Prince and Princess and reign over the little revellers for the coming year?
The Big Street Parade
Another major highlight of Küska is the big Street Parade on 3 October through the streets of Swakopmund. Colourfully decorated floats, music groups, dance ensembles and, of course, plenty of costumed revellers will transform the town into one giant carnival stage. Participants and spectators alike are warmly invited to join the celebrations. Colourful costumes, music, singing and dancing will fill the streets and create the lively atmosphere that has become a hallmark of the Küska. Anyone who would like to take part in the parade is very welcome. Whether it is a walking group, small float or large truck – every contribution is welcome. Interested participants can contact Gernot Russmann
(Mobile: 081-124 6983; Email: gernot@atom.com.na). As tradition dictates, the parade will end at the SFC hall, where the Küska will come to a grand finale with the traditional Kehraus. Together, We Paint the Fog Colourful
As every year, the Küska promises an unforgettable experience for young and old alike. The organisers warmly invite everyone to join in celebrating cultural diversity, community spirit and, above all, plenty of fun. A special thank you goes to the many sponsors and supporters of the Küska. Without their financial and practical support, it would not be possible to bring colour, music and good cheer to the streets and halls of Swakopmund year after year.
Thank you to everyone who helps us paint the fog colourful! Further information and the full programme can be found on the Küska Facebook page and at www.swakopkarneval.com. Tickets for the various evenings are available Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 12:30 at Sebastian Klein Goldschmied in Swakopmund.
Mobile: 081-207 4171
Email: sebastianklein5@gmail.com
Press contact:
Erwin Leuschner – 081-271 0645 – erwinleuschner@gmail.com
About the Swakopmund Carnival (Küska)
The Küska is an annual carnival event in Swakopmund, Namibia, which has been celebrating
German-Namibian culture for decades. With colourful parades, festive balls, comedy evenings and a wide variety of events, the Küska attracts visitors from across Namibia and offers a unique experience for young and old alike.
