Lucerne Carnival 2027 – the timeline for your costume
When Guggenmusik bands, cliques and individuals should have their costume made or altered
Lucerne Carnival (Fasnacht) 2027 starts on 4 February. That sounds far away – for a made-to-measure costume or a whole Guggenmusik series it is not. Every January groups come to our studio on Sempacherstrasse who are then short of time. This timeline helps you avoid that.
Carnival dates 2027
- Thu, 4 February 2027 Schmutziger Donnerstag Urknall at 5 am, Fritschi parade at 2 pm
- Mon, 8 February 2027 Güdismontag Wey morning call, Wey parade at 2 pm
- Tue, 9 February 2027 Güdisdienstag Monstercorso at 7.30 pm – the grand finale
- 15–17 February 2027 Basel Carnival Morgestraich on Monday at 4 am, three days of carnival
Dates without guarantee. The official programme is published by the Lucerne Carnival Committee at lfk.ch.
The costume timeline
Counted from Schmutziger Donnerstag, 4 February 2027. Early birds get a free choice of fabric and dates; latecomers have to compromise.
-
October to November 2026
Guggenmusik bands and cliques: settle the theme, have every member measured, choose fabrics. A series takes around three months – starting now leaves room for fittings and latecomers.
-
By mid-December 2026
Made-to-measure individual costume: allow six to eight weeks including a fitting. The holidays fall right in the middle – the order should be in by mid-December at the latest.
-
January 2027
Altering bought, inherited or last year's costumes: taking in, letting out, shortening, a new zip, lengthening a child's costume. Simple jobs are often done in 1–2 days, but the queue grows towards the end of January.
-
The last week before 4 February
Full fitting with everything you will wear at the parade: warm layer underneath, shoes, mask, instrument. Small repairs and express jobs are now only possible on request.
-
From Ash Wednesday, 10 February 2027
Have the costume cleaned while confetti, paint and stains are fresh. Many customers hand in their alteration wishes for next year at the same time – then the costume is ready in autumn.
What a carnival costume needs
Room for a warm layer
February nights in Lucerne are cold. Try the costume on with what you will wear underneath – otherwise it will be too tight at the parade.
Freedom to play
Trombone, drum or trumpet players need room at the shoulders and armholes. Bring your instrument to the fitting.
Seams that survive a parade
Shoulders, crotch and pockets tear first. We reinforce these points and work with hard-wearing fabrics.
Nothing that chafes under the mask
We finish collars and necklines so that the mask does not rest on a hard seam.
Children's costumes that grow along
With extra seam and hem allowance, a child's costume can be lengthened next year in a few steps.
From our studio
What we do for your carnival
- Carnival costumes made from your own idea, sketch or photo
- Series for Guggenmusik bands, cliques and groups – each costume fitted individually
- Taking in, letting out or shortening bought and inherited costumes
- Replacing zips, mending tears, attaching appliqués
- Costumes for Basel Carnival from a theme template
- Cleaning after carnival in the same building
No appointment needed, Monday to Saturday at Sempacherstrasse 19 – two minutes from Lucerne station. For groups, best call us first: 041 410 31 09.
Frequently asked questions about Carnival 2027
Contact →When is Lucerne Carnival 2027?
From Schmutziger Donnerstag, 4 February 2027, to Güdisdienstag, 9 February 2027. Ash Wednesday falls on 10 February. Basel Carnival follows from 15 to 17 February 2027.
When do I have to order my carnival costume?
For a made-to-measure individual costume by mid-December 2026 at the latest, as it takes six to eight weeks including a fitting. Guggenmusik and clique series should be ordered by the end of November.
Can I still have a bought costume altered in January?
Yes. Shortening, taking in or a new zip are often done in 1–2 days. The closer carnival gets, the longer the wait – come at the beginning rather than the end of January.
Do I need an appointment?
No. Come by with your costume, sketch or photo without an appointment, Monday to Saturday at Sempacherstrasse 19 in Lucerne. For larger groups a quick call beforehand is worthwhile.
Do you clean the costume after carnival?
Yes, in our dry-cleaning shop in the same building – including confetti, paint and delicate fabrics. The sooner after the parades, the better the stains come out.
