Carnival in Germany
February 12 · Level 10 · #206 of 2238
Germany's carnival season fills the weeks before Lent with costumes, music and a generous helping of satire. Regional names such as Karneval, Fastnacht and Fasching reflect distinct local traditions, with the Rhineland especially famous for its celebrations.
How it is celebrated: people dress up, sing carnival songs and join street parties. Parades in Cologne, Düsseldorf and Mainz feature elaborate floats that poke fun at public figures, while sweets fly towards the crowds.
In many Rhineland cities, the season ceremonially begins on 11 November at 11:11. The biggest street celebrations arrive much later, just before Lent: this “fifth season” enjoys a long warm-up.