Carnival in Germany

Every year, on November 11th at 11:11 AM and 11 seconds, it's that time again: The fifth season begins! We are, of course, talking about Carnival, also known as Fasnacht or Fastnacht. Carnival in Germany is especially celebrated joyously in the Rhineland. Get dressed up, disguise yourself, and join in the festivities as it becomes colorful again in the Carnival strongholds of the country.

Even today, the most colorful and creative costumes, lively music, and grand gatherings with funny yet political speeches enthrall Carnival lovers in the Rhineland year after year. However, the Carnival in the Rhineland has a long tradition. The peak of the fifth season has always been the weekend before Ash Wednesday: From Thursday to Tuesday, the street carnival comes alive in the German hotspots along the Rhine - featuring colorful parades with decorated floats, accompanied by music and dance groups, and dressed-up participants, who also like to engage in some flirtation. A trip to Cologne, Düsseldorf, or Mainz during Carnival time is definitely worth it! Read here about what the long-standing traditions look like, how they originated, and how you can celebrate Carnival differently!

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Background | Düsseldorf | Cologne | Mainz | A Different Kind of Carnival | Survey

The tradition of Carnival dates back to the ancient Germanic tribes. They would wear masks and animal skins to celebrate and awaken good spirits to bring in spring.

In the Middle Ages, these traditions were integrated into Christianity. The idea was to fully enjoy the time before the six-week fasting period. The word Carnival actually comes from 'Carnevale', which translates to 'Farewell to meat!'

It wasn't until the 19th century, during the Napoleonic occupation of the Rhineland, that Carnival established itself here as politically and socially critical, which continues to characterize it today. Since political events were banned, people met in secret and expressed their thoughts on Napoleon's policies in a critical yet humorous way. The number eleven, associated with clowns, also originates from this time, serving to mockingly defy ecclesiastical authority, as those who breached the Ten Commandments were considered fools at that time.

On November 11th each year, it's that time again, and it's called: 'Hoppeditzerwachen'. In the marketplace in front of the town hall in Düsseldorf, the main character Hoppeditz awakens and climbs out of his mustard pot. The Hoppeditz is traditionally one of the most important figures in Düsseldorf's Carnival. With his sharp-tongued and amusing opening speech, he challenges the mayor to a humorous verbal duel each year and officially begins the Carnival season. From that moment on, laughter, dancing, and merrymaking can resume in Düsseldorf - so: 'Düsseldorf Helau!'

Every year, the Carnival season in the hotbeds has its own motto, this year it's 'Jeck Erst Recht', under which humorous gatherings and costume balls take place. Besides humorous speeches, impressive dance performances by dance groups, and lively music, the appearance of the Düsseldorf royal couple is the highlight of each session.

On Weiberfastnacht, the city belongs to the women: Every year on Carnival Thursday, carnival women storm the town hall. Countless disguised ladies 'attack' the men at their work and cut off their ties, whether they like it or not!

And even on Carnival Sunday, things are wild in Düsseldorf. Crowds in extravagant costumes gather in the Old Town and on Königsallee to celebrate the popular festival together! The next day, the Rose Monday parade is ready for its starting signal. With about 72 floats, over 30 bands, and around 5.1 kilometers in length, it is one of the largest in Germany. Hundreds of thousands watch the parade, hoping to catch some of the candies thrown from the floats.

The clownish end of the festivities occurs on Carnival Tuesday and signifies the conclusion of the Carnival celebration. The royal couple is officially bid farewell by the mayor and the president of the 'Comitee Düsseldorfer Carneval' (CC). However, the Carnival season truly concludes only on Ash Wednesday. The symbolic burning of Hoppeditz completely marks the end and ushers in the fasting period.

In Cologne, it has already been that time since November 11, 2017, under the motto 'Mer Kölsche Danze Us Der Reih': The Carnival season was opened at the Old Market with famous Carnival bands and the current Trio. The Cologne Trio consists of a prince, a farmer, and a maiden, and serves as the representative figurehead for the upcoming Carnival campaign. Since then, iconic songs such as 'Da simmer dabei! Dat es prima! VIVA COLONIA!' have been heard throughout the city, and the chants of 'Kölle Alaaf!' resound everywhere. Around 160 Carnival societies, local clubs, and neighborhood communities make the Festival of Festivals come alive in about 500 gatherings, balls, and parades. Carnival in Cologne is among the largest and most famous folk festivals in the Rhineland.

Also in Cologne, the days leading up to Ash Wednesday, this year until February 14th, are the busiest: From Weiberfastnacht to Carnival Tuesday, partygoers in colorful and impressive costumes celebrate their favorite festival in bars, clubs, and large festive halls. Everything kicks off on Thursday with the lively street carnival. On Weiberfastnacht, February 8, 2018, entire offices are taken over by carnival women. From now on, the whole city is on its feet! Starting at 10 AM, open-air sessions take place at the Old Market, which are even broadcast on television, featuring the best Carnival bands Cologne has to offer. On Friday and Saturday evenings, there's partying in bars throughout the city, with Cologne Carnival music playing everywhere.

On Carnival Sunday, the 'Schull- und Veedelszöch', meaning the school and neighborhood parades, march through the streets. The best of these foot and float groups then get to be part of the main parade on Rose Monday.

Rose Monday is, alongside the wild Weiberfastnacht, the highlight of the street carnival in Cologne. Around one million spectators line the streets to admire the elaborate floats and fabulous costumes while enjoying the music. During this event, candies, known as 'Kamelle', are thrown from the floats, as well as 'Strüßje', which are small bouquets of flowers that are even more popular than the sweets!

But Carnival must come to an end in Cologne as well. On the night before Ash Wednesday, on Veilchendienstag, a life-sized dressed straw figure is burned, taking on the role of the scapegoat. This is considered a farewell ritual and is referred to by the locals as Nubbelverbrennung. According to this belief, every sin committed during Carnival is forgiven.

In keeping with this motto, this year's Mainz Carnival kicks off as well. Also on November 11th, the comic Grundgesetz was proclaimed in Mainz at Schillerplatz, marking the start of the beloved and especially fun season in a rhythm with the famous Narrhalla march. The New Year's parade of the Garden, traditionally held on January 1st, officially kicks off the much-anticipated Carnival season in Mainz. Since then, revelers have been meeting every weekend until Weiberfastnacht to partake in the famous Carnival gatherings. The tradition states that each gathering must start exactly 11 minutes after the hour. Only then may the Elferrat proceed in splendor and glory into the festively adorned hall. On Carnival Thursday, the long-awaited Altweiberfastnacht is finally here, opened at the Mainz Carnival fountain. Then, on Carnival Saturday, the recruit swear-in occurs, during which an oath of loyalty to the guard and Carnival is made based on a derived oath from Prince Carnival. As in Düsseldorf and Cologne, the peak of the joyous and humorous festivities is the Rose Monday parade, which transforms the city center into a colorful sea. On this day, elaborately decorated floats, musical groups, and guards parade through Mainz. However, one thing cannot be missed: the Mainz Schwellköpp. These are oversized papier-mâché heads that satirically represent Mainz characters.

On Carnival Tuesday, the festive activities are completed with a Kappenfahrt. In numerous bars and on Ludwigstraße, Mainz locals bid farewell to the campaign until next year and bury it.

So far, we have primarily introduced you to the traditions and customs of the Carnival hotbeds in the Rhineland, but Carnival, or 'Fasching', is celebrated in other regions of Germany as well. We don't want to bore you with these many and varied traditions and practices because it would take all night to present them all. What's much more interesting is how one can have fun at Carnival in a less traditional way, right?

After all, many people enjoy dressing up but prefer to celebrate the fifth season in a modern way, away from the old traditions. And that's certainly possible! Modern and hardly traditional Carnival parties for all costume and themed party lovers can be found in almost every Carnival hotspot and in many other nearby cities. From small indie clubs to large nightclubs, nearly every party venue today seizes the Carnival season as an opportunity to throw big parties with colorful costumes and turn the night into day.

In Düsseldorf, Cologne, and Mainz, all three Carnival hotspots, you can celebrate the 5th season exuberantly, dressed in the craziest, most colorful costumes, and enjoying lively music, whether traditionally or modernly. However, not everyone is fond of this tradition. In many Carnival regions, there are consequently distinct camps of Carnival fanatics and those who completely reject Carnival. And of course, there are those who enjoy dressing up but do not particularly like the traditional Carnival customs. Which camp do you belong to?

Cologne, Düsseldorf, and Mainz are the strongholds of Rhineland Carnival. In these beautiful historic cities, something is happening year-round, but the fifth season crowns everything! For many residents of the Rhineland, participating in these festivities is a must, and they certainly let loose. If you also feel like visiting Cologne, Düsseldorf, or Mainz during Carnival but don't live nearby, don't hesitate to send us a free travel inquiry or quickly book an affordable hotel! Because Carnival is just around the corner.

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