Carnival in Germany always starts on November 11, with the big celebrations and parades falling the full week before Ash Wednesday. For the week after Ash Wednesday, Carnival celebrations are held in cities across Germany, the biggest and best being held in Cologne, Dusseldorf, Aachen and Mainz, cities which are relatively close to each other so you can get the flavor of Carnival in each of them if you want to travel a little between the cities.
Official Start of Carnival Season - 11 November every year.
Regardless of the year or when Lent falls, November 11 at 11:11 pm signals the start of Carnival with balls and parades - from November 11 until the start of the "crazy days" there are private parties and events on a much more sedate level than the final celebrations starting the week before Lent.
Womens Carnival Day (Rhineland)- Wednesday, 30 January 2008
A wild day for Carnival. First thing in the morning all the women don their fancy dress, head to the office for a few hours (or not) and at 10 am the migration starts toward the town sqaure. At 11:11 am the Carnival is officially opened by the Carnival Prince, the Carnival Peasant and the Carnival Virgin.
Women are in complete control and a wild German woman is a delight to see. Men's ties are cut off and women have a generally rambunctious time doing all the things a German lady normally doesn't do. In the evening, there are parties and masked balls. This is ladies night on a grand scale as the men must pay for all the ladies' drinks, no questions asked.
Thursday, 31 January, 2008
People may easily party through the night on Weiber-Fastnacht, the first night of Carnival. Go back to your hotel, get a little sleep and prepare for the second night of masked balls and parties.
Friday, 1 February, 2008
Get up early in the morning and go for a traditional Frühschoppen (early-morning drink) then plan to party, party, party. The streets are full of Carnival figures - dressed in traditional costumes and in the evening you can join in the ghost processions (Geisterzug).
Carnival Sunday, 3 February 2008
A great day for the kids as the kids get to have parades, wear costumes and celebrate a little more sedately (or at least a little less intoxicated) than the adults.
Rose Monday, 4 February 2008
The big day! Plan on huge parades filled with
decorated carts, coaches, giant figures mocking well known political or international figures, groups of masked fools, brass bands, horses and people in all manner of costume - fancy dress or no dress at all. Thousands of candies, chocolates, beads, sweets and flowers are thrown into the crowd and the celebration continues through the day - even once the parade is finished with dances, parties and festivities in all the local bars and restaurants.
Tuesday, 5 February 2008
More parades in the afternoon with lots of people in fancy dress - more parties although a little more sedate than the rest of the week.
Ash Wednesday, 6 February 2008
Time to start acting like a grown-up again - go out for a traditional fish dinner at any restaurant or pub and plan your next few days at the spa to clean out your system.
