Writer: Helena Bergström
Updated: August 2026 | Did you know that they celebrate carnival in Germany for several months every year? If there's one thing we think Sweden is a bit bad at, it's colorful festivals. Sometimes we think we have to go to southern Europe for the carnival atmosphere, but traveling to Germany can actually be enough!
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Co-operation with the German Tourist Office
In collaboration with the German Tourist Office, we have started a series of reports where we will provide tips on places to visit, experiences and events around Germany. This suits us really well.
In the past, we almost saw Germany as a country that you only traveled to. through, but recently we have begun to discover everything that Germany has to offer, not least when traveling by motorhome. In Germany you will find fantastic nature, picturesque cities, unique sights, food and drink experiences and, last but not least, a lot of events and festivals. We start with carnival!
What is Carnival in Germany?
During the Carnival period, also known as the fifth season, there are state of emergency in Germany. You can see crazy carnival trains everywhere and just about everyone, both children and adults, celebrate in the streets in colourful costumes. We've never experienced a carnival like this in Germany, but happened to experience a similar, but perhaps smaller, one in Belgium many years ago. Such a great atmosphere!
The tradition of celebrating carnival dates back to the Middle Ages, and probably has its roots in Roman Catholic Christianity. In preparation for the upcoming Easter fast, which included a ban on eating meat, people simply took the opportunity to celebrate heavily. Today, carnivals are no longer associated with religion in that clear-cut way - but they still celebrate!
Carnival, Fasching or Fastnacht
If you have been in Germany at this time, you may have come across not only the word Karnevel, but also Fasching or Fastnacht. This is the name of similar festivities celebrated in the southern parts of the country. The basis of the celebration is the same, but the dates may be slightly different, and in the south it is also common to dress up in wooden masks representing, for example, witches, devils, animals or jesters.
When is Carnival celebrated in Germany?
The carnival always starts on 11 November at 11:11, takes a break during Christmas, starts again in January and reaches its peak in spring. ”Aschermittwoch” (Ash Wednesday) is the last day of Carnival. Some special days to remember, for those who want to plan a trip and liven up February and March:
- Mardi Gras (Thursday before Ash Wednesday) – the Dirty Thursday, when the carnival's climax starts
- Rose Monday (Monday before Ash Wednesday) – Rose Monday is the highlight of the carnival season
- Shrove Tuesday – fat day, which is also an important day during the carnival
Where is the best place in Germany to celebrate carnival?
- CologneFor the absolute best carnival atmosphere, head to Cologne on Rose Monday. Here you can expect to see around 11,000 people in the carnival procession, including over a thousand musicians and quite a few riders. In the pubs, people are drinking 'Kölsch' (a light beer from Cologne) and spirits are high. In Cologne, they say Kölle Alaaf!
- DusseldorfDusseldorf doesn't seem to spare any effort either, with carnival processions taking place almost every day in early March. Dusseldorf also organises something called "the longest bar in the world" - everyone can join in the celebrations!
- AachenThe city of Aachen, located on the border with the Netherlands and Belgium, celebrates with a carnival and various events.
- MainzThe city of Mainz, near Frankfurt am Main, is famous for its big train on Rosenmontag. The carnival train has existed since 1838 and has about 9500 participants and 500 000 spectators every year.
Nature, history ... and wine
While you're in the western parts of Germany, you might want to take the opportunity to see and experience a bit more of the country.
- Eifel National Park offers large beech forests, mighty oak forests and rich wildlife.
- Aachen Cathedral is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
- Vineyards in the Rhine Valley is suitable for those who want to enjoy both good wine and beautiful surroundings.
- City of Mainz also seems to be interesting with old buildings, stories about the black arts and also fine wines.
More inspiration about Germany
Here you will find more reports about Germany, with inspiration for places to visit, events to discover and experiences to try:
- Oktoberfest
- German castles
- Wine festivals in Germany
- Festivals in Germany
- German specialities in different regions
English (UK) 
Svenska
Britt-Marie Lundgren says:
We had no idea that there were such great carnivals in Germany.
However, we have visited Cologne as our friends we met in South Africa live a few miles away. Then we went on a pub tour and tried different breweries, including Kölsch.
The Eifel was visited on our motorhome trip last spring. We did a half-day hike around three crater lakes. Very beautiful nature. We also stayed a few days in the Rhine Valley.
As you say, Germany has a lot to offer, but it's also a country we've often used as a transit country. We intend to change that a bit in the future.
29 January 2019 - 6:39
Helena says:
Glad you visited Cologne and tried Kölsch! 🙂 Funny also that you visited the Eifel, sounds fantastic! Just like you, we will try to discover a little more of Germany ðŸ™'
29 January 2019 - 12:57
Deciree says:
Wow so cool with karnevaler☺️ We have been to the Mosel several times and a little in the Rhine Valley but unfortunately you mostly drive through to other places you want to go to and to even more heat ... Germany is fantastic and I have a thick book from Germany that I would like to visit a lot of places. Hugs
29 January 2019 - 7:21
Helena says:
Sometimes it is the heat that attracts, I recognise that! Although last summer, when it was 38 degrees in France, I would have liked to move a little north, haha 😉 Glad we have a little left to see in Germany! 🙂
29 January 2019 - 12:58
Deciree says:
Well, not 38 degrees I want, but a little heat ? You are so welcome to join us whenever you want ? Germany really draws ?☺️
31 January 2019 - 6:45
Liniz Travel says:
Oh how exciting 🙂 I also want to see more of Germany 🙂 .
Hugs
29 January 2019 - 9:17
Helena says:
Right? 🙂
29 January 2019 - 12:58
Ama de casa says:
I had no idea that Germany was such a carnival country! I have to say that I like their start time - I love it when it's like 11:11 or 22:22 and I'm a bit obsessed with those number combinations.
Starting on 11 November makes the combination even more cheeky, but I think they have their carnivals at the wrong time of year here in the northern hemisphere. It works well in February in Rio, for example, but here it's freezing cold. I have many times felt sorry for the scantily clad people (mostly girls) in a carnival train that never leaves on time.
I realise that it probably has those religious reasons, but it would be nicer for everyone (and especially warmer!) if they could have those carnivals in the summer months here in the northern hemisphere 🙂 ).
29 January 2019 - 9:27
Helena says:
Ah, I think I remember seeing some such number combinations on your page ...! 😉 I have also thought about the clothes (well, especially women's) during some carnivals ...! Maybe we can hope that they have a little more dressy festival costumes in Germany 😉.
29 January 2019 - 13:00
Solan says:
Have had the newsletter from the German Tourist Board for many years for tips?
We service the motorhome in the south and always look forward to the asparagus season when we roll home from winter storage... We go for the spa & asparagus!?
Carnivals are just like that...easily overdosed with happy antics in Spain. Yep.
29 January 2019 - 9:34
Helena says:
Ah, you're already getting your news! Smart there! 🙂 Spa and asparagus sounds nice, and also a linguistically nice combo 🙂
29 January 2019 - 13:01
Ann says:
Oh how fun that there are so many carnivals, I really had no idea about that!
29 January 2019 - 10:32
Helena says:
I didn't know about it before either, I have to say ... Great way to brighten up February and March 🙂 ...
29 January 2019 - 13:01
Ruth i Virginia says:
1918, 11 November at 11:11 is considered the end of WWI,
so you can understand why the Germans are celebrating.
Here the day is celebrated not with carnivals but as 'Veterans Day',
when we honour all those who have fallen in war.
29 January 2019 - 11:18
Helena says:
Wow, is that true! I didn't really know about this! You get to learn a lot in the blog world, thanks Ruth! 🙂
29 January 2019 - 13:02
JoY says:
Germany certainly has a lot to offer. I did not know that there was such a celebration in Germany. Jakob, on the other hand, knew about it and the date, and it is the same in Switzerland, a big celebration. In Austria they have Fashing in the ski slopes.
It would be great to be part of the celebrations.
Hugs
29 January 2019 - 12:26
Helena says:
I'm glad that Jakob was aware of this! Yes, I think I understood that several countries in the neighbourhood have similar concepts. Fashing in the ski slope sounds fun! 🙂
29 January 2019 - 13:03
Maria / Magnolia Magis says:
No, we did not know about the carnivals in Germany! However, the carnival in Viareggio, Italy which is coming up in February... There are special schools where they make carnival train cars for this month! ( Information about this year's festival: http://viareggio.ilcarnevale.com/files/carnevale-di-viareggio-2019-eng.pdf )
29 January 2019 - 16:07
Helena says:
Schools? Oh yes, it is important to go all in! It is liked 🙂 .
29 January 2019 - 22:00
Nils-Åke Hansson says:
There's still a lot to discover in Germany. Have never been at carnival times there. We have not been much in the eastern part of the country that attracts us.
29 January 2019 - 17:03
Helena says:
There is a lot to see and experience in Germany! 🙂
29 January 2019 - 22:00
Kors och Tvärs says:
But what fun! I had no idea about this. Maybe you can pinpoint something on the way home in the spring?
29 January 2019 - 17:57
Helena says:
Doesn't that sound like fun? 🙂
29 January 2019 - 22:01
World by Tina says:
Wow, sounds absolutely crazy fun. Had no idea! May plan for next year, Karnival in Germany. Thanks for the tips!
29 January 2019 - 18:59
Helena says:
I also had no idea before I started reading, seems to be a really nice atmosphere! 🙂
29 January 2019 - 22:02
BP says:
Congratulations on the cooperation with the German tourist office!
Have actually experienced the carnival parade in Cologne, which is the largest in Germany. It's really fun and there is no equivalent in Sweden. Maybe the Pride parade, but it has a different purpose.
Then I can add that it is women who dress up on Weiberfastnacht and that nine months later the most children are born in Germany.
Rose Monday is a red day in all regions where Carnival is celebrated. On this day the parades take place.
Mainz is perhaps not so much known for its parade but for a 'parody session' at the castle that lasts for several hours and is always shown on television. Kind of like stand-up comedy, but much bigger.
29 January 2019 - 20:13
Helena says:
It's great to work with a partner that feels so right! Great fun! 🙂 And thanks for lots of extra info! What a good control you have on this!!! 🙂!
29 January 2019 - 22:03
Reiselinda says:
Yes, I know about Fasching. You can watch the news from Cologne every year during the carnival!
When I lived in Potsdam, I had corridor neighbours from Bonn/Cologne who made sure we had a carnival in the corridor. Then a group of us went to Berlin to a restaurant that opened so that everyone from the West would have a place to go when the capital moved to Berlin. A huge carnival was organised there and as I remember it was fun! 😀
Lately, I've been travelling to Nassau (a small town in Germany) for work at carnival time and have seen all sorts of things on the streets on my way to and from hotels and restaurants....
The Germans know how to celebrate!
29 January 2019 - 20:33
Helena says:
I can imagine that you have control! 🙂 Glad that you managed to dot the carnivals several times! 🙂
29 January 2019 - 22:04
Beppan says:
I've been lucky enough to attend various wine and food festivals in southern Germany a few times. Along the Mosel there are a lot of such events during the year - but mostly before and after the wine harvest of course... Also in other places of course. Usually nice and easy-going events. The only thing we have booked in that way is the sausage festival in Bad Dürkheim to my sausage-loving husband's great joy 🙂.
29 January 2019 - 21:45
Helena says:
Sounds great with wine and food festivals! And fun with a sausage festival 🙂
27 February 2019 - 8:15
Lena i Wales says:
I have spent a lot of time in Germany, but have not experienced carnivals there. However, I have experienced it in Holland and it is an eternal party, fun in the beginning.
It's great that you are co-operating with Germany, there is so much to experience and see there.
30 January 2019 - 10:53
Helena says:
We used to travel mostly through Germany, but it's time to start discovering Germany a little more now, we thought. We travelled a lot in Germany last summer, and it feels like there is so much to see and discover. Yes, great fun with the collaboration!
27 February 2019 - 8:16
Marias Memoarer says:
Sounds cool with these carnivals. and I like everything colourful! I haven't happened to be in Germany when any carnival was going on unfortunately.
30 January 2019 - 18:38
Helena says:
I also like carnivals and festivals! Lovely atmosphere, and also fun to photograph 🙂 .
27 February 2019 - 8:17
Lena - gott för själen says:
I love that kind of atmosphere. I have never been to a carnival in Germany. Of course I know about it, but I didn't realise it was such an extremely long period.
In 1988 there was a carnival in Uppsala, when I was expecting my eldest son. There was a group of us in the train. We had a giant whale (a covered truck) pulling a South Sea island (a covered cart). We were dressed as inhabitants of a South Sea island. I, heavily pregnant, was the chief and had to sit on the island while the others danced around the cart. Haha, those were the times 🙂
Hug Lena
31 January 2019 - 5:57
Helena says:
Same here, I had no idea it was going on for so long before I started reading 😉 Great memory from Uppsala!!!!
27 February 2019 - 8:18