Cologne Carnival
The Cologne Carnival is one of the biggest street parties in Europe. The famous Altstadt (old town) is transformed into a dazzling and colourful celebration, with what seems like the entire population of the city in fancy dress.
Prepare for lots of dancing and partying in the streets, pubs and bars and plenty of Kölsch, the delicious local beer. At 11.11am on 11 November, Germany's "fifth season", Karneval, begins and the whole country goes barking mad.
The craziness reaches its real climax the week before Ash Wednesday. At 11.11am on 11 February the main carnival week in Cologne is declared officially open with the Women's Carnival Day, when the women of Cologne are deemed in charge of the city. On Carnival Sunday (14 February) a parade of local school children takes place. Then on Monday 15 February it's the turn of the main event (known in Germany as Rosenmonntag), when a cavalcade of groups with fabulously decorated lorries, tractors and bands starts out on a six-kilometre route through the centre of Cologne. Keep an eye out for the lorries carrying huge effigies lampooning Germany's politicians.
The day after (Shrove Tuesday), various parades take place in Cologne's suburbs, but if you're unaccustomed to partying Cologne-style you should probably just prepare for a hangover instead! It all draws to a more sedate close on Ash Wednesday when the tradition is to eat fish - pick any pub or restaurant on this day and you'll find it on the menu.
Cologne is said to be "the most Mediterranean" city in Germany. During the period of the Carnival, this hot temperament - usually hidden - comes to the surface. Get to know this facet of Germany, and celebrate with the locals during their biggest party of the year.
Related Information
Website: Cologne Carnival Committee Website
| Contact Details | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Festkommitee des Koelner Karnevals von 1823 eV |
| Email: | info@koelnerkarneval.de |
| Fax: | +49 (0) 221 574 0037 |
| Phone: | +49 (0) 221 574 000 |
| Address: | Maarweg 134-136, 50825 Cologne, Germany |
| Town Information: | Cologne |
| Full Name: | |
| Directions: | On the River Rhine in north-west Germany. By Air: to Cologne-Bonn and Düsseldorf airports. By Train: to Köln Hauptbahnhof or Deutzer Bahnhof. By Car: off the A1, A3 and A4 motorways. |
| Other Information: | Cologne |
| Website: | German Railway Timetables Website |
| Website: | Cologne City Website |
| Contact Details | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Festkommitee des Koelner Karnevals von 1823 eV |
| Email: | info@koelnerkarneval.de |
| Fax: | +49 (0) 221 574 0037 |
| Phone: | +49 (0) 221 574 000 |
| Address: | Maarweg 134-136, 50825 Cologne, Germany |
| Name: | Cologne Tourist Office |
| Location: | Cologne |
| Address: | Kardinal-Höffner-Platz 1, 50667 Cologne, Germany |
| Email: | info@koelntourismus.de |
| Phone: | +49 (0) 221 221 304 00 |
| Fax: | +49 (0) 221 221 304 10 |
| Name: | North Rhine Westphalia Tourist Office |
| Location: | North Rhine Westphalia |
| Address: | Worringer Strasse 22, 50668 Köln/Cologne, Germany |
| Email: | info@nrw-tourismus.de |
| Phone: | +49 (0) 221 179 450 |
| Fax: | +49 (0) 221 179 4517 |
| Name: | German Tourist Information (DZT) |
| Location: | Germany |
| Address: | Beethovenstraße 69, 60325 Frankfurt/Main, Germany |
| Fax: | +49 (0) 69 75 19 03 |
