Cologne Carnival (Kölner Karneval) 2025 in Germany

The Cologne Carnival takes place every year in Cologne, Germany, since the Middle Ages. The time of the carnival is officially declared open at Alter Markt square on the last Thursday before the Lent. A week-long street carnival, called "the crazy days," usually takes place between Fat Thursday and Ash Wednesday. During these days, Cologne residents go out, flaunting some of the most strange, unique, fancy, and funny costumes.

Dates

The carnival season kicks off in Cologne on November 11th at 11:11 am, with crowds of vibrantly dressed revelers flocking to the city center. However, the main parades and carnival events unfold for almost a week, starting from Thursday before Ash Wednesday, on a holiday called Weiberfastnacht, and spanning until Ash Wednesday.

Carnival Traditions & Customs

Unique to the Rhineland, Weiberfastnacht is originally known as the women's carnival and involves women dressing as witches, old women, and various other characters. On this day, any woman could come up to the man, cut off his tie, and kiss him. The tradition dates back to 1824, when Wäscherinnen, female washers, had had enough of men dominating the carnival, formed their own association, and joined the festivities.

Every year, three persons are selected to get the titles of Jungfrau, Prinz, and Bauer at the carnival. The carnival prince is the highest royalty of the festivities, leading the parades. He wears a crown with a peacock tail, a chain and a girdle, white pants, and a purple jacket. His float is the final one on Shrove Monday. The Jungfrau, or "maiden," is usually a man dressed as a female. She has a crown and a mirror. Bauer is a peasant and he represents the large agricultural community of Cologne. This tradition has existed since 1883.

Carnival Program & Schedule

Cologne Carnival is indeed one of the largest street festivals in Germany and the whole Europe. The heart of the event begins on Weiberfastnacht, Thursday before Ash Wednesday in the early morning. The festivities take place at Alter Market, where hundreds of vibrantly dressed party goers enjoy the opening ceremony to the street carnival.

The ceremony usually takes place at 11 am and involves the mayor and three traditional characters, Jungfrau, Prinz, and Bauer. Also known as Women’s Carnival Day, Weiberfastnacht brings out many women, ready to cut the men's scissors and offer up Butzie (kisses).

On Friday, you can unwind in the first part of the day and come to the Alter Markt and Heumarkt at around 4 pm. Here, visitors have a chance to witness numerous carnival groups, family-friendly entertainment until 9 pm, and live music performances. Carnival Saturday is the perfect time to enjoy the Funkenbiwak event on Neumarkt, where you can taste some traditional treats, like Erbsensuppe (pea soup) and Kölsch (local beer). There is also an annual ghost parade on Saturday evening.

Carnival Sunday features a famous family-friendly parade, with lots of schools participating, followed by a massive Rosenmontag parade on Monday. On Violet Tuesday, numerous Nubbels, straw puppets, are burned throughout Cologne, symbolizing all the sins committed during the carnival. The biggest bonfires are set up in the old town, Nippes, the student district, Kwartier Latäng, and Südstad. Ash Wednesday celebrations are significantly more solemn, culminating in ash cross marking and a traditional fish dinner.

Rosenmontag (Rose Monday) Parade (March 3, 2025)

The large carnival parade on Shrove or Rose Monday normally begins at 10-10:30 am near the Severinstor city gate located in the southern part of Cologne, namely at the Chlodwigplatz. It winds through the city, passing by the Neumarkt and ends at Mohrenstraße. The front rows are reserved for kids.

Parade also features many colorful floats, and participants are throwing "Strüßjer" (flowers) and "Kamelle" (sweets) into crowds of spectators, so don't be surprised if a chocolate box or a bottle of Eau de Cologne will fly your way. Consider arriving earlier to find a good viewing spot, but remember that standing near the Basilica of St. Severin is not recommended, since many last-minute attendees flock there.

Fasching, Karneval and Fastnacht in Germany

Besides Cologne Carnival, you can always enjoy the Mardi Gras-esque celebrations in other locations in Germany. Known by different names depending on the region, German carnivals bring a flair of excitement and fun to the otherwise gloomy days of January and February. The pre-Lent celebrations unfold in Munich, Rottweil, and Braunschweig.