Cologne Carnival

About Cologne Carnival

Cologne Carnival (Kölner Karneval) is one of the largest and most vibrant street festivals in Europe, transforming the city into a colorful celebration of music, costumes, and merriment. The carnival season officially begins on November 11th at 11:11 AM, but the main celebrations occur during the week leading up to Ash Wednesday, known as "the crazy days" (die tollen Tage).

The highlight of Cologne Carnival is Rose Monday (Rosenmontag), featuring the famous Rose Monday Parade (Rosenmontagszug) with elaborate floats, marching bands, and thousands of participants throwing candies and small gifts to spectators. The parade route stretches for kilometers through the city center, attracting over one million visitors.

Traditional carnival sessions (Sitzungen) begin in January, featuring comedy acts, speeches, and music performances in the local dialect (Kölsch). Participants often wear colorful costumes and gather in beer halls and venues throughout the city. The carnival also features numerous smaller neighborhood parades and street parties.

Key carnival traditions include: - Shouting "Alaaf!" (the Cologne carnival cry) - Wearing elaborate costumes and masks - Traditional carnival songs and dances - The Dreigestirn (triumvirate) of Prinz, Bauer, and Jungfrau who rule the carnival

Cologne Carnival has roots dating back to Roman times and represents one of Germany's most important cultural celebrations, showcasing the city's humor, creativity, and community spirit.