The largest carnival in Germany – Cologne Carnival
28 February – 5 March 2019
Basic Info
When: 28 February – 5 March 2019
Where: Cologne, Germany
Hotels: Hotels in Cologne
Website: cologne.de
Cologne Carnival is one of the biggest and most famous in Germany.
Carnival has been celebrated in Cologne for centuries and today there are over 160 carnival societies, which all organize carnival festivities.
Officially Cologne Carnival kicks off on 11 November at 11:11, but it’s the last five days – the so-called crazy days – that most people think of when talking about Carnival.
Alaaf!
About Cologne Carnival
Anyone who has visited Cologne outside of Carnival time would find the city hard to recognize with the metamorphosis that takes place at this crazy time of year.
There are parties everywhere – in the streets, pubs and publics squares – with everyone dressed in bright costumes.
Your costume will probably be more fun than fancy – it’s worn to keep you warm as much as to show you are joining in the carnival spirit!
Closing times for bars and pubs don’t exist during the festival meaning that a whole lot of fun takes place over these five days.
When raising a glass, forget Prost, the carnival greeting is Alaaf!
It all starts with a day for the ladies – Weiberfastnacht (Shrove Thursday) – where you’ll see women in fancy dress heading for the Alter Markt where Carnival officially opened by the Dreigestirn (the Prince, the Peasant, and the Virgin)
The climax is the parade through the city center on Rose Monday.
It begins at 10:30, travels a route of 6 km, has over 70 decorated floats and takes over 3 hours.
The float participants throw flowers, sweets, and other small gifts to the crowds.
Maybe you’ll catch a bottle of the city’s famous Eau de Cologne.
Getting to Cologne
Cologne is situated on the Rhine in west Germany.
It’s easily accessible by road and train and is serviced by Cologne-Bonn Airport.
The airport is connected to the center of the city with good rail links.
Cologne has a good public transport network of buses, trams, and subway.
Frankfurt and Dusseldorf Airports are alternative options with good rail connections to Cologne.
Hotel Tips
Where to stay during Cologne Carnival?
Carnival is one of the busiest times in Cologne so book as early as you can.
Enjoy local hospitality at the small, family-run hotel, Maritius Komforthotel.
It’s located in the Old Town only minutes walk away from the Dom and the central train station.
Just one of many options as Cologne has over 250 hotels.
More about Cologne
This 2,000-year-old city on the banks of the Rhine River is the country’s oldest city.
It’s most famous landmark is the Cologne Cathedral (the Dom), a twin-spired example of High Gothic architecture.
Much of Cologne was destroyed in World War II and the Old Town you see today has been faithfully rebuilt.
Visit a local “Brauhaus” (brewery) for some hearty German food and wash it down with a “Kolsch” (the local brew).
More carnival events in Europe….
Carnival in Cadiz, Spain, 20 February – 1 March 2020
Cadiz, the big city on Andalucia´s Atlantic coast, can proudly claim to have the oldest carnival celebrations on mainland Spain
Enjoy the famous Venice Carnival 2020. It’s Going on 8 – 25 February
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Sitges Carnaval, Spain. 18 – 26 February 2020
Every year, just before the commencement of Lent, the Barcelona-adjacent seaside resort of Sitges goes absolutely crazy with its carnaval !!
Carnival of Cultures – Berlin Culture Festival, 7 – 10 June 2019
Carnival of Cultures Festival in Berlin takes place every year during the Pentecost weekend, and the main attraction is the big carnival parade on Sunday
Fasnacht in Basel, Switzerland – Monday morning 11 March 2019
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Battle of the Oranges – in Ivrea, Italy 2 – 5 March 2019
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Carnival in Binche, Belgium 3 – 6 March 2019
In 2003 Binche Carnival was recognized by UNESCO as a “masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity”. A unique carnival worth seeing.
Carnival Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 15 February – 10 March 2019
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Europe’s loudest festival ! Las Fallas in Valencia, 15 – 19 March
Known for its lights, gunpowder, traditional costumes, fireworks or music, so visiting Las Fallas and Valencia in middle March is a great travel tip. Las Fallas takes place every year on the dates 15 - 19 March.
Wild street party at Tenerife Carnival, 1 – 10 March 2019
Tenerife gets into the Latin spirit in the weeks before Lent begins, so the start date varies each year. Main celebrations are in the capital city, Santa Cruz – and most events are free.
Lemon Festival in Menton, France 16 February – 3 March 2019
Started in 1933 as a fruit show, the Lemon Festival Menton has grown to be so much more and is now an internationally renowned event, drawing around 160,000 visitors every year.
The beautiful Carnaval in Nice, 16 February – 2 March 2019
Carnaval Parades by day and night; Flower Battles; fireworks and the burning of an enormous King and much more and lot of fun, that's Nice Carnaval
Things to do in Cologne
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