Explore Cologne Carnival: Traditions, Parades, And Parties

The Cologne Carnival, or Kölner Karneval, is a celebration that takes place annually in Cologne, Germany. It is one of the best parties in Europe, attracting over 2 million visitors each year. The carnival is a week-long street festival that takes place between Fat Thursday (Weiberfastnacht) and Ash Wednesday (Aschermittwoch). The festivities include street parades, people dressing up in costumes and masks, and partying in bars and in the streets. The highlight of the carnival is Rose Monday (Rosenmontag), when over 1 million people come to the city to celebrate.

Wear a costume

Wearing a costume is an essential part of the Cologne Carnival experience. The festival is a chance for people to express their creativity and individuality through their choice of outfit. While the costumes are often humorous and colourful, they can also be elaborate and historical.

If you're planning to attend the Cologne Carnival, it's important to embrace the spirit of the event and come dressed up. A costume is not just recommended, but expected. You can go as simple or as extravagant as you like, with options ranging from a wig or hat to a handmade group costume. The most common costume is a jecke, or clown, but you can also dress up as a cowboy, animal, pirate, or historical figure. Get creative and let your unique personality shine through!

The colours red and white are especially significant during the Cologne Carnival, as they are the colours of the city. You'll see many people dressed in red and white striped clothing, resembling "Where's Waldo". Another option is to represent the carnival's motto, "Jede Jeck es anders" or "Every fool is different", through your costume. This could mean dressing up as a funny animal, fantasy creature, or a punny pair, like "salt and pepper".

If you're looking for something more whimsical, you can transform into a walking, talking sweet treat, a living artwork, or even a giant banana—a nod to the Colognian street artist Thomas Baumgärtel. You can also assemble a squad of superheroes or channel your inner wizard or witch. No matter what you choose, remember to have fun and let your imagination run wild!

In addition to individual costumes, each Karnevalsverein, or carnival cooperative, has its own colours and uniform. These groups are similar to fraternities or sororities and play a fundamental role in the social structure of the city. Their traditional costumes are usually something like a band or military uniform, often with a silly hat. So, if you're looking to join a Karnevalsverein during the carnival, be sure to don their colours and uniform to show your affiliation.

Learn the local lingo

The Cologne Carnival is known as "Kölner Karneval" in German. The festival is a week-long celebration that takes place annually in the streets of Cologne, Germany. The carnival is a significant event in the city, attracting over 2 million visitors each year.

• "Kölle Alaaf!" – This is the unofficial slogan of the carnival and is derived from a medieval toast, "All ab," meaning "Cologne Alone" or "Cologne Above All Else." It is a declaration of love and pride for the city and will be heard throughout the festivities.
• "Kamelle!" – If you want free candy during the parades, shout this word, and you will be showered with sweets.
• "Strüsjer!" – Want some flowers to go with your candy? Yell this during the parades, and you will be given free flowers.
• "Jeck" – Each person celebrating the carnival is known as a "Jeck," which means "fool." It embraces the playful and silly spirit of the festival.
• "Glasverbot" – This term refers to the ban on glass containers or bottles in the city centre during the carnival. You will see signs reminding you of this rule, so it's important to be aware and follow the guidelines.
• "Bützje" – These are friendly pecks on the cheek, a traditional part of the carnival culture. It is not a form of flirting but rather a customary expression during the festivities.
• "Kölsch" – This is the local beer of Cologne, and it plays a significant role in the carnival celebrations. It is served in small, narrow 0.2L glasses called "Stange", and servers called "Köbe" will keep bringing you refills until you place your coaster on your glass to signal you're done.
• "Dreigestirn" – This translates to "triumvirate" and refers to the three people granted the titles of "Jungfrau" (maiden), "Prinz" (prince), and "Bauer" (peasant) during the carnival. These characters are like mascots and embody the spirit of the festival.
• "Nubbel" – The "Nubbel" is a straw doll or scarecrow-like figure that serves as a scapegoat for all the transgressions committed during the carnival. It is burned at the end of the festivities in a ceremony called "Nubbelverbrennung" or "Nubbel burning."
• "Weiberfastnacht" – This is the first day of the carnival and is also known as "Fat Thursday." It is a day for women, who traditionally cut men's neckties and receive little kisses, or "Bützchen", in return.
• "Rosenmontag" – This translates to "Rose Monday" and is considered the highlight of the carnival. It features a grand parade with floats, marching bands, and participants in elaborate costumes.
• "Veilchendienstag" – This is the last day of the carnival, also known as "Violet Tuesday" or "Shrove Tuesday." It is the day when the Nubbel is burned, marking the end of the festivities before Ash Wednesday.

So, there you have it! Now you know the local lingo and are ready to fully immerse yourself in the vibrant and joyful atmosphere of the Cologne Carnival.

Plan your route

The Cologne Carnival is a week-long series of street parties, parades and special events. The festivities kick off on Thursday, with the main opening ceremony taking place on the Alter Markt (Old Market) square in the morning. This is also where the closing ceremony, the Nubbelverbrennung, or burning of the Nubbel, takes place on the Tuesday night.

The Alter Markt is in the heart of the Old Town, which is the main hub of the celebrations. This is where you'll find the most action, with spontaneous street parties and performances taking place on every corner. If you're looking for a quieter spot, head to the Belgian Quarter, which is within walking distance of the Old Town.

On Friday, the Sternmarsch (Star March) takes place in the early evening, with revellers marching from the city's main squares (Heumarkt, Laurenzplatz, Bollwerk and Eisenmarkt) to the Alter Markt.

On Saturday, the Funkenbiwak takes place on the Neumarkt (New Market). This is organised by the Roten Funken, the oldest carnival group in the city. There are also smaller, local parades in the various neighbourhoods on Saturday.

The main event on Sunday is the Schull- und Veedelszöch, a mini version of the Rose Monday parade, with dozens of school and community groups taking part.

On Monday, the famous Rose Monday parade takes place. This is the highlight of the carnival, with over 10,000 participants in elaborate costumes, marching bands and beautifully designed floats. The parade route winds its way through the city centre, covering a distance of around 8km.

On Tuesday, the last day of the carnival, the biggest neighbourhood parades march through Nippes, Ehrenfeld and Mülheim.

Know the history

The Carnival in Cologne, or "Kölner Karneval" as it is known locally, is a celebration that goes back to the Middle Ages. Back then, it was a chance for the people of Cologne to indulge in rich food and wine before the fasting period of Lent. The name "Carnival" comes from the Latin "carne vale", meaning "farewell to meat".

Over time, the festival became more excessive, and by 1341, the city council stopped funding it. However, the locals continued to celebrate, taking the party to the streets and squares of the city.

In the 18th century, inspired by the Venetian masquerade balls, the upper classes organised costume balls and events. When the French came to power, they put a stop to the street celebrations, but when the Prussians took over, they revived the tradition.

In 1823, the inception of the Cologne Carnival Committee brought structure to the Carnival and implemented a set of ground rules to organise the many events. The figurehead of the festival, "Held Karneval", led the public through the festivities. This was the predecessor of today's "Prinz Karneval", who leads the Rose Monday parade.

The Carnival has continued to grow over the years, with millions of people now attending the five-day celebration. It is considered the single most important festival in Cologne and is an expression of joy and pride in the city.

Join the parades

The parades are the highlight of the Cologne Carnival. Known as the "fifth season" in the Rhineland area, the Carnival is a week-long series of street parties, parades, and special events that attract over 2 million visitors each year. The main parade day, known as Rosenmontag (Rose Monday), sees over 1 million people flock to the city to celebrate.

The Carnival's parades are a true spectacle of colour, history, and tradition. With a route spanning around 8 kilometres through the city's historic old town, the Rosenmontag parade features marching bands, dancers, and floats that use dark humour and tongue-in-cheek jokes to caricature politicians and comment on current events. It is considered one of the largest parades in Germany and is the climax of the Carnival. Over 200 floats, wagons, trailers, and cars participate in the parade, with approximately 13,000 people marching along. The parade is led by the "Blaue Funken", a traditional Cologne group.

During the parade, it is tradition for participants to throw candy, known as "kamelle", and flowers, known as "Strüssjer", to the crowd. It is estimated that around 300 metric tons of candy and 300,000 flowers are given out during the Rosenmontag parade each year.

In addition to the main parade, there are also numerous smaller parades and processions that take place in the city's neighbourhoods and school districts. These include the famous "Geisterzug", or "ghost parade", held on the Saturday evening before Carnival, and the "Schull- und Veedelszöch" (Schul- und Stadtteilzüge), a mini version of the Rose Monday parade organised by schools and smaller community groups.

If you want to join the parades, be sure to don a colourful and creative costume, as this is an essential part of the Carnival. The wilder, the better! Whether you choose to dress up as a historical figure, a funny animal, or a fantasy creature, the key is to let your unique personality shine through.

So, if you're looking for a fun and festive experience, join the parades at the Cologne Carnival! With its lively atmosphere, friendly spirit, and endless sweets, you're sure to have a memorable time.

Frequently asked questions