Experience Karneval In Cologne: Dates And Highlights

Karneval in Cologne, Germany, is an annual celebration that attracts millions of visitors to the city. Known as the Kölner Karneval, it is a carnival that takes place every year, with the official season beginning on the 11th of November at 11:11 am. The main events occur in the days leading up to Shrove Tuesday (also known as Fat Tuesday), which is the day before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. The exact dates vary each year, typically happening between mid-February and early March.

The Cologne Carnival is a week-long party with street parades, people dressing up in costumes and masks, and partying in bars and streets all over Cologne. It is considered the biggest thing in the city and the single most important festival, with a rich history and traditions.

The 'fifth season'

The fifth season, also known as Karneval, is a magical time in Cologne, Germany, where the city comes alive with colour, history and tradition. It is a time of merriment and celebration, attracting millions of visitors each year. Here is everything you need to know about this spectacular event.

The History of Karneval

Karneval in Cologne has a long and fascinating history that dates back to the Middle Ages. During this time, the people of Cologne sought a respite from the harsh winter and found it in Carnival. It became a time to indulge in rich foods and celebrations before the somber fasting days of Lent. Over time, it evolved into the grand party that it is today, with a rich history spanning centuries.

The Dates of Karneval

The fifth season officially begins on the 11th of November at 11 minutes past 11 am. However, the main festivities occur in the days leading up to Shrove Tuesday, also known as Fat Tuesday, and end on Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of Lent. As the Christian calendar follows the lunar cycle, the exact dates vary each year, usually falling between mid-February and early March.

The Traditions of Karneval

Karneval is a time of unique and fun traditions that are an integral part of the festivities. Here are some of the most important ones:

• Cheering: During Karneval, you will often hear people shouting "Kölle Alaaf!", which translates to 'Cologne Above All Else'. It is the unofficial slogan of the festival and is heard everywhere, from bars to streets to trains.
• Costumes: Karneval is a time when everyone dresses up in creative and colourful costumes. The most common costume is a jecke (clown), but people wear all sorts of outfits, from multi-coloured wigs to animal jumpsuits. Red and white are the traditional colours of Cologne, so expect to see a lot of stripes!
• Parades: The Rose Monday Parade is the highlight of Karneval, with over 10,000 participants in elaborate costumes, marching bands and beautifully designed floats. It attracts more than a million people and is considered one of the largest parades in Germany.
• Music: Each year, local bands dedicate songs specifically to Karneval, with new music being released annually. These songs are played all over the city during the festivities, with people singing and dancing along.
• Dreigestirn: The Dreigestirn, or 'triumvirate', are the leaders of Karneval. They consist of a prince, a peasant and a maiden, all traditionally played by men. They attend all the major events and embody the spirit of Karneval with their pompous costumes.

The Spirit of Karneval

More than just a festival, Karneval is an expression of joy and pride for the people of Cologne. It is a time when the whole city comes together to celebrate, have fun and meet new people. The atmosphere is friendly and inclusive, with a unique blend of organised events and spontaneous celebrations. From fancy balls to street parties, Karneval has something for everyone.

The official start

The carnival season temporarily pauses during the Advent and Christmas period and picks up again after Epiphany (6 January) in the New Year. The street carnival, also known as "the crazy days", takes place in the week before Lent and is what attracts millions of partygoers to Cologne each year.

The time of merrymaking in the streets is officially declared open at downtown square "Alter Markt" on the Thursday before Lent, known as "Weiberfastnacht" or "Fat Thursday". This is considered the official start of the street carnival and the day when costumed revellers, known as "jecken", flood the streets. The main opening ceremony takes place at 11:11 am, with the figureheads of the carnival, the "Dreigestirn" (a prince, a peasant, and a maiden), present to kick off the festivities.

The carnival spirit is strong in Cologne, with residents eagerly anticipating and planning for the celebrations. The carnival is a significant event in the city, with many shops, schools, and offices closing from Thursday through Tuesday, indicating the importance of the festivities to the local community.

The Dreigestirn

The carnival prince, also called "Seine Tollität" (His Madness), is the most important personage of the carnival. He is deemed the highest representative of the festivities and leads the main parades throughout the week. His float is the final one in the large parade on Shrove Monday. The prince's attributes include a crown with a peacock tail, a golden chain, a girdle with glitzy stones, white undershorts, and a purple jacket. He also carries a sceptre in his right hand and a slapstick in his left. The slapstick is a symbol of the fool but also of fertility and the prince's reign over his people during the carnival.

The peasant, or "Seine Deftigkeit" (His Heftyness), symbolises the boldness of the old privileged imperial city of Cologne. He carries a sword and a flail, symbolising his loyalty to the empire and his truthfulness. As the keeper of the city, he also carries the city keys at his girdle. The key symbolises the heroes of the city militia contingent in the Battle of Worringen in AD 1288, after which Cologne achieved independence from the archbishop.

The maiden, or "Ihre Lieblichkeit" (Her Loveliness), is traditionally played by a man. Beards and moustaches are forbidden for this role. The maiden wears a mural crown, symbolising the "defender" crown of the Roman empress Agrippina, who was born in the city in AD 15. The maiden also carries a hand mirror, symbolising "female vanity". Her Roman dress is a reminder of Agrippina, wife of Emperor Claudius, who succeeded in getting the city renamed as Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium (CCAA) by AD 50.

Costumes

If there is one thing that you absolutely need for Carnival in Cologne, it is a costume. A costume is essential. This is an event where everyone (and I mean everyone) dresses up. Locals will have a box of costumes in their house for the occasion, rotating through previous costumes or switching with friends.

Cologne natives won't stand for boring costumes. Real Jecks (those celebrating Carnival in Cologne) can be recognised by their imaginative, homemade costumes. At Carnival, there's no such thing as being overdressed. By consensus, a hat is the absolute minimum you are expected to wear. When decorating it, let your imagination run free — the weirder, the better.

The costumes usually aren't sexy like you might find at Halloween, but rather, crazy or creative. The most common costume is a jecke (or clown). You will notice plenty of multi-coloured wigs, cowboys, tutu skirts, animal jumpsuits and pirate costumes.

Red and white are the colours of Cologne, so you'll see lots of people dressed in striped red and white clothing.

Each Karnevalsverein (a group of people who meet regularly and represent their clubs) has its own colour, such as blue and yellow, or green and red, as well as its own uniform. They are all slightly different but will look something like a band uniform or a military uniform.

The Rose Monday Parade

The typical materials thrown from the floats include "Strüßjer" (bunches of flowers) and "Kamelle" (sweets), as well as chocolate, bottles of Eau de Cologne, and other small gifts. In 2020, an estimated 350 tonnes of sweets and 300,000 flowers were distributed during the parade. The floats themselves are also a highlight, often featuring satirical depictions of current political and social themes with dark humour and jokes.

The Carnival Prince, known as "Seine Tollität" (His Madness), leads the main parades throughout the week and is the most important personage of the festivities. His float is always the final one in the large parade on Rose Monday. The Carnival is a significant event in Cologne, with the city coming alive with enthusiasm and energy. It is considered the single most important festival in the city, attracting over 2 million visitors annually.

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