Cologne Carnival
Ranked #9,631 in Holidays & Celebrations, #165,070 overall
Kölner Karneval
Cologne Carnival is one of the many Mardi Gras festivals around the world, the festivals mark the end of the long winter days and the blossoming of spring. Cologne street carnival, also called "the crazy days", begins with the Women's Carnival Day, which always occurs on the Thursday before, and ends on the Christian, Ash Wednesday. On Women's Carnival Day, ladies run riot through the city streets, cutting in half, the neck-ties of any man they find wearing one! The Monday before Ash Wednesday is the main carnival day in Cologne, and is known as Rose Monday. Pancake Day or Fat Tuesday occurs between Rose Monday (Rosenmontag) and Ash Wednesday.
Photo: J. Badura, Cologne/Festkomitee Kölner Karneval
Photo: J. Badura, Cologne/Festkomitee Kölner Karneval
Photos from Köln
The 2012 carnival motto: "Each jester to their own red nose".
Red noses on Amazon
Children love carnival
A little history
of the Kölner Karneval
Carnival has been celebrated each year in the City of Köln for more than 200 years. Over time, many traditions and customs have emerged to become the hallmark of the traditional Cologne Carnival: numerous indoor parties and balls, and, of course, the street carnival itself, which culminates in the big grand parade on Rose Monday.The Cologne Festival Committee, represents over 100 Cologne carnival associations, and traditional corps, coordinating the festival, and preserving the long tradition of what they call in Köln, the "fifth season".
Party time
2012 Carnival calendar
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Women's Carnival Day, Thursday, 16 February 2012
Official opening of the street carnival at 11:11 hrs at the Alter Markt in the heart of the old town of Cologne. -
Carnival Saturday, 18 February 2012
Traditional "Funkenbiwak", the gathering of the colourful Corps troops at the Neumarkt. -
Carnival Sunday, 19 February 2012
School group parade through the city centre starting at 11:00 hrs. -
Rose Monday, 20 February 2012
The climax of street carnival, with the official parade starting 10:30 hrs.
Last year there were more than 11.000 participants, 500 horses , 128 floats and 123 bands. Around 1.5 m people lined the streets to watch the parade, as sweets, candy, and flowers were thrown from the floats. -
Carnival Tuesday, 21 February 2012 (Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day)
Various Carnival parades in the suburbs of Cologne. -
Ash Wednesday, 22 February 2012
Traditionally, fish dinners are served at pubs and restaurants.
More information on Cologne Carnival
- Official website for Kölner Karneval
- Latest information on Cologne Carnival updated daily
Rosenmontagszug aus Köln 2011
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During Women's Carnival Day in Cologne
Men can get treated to a carnival kiss, but they are also likely to get their ties cut in half!
I just hope that you enjoyed reading about the festival, and will take time to leave some feedback.
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alwaysjules Mar 2, 2012 @ 4:08 pm | delete
- I enjoyed reading your lens in the February Silly Celebrations.
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TheLifestyleChanger
Feb 29, 2012 @ 9:57 pm | delete
- Such fun and colour!
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TheLifestyleChanger
Feb 29, 2012 @ 9:56 pm | delete
- Such fun and colour!
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lasertek
Feb 2, 2012 @ 10:08 pm | delete
- Thanks for sharing.
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The Crazy Days
Cologne Carnival - Kölner Karneval
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