Feature

Cologne Carnival

The fifth season: how Cologne turns into the carnival capital between 11 November and Ash Wednesday.

Cologne Carnival is the city's biggest festival and, for many, the heart of Rhenish joie de vivre. The season starts on 11 November at 11:11 a.m. and peaks during the 'crazy days' in February: from Women's Carnival through the Rose Monday parade to Ash Wednesday. Here you can learn what happens when, who the Dreigestirn are, what the calls and thrown treats mean, and where it all comes from.

11.11.→Ash Wednesday· The fifth season starts on 11 Nov at 11:11; the street carnival peaks during the crazy days in February/March.

The Rose Monday parade in numbers

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parade route (approx.): 0Mio.
spectators (estimated): 0t
sweets & flowers thrown (approx.): 0
parade participants (approx.)

The season at a glance

Do
Women's Carnival (Thursday)
Start of the street carnival: it kicks off at 11:11 on the Alter Markt; ties are traditionally cut off.
Weiberfastnacht →
Fr/Sa
Carnival Friday & Saturday
Sessions, balls and the first neighbourhood parades.
So
Carnival Sunday
The schools' and neighbourhoods' parade, often a dress rehearsal for Rose Monday.
Mo
Rose Monday
The highlight: the great Rose Monday parade rolls through the city with floats, music and tons of sweets.
Cologne Rose Monday Parade →
Di
Shrove Tuesday
Wind-down in the neighbourhoods; in the evening the Nubbel (a straw figure) is burned to atone for the season's sins.
Mi
Ash Wednesday
On Ash Wednesday it's all over: the end of the season, traditionally marked with a fish meal.

Customs & highlights

The Dreigestirn

Prince, Peasant and Maiden are the trio that reigns over the season – traditionally all three played by men.

Kölner Dreigestirn →

Funkenmariechen & traditional corps

The dancing Mariechen and the historic 'Funken' corps parody the Prussian military – with dance, uniforms and wit.

Sessions & the Büttenrede

At the carnival sessions, speakers deliver their humorous 'Büttenreden' between sets by the Cologne bands.

Ghost parade & Stunksitzung

Alongside the official carnival there is the alternative, political one: the nocturnal ghost parade and the satirical Stunksitzung.

Kölle Alaaf & co.

Kölle Alaaf

Cologne's carnival cheer – roughly: Cologne above all!

Alaaf

Short form of the cheer, often shouted three times.

Carnival words

Kamelle – sweets thrown from the floats

Strüßjer – small flower bouquets thrown as gifts

Bützje – little kisses – handed out generously at carnival

Jeck – a fool/reveller; jeck = crazy (in the best sense)

Nubbel – straw figure burned on Shrove Tuesday