What You Need to Know About Karneval in Germany

Hi there! How are things in your part of the world lately? This past week in our corner of Germany we have started seeing a change in the weather. Sure, this winter hasn’t been too extreme. But it’s still been, you know, cold.

This week though? Amazing colours at sunrise of golds, pinks, purples and blues. More sun and blue sky throughout the day. We even had unseasonably warm temperatures hovering around the mid-teens (that’s Celsius, for you North American types!). The plants are covered in leaf buds. The early bloomers like snowdrops and crocuses are on display. Some of the other bulbs are heavy with flower buds waiting for the weather to warm up just that little bit more. Spring is definitely on it’s way. Hallelujah!

However, the main excitement around these parts at the moment is Karneval. And by “around these parts” I mean in many regions of Germany and specifically the kids in our house 😉. The other week I even posted about how to sew a Hulk costume in time for Karneval this year. Karneval fever is well and truly alive!

But what? You haven’t heard of Karneval?

I didn’t really elaborate too much in the last post, it’s true. Well, let me try to explain a little. Depending on how hardcore you are about it and whether you are in a Karneval club or not, Karneval may be seen as either:

a) only the big loud street parade that occurs in February or March and blocks off the city streets, or

b) the 5^th season of the year that you may already start celebrating from the 11^th November the previous year!

However much you are or aren’t into it, Karneval is essentially the big bang celebration right before the start of the more sombre 40 days of Lent, which in turn leads up to the Christian Easter holiday.

Karneval, Carnival, Carnaval, Mardi Gras, or whichever name takes your fancy, is obviously not exclusive to Germany. Many European and South American countries, as well as parts of the United States, Carribean, and even Africa celebrate this festival. One place that does not celebrate the festival of Karneval, however, is my old home, Australia. Strange, hey?

If you have never ever seen a Karneval celebration (such as if you are an expat in a new place) you will definitely recognise that something is going on by the sudden appearance of costumed people appearing around town.

One of the first celebrations that an outsider may notice is on the Thursday before Lent, the “Weiberfastnacht”. This is a day for the ladies, when they “hold the power”, so to say. Many women start celebrating around midday, with costumes, food, alcohol and dancing.

Men beware! Especially expat men who maybe don’t know better!!! On this day women are allowed to kiss and/or cut off the tie of any man they come across! Most men have long clued onto this and choose to wear their dodgiest tie on the day, knowing full well it will not come home whole. I personally haven’t been out to celebrate Weiberfastnacht during my time here in Germany but I can imagine for some people the day ends in a pretty messy and sorry state!

In the many cities of Germany where Karneval is celebrated, over the weekend before Lent thousands (even hundreds of thousands) of people line the streets to watch the colourful parade of marching bands, dancers, costumed club members and enormous, colourful floats (creatively-decorated trucks/cars/tractors) booming out almost unbearably-loud music.

Not only the people marching in the parade are in costumes, but the majority of people watching too. Especially- but not only- the children! For weeks beforehand you can spend as much money as your wallet (and conscience!) will allow, buying the perfect Batman/ Shower Cubicle/ Elsa/ Genie etc costume for yourself or your little ones. Don’t believe me? Just search “Karneval costume” online and see what photos you find. It’s worth a look just for the laughs, trust me! Alternatively, you could sew something yourself, like this awesome Hulk costume 😉.

Of course one of the highlights of the parade, aside from the fun of dressing up is the tons (I am not exaggerating! Literally TONS! in Cologne, for example, approximately 300 tons!!!) of chocolates and sweets tossed by the performers out to the crowds. All kids love catching and collecting the goodies thrown about from the parade. And so do the adults. I jest not, when I say that I have seen grown adults snatch a lolly from off the ground directly in front of a much smaller hand!

Insider tip for newbies and their kids: take a bag to collect the sweets in!! You will potentially collect so many that you cannot possibly carry them in your hands or pockets anymore 😉.

And as a final insider tip: as the saying goes, when in Rome do as the Romans do when in Germany do as the Germans do. When the parade comes along and everyone is cheering and dancing, be sure to join in the noise by yelling your own “Helau!” and grab yourself some of the sweet goodies as they come flying by!

If you have never experienced Karneval somewhere in the world, you really should add it to your bucket list. If this year you get to experience your first ever Karneval in Germany (or anywhere) it will probably be a real eye-opener for you! But I am sure you will have so much fun that it won’t be your last 😉.

Our three children will be dressed this year as Hermoine, a butterfly, and the Hulk.  Will you be going to a Karneval parade this year? Will you be dressing up? Tell me about your plans and costume in the comments section below!