Events, Festivals and Exhibitions

The Cologne Carnival, Fastelovend or ‘Fasteleer’ in the local dialect is one of the biggest street carnivals in Europe. The Carnival will be from 16 to 22 February, 2023.

Officially, the Carnival officially commences on the 11^th minute of the 11^th day of the 11^th month the previous year, when the Carnival’s triumvirate of rulers — the Prince, the Maiden and the Peasant present themselves to the public alongside performances by musicians at the Alter Markt before thousands of spectators.

It is then suspended until after Advent and Christmas, recommencing with Women’s Carnival Day.

Festivities abound throughout the Crazy Days – some official and some independently organised – in bars, restaurants and community centres throughout this stunning, medieval city, first formed in the fourteenth century. Masquerading locals, known as ‘Jecken’ take great pride in their outfits and endeavour to make them as bizarre as possible. Organisers and participants alike maintain that it more than equals the Oktoberfest.

Origins of the Cologne Carnival

The Carnival is reported as starting in the Middle Ages, when the Winter Solstice was celebrated by German tribes getting together to pay tribute to their gods and to get rid of winter demons. This celebration was subsequently taken over by Christians.

The Cologne Carnival was founded in 1823 by the Cologne Carnival Celebration Committee. On 10 February, 1823 the idea of the carnival hero was devised and the enthroned prince was paraded on the first Rose Monday. Two other characters introduced were the maiden – traditionally a man dressed as a woman – and the peasant.

Cologne Carnival 2023 Schedule

On Thursday, 16 February, 2023, Weiberfastnacht (Woman’s Carnival Day) follows the official opening of the Carnival at 11.11am by the Mayor of Cologne. The following day, Carnival Friday is quieter in terms of parades but plenty of other events take place including balls and side shows.

On Saturday, 18 February there is a carnival lunch, followed by the Ghost Parade in the evening with various themes and ghostly images. On Carnival Sunday, the school children and some of the neighbourhoods parade in carnival attire, the idea being that the carnival is for all Cologne residents.

Rose Monday is the highlight of the carnival with floats parading through the city from 10am, the participants blow kisses and throw flowers to the large, revelling crowds. The prince traditionally is in the last float.

On the Tuesday, a straw figure called the Nubbel is burned at midnight. The Carnival concludes on Ash Wednesday when churchgoers receive a cross of ashes on their foreheads before a traditional fish dinner.

Kolle Alaafi

Everything goes in this colourful and engaging carnival with people dressed in wigs, unusual costumes and masks, some with body paint. It is the tradition for the crowds to call out “Kolle Alaafi” which translates as “Cologne above all”.

Things to Do in Cologne

If you can drag yourself away from the plethora of activities, not to mention the street food and the beer and schnapps, try to look at some of the historic sites of Cologne, such as the Cologne Cathedral, the historic old town, the Chocolate Factory or take a leisurely cruise on the Rhine for Sunday Brunch. For more ideas on things to do in Cologne, click here.

When is the Cologne Carnival 2023

The Carnival will be from 16 to 22 February, although it is not clear whether it will go ahead. Further details can be found here.

Can’t make this carnival, then try our round-up of the best carnivals around the world.

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Cologne Carnival Photo Gallery

More information on the Cologne Carnival

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