The Best Locations To Celebrate Carnival In Germany

In Germany’s Rhineland, carnival season lasts for four months . So if you’re looking to celebrate the German way, with kisses, beer, parades, and more beer, then check out our list of carnival cities.

Cologne

Carnival, here, is a four-month celebration that begins at 11 minutes past 11 o’clock on the 11th day of the 11th month. The craziness begins on Thursday, when women scour the streets, cutting off men’s ties, and peaks on Rosenmontag (Rose Monday) with parades, parties, kissing and plenty of boozing at the Alter Markt.

Düsseldorf

Rivaling Cologne in literally everything from soccer to beer, it’s no surprise Düsseldorf seeks to top its neighbour in carnival celebrations too. Unlike Cologne’s romantic, traditionalist approach, DD goes straight for scathing, with political floats like the one picture, of Donald Trump screaming, “Make Fascism Great Again.” Festivities begin when the Hoppeditz awakens on November 11 and concludes on Rosenmontag with the famous political parade and a jaunt through the Alt Stadt, also known as the longest bar in the world.

Mainz

Those thinking carnival is too focused on booze and not enough on class need to head to the Määnzer Fassenacht, which is an exhibition in pure, posh fun. Focused on political and literary humor, Mainz adds a bit of sophistication to Carnival. And what says ‘class’ more than a parody of Adolphe Adams’s opera, Le Brasseur de Preston?

Aachen

Who’d have thought the City of Charlemagne held such contempt for the military? At least, that appears to be the case during carnival. Aachen’s celebration has historically focussed on poking fun at the men in uniform. Though, in recent years, it’s fallen out of fashion but the city still joins in with some cheeky ridicule. The motto here is, “Spass an der Freud” (have fun with joy in your heart).

Münster

Not known for partying, Münster musters a damn good bash for carnival. In fact, it’s so good neighbours from the Netherlands have been showing up en masse to celebrate the 110-year-old Münster tradition. Like every German carnival, the highlight occurs on Rosenmontag, during which over one-hundred colourful floats paint the city centre.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.