2. When is it Celebrated?

Karneval is nicknamed “The 5th Season” in Germany and starts on 11.11 at 11:11am and lasts until Ash Wednesday
(which is in February or March of the following year).

In Germany, the core time of the Karneval season are the two (2) weeks before Ash Wednesday. Some areas of
Germany will basically shut down during the last week before Ash Wednesday – where people will party for
4-5 days in a row at street parties, bars, events, and in their homes.

On Rosenmontag (the Monday before Ash Wednesday) in the City of Köln (Cologne), over 1.5 million people
will turn out to celebrate and to watch the 3 mile long Karneval parade. That same day, one could travel away
from Köln and find other cities where 200,000 – 500,000 people have turned out for festivities in a particular
city. The fact is Karneval is THE BIG EVENT during winter time in Germany (source).

 

 

Karneval is a time of wild celebrations, and the western part of Germany especially (North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate), is famous for Karneval celebrations with parades and costume balls and hand-made costumes, and pranks of all sorts!

Here in North America the events are usually dances featuring Costume Parties or Fancy Dressed Galas (or both, like GAMGA) and sometimes with special themes depending on what club you attend (Find a Club Near You).

The program will have a series of formal steps, like marching in of the Elferrat and the royalties, greetings of guests and giving medals to honorees. But this is mixed with jokes and dance performances that often even involve the audience. The music is a collection of fun Oktoberfest & Karneval party songs with a healthy dose of other music we all love to dance too.

The important part is you, the friends you bring, and perhaps a designated driver! Everything will be over by the next morning, and often you won’t leave until then. The evening, costumes, dancing and drinks, are meant to celebrate and enjoy the craziness and freedom of that night. You are certainly encouraged to dance – even if you can’t (you won’t be alone!) – Enjoy, this is Karneval!!! (source).

 

Royalties-most areas have “royals” that reign over the city during the Karneval season.

The Prinz and Prinzessin (Prince and Princess)

Karneval in Cologne is under the reign of a Dreigestirn, consisting of the Prince, the Bauer and the Jungfrau.

The royals are surrounded by MANY “supporters” that have various functions (usually in a funny way)., e.g. there is a Prinzengarde (guard of the prince) – whose only task is to dance.

Elferrat–the “committee of 11” are basically the organizers of the events. The Elferrat wears distinctive uniforms and – especially important – ”funny” hats.

Orden (medals) – every Karneval Club creates its own medal for each season.

Performances: Show dance performances during the events – Some performances can be really artistic while others are just slapstick. The performers are all amateurs, only performing during the season (but practicing all year long!).

Costume Contests. You can’t have a Mardi Gras party without costumes!