Cologne Carnival

On Thursday before Ash Wednesday, Weiberfastnacht is literally a public holiday in the Rhine region. It is the day the street carnival begins. On Weiberfastnacht in Cologne , the carnival in the cathedral city also goes into the "hot phase". Numerous stages and exuberant fools celebrate all over the city. There is a humid carnival exceptional situation that hardly anyone in the city can escape. Attention gentlemen: it is better not to wear your tie. It is customary for women to cut them off.

The absolute highlight of the largest carnival in Germany is the Rosenmontagszug in Cologne . The “Zoch”, which has been held since 1823, is also the oldest of the great German Monday Monday trains. Hundreds of thousands of spectators come to the Cologne carnival stronghold to marvel at the colorful spectacle of motive cars with political messages, the music bands and funk marieches on the approximately seven and a half kilometer long train path and cheer cheerfully. The tightly packed jackets also try to catch some of the many gifts thrown out of the car. 

The carnival meetings are an important part of the Cologne Carnival. Under the supervision of the so-called "Elferrat", an eleven-member body, handmade speakers and entertainers inspire the carnival guests present in the hall. “Kölle Alaaf” is used to sing, laugh and dance as a typical expression of the proverbial Rhenish cheerfulness. There is also the Children's Carnival in Cologne so that the children can participate in the festivities of the Cologne Carnival in an age-appropriate manner. A wide variety of events are tailored specifically for the little ones and young people. The children's costume festivals and children's sessions are very popular, and the offspring are already growing into the Cologne carnival tradition.