Cologne Carnival

In Cologne the carnival does not start in February. The new session opens on 11 November, and the 2026 opening was held at the Tanzbrunnen. But the days that matter, the "crazy days", are the six at the end, and in 2027 they run from Thursday 4 February to Tuesday 9 February.

The first day is Weiberfastnacht, and from that Thursday the street carnival takes over the city. On Friday and Saturday the city's pubs and parties carry on. On Sunday, 7 February, the parades go through the city's districts, and on Rosenmontag, Monday 8 February, comes the peak: the Rosenmontag parade, which the city's tourist portal calls the biggest and most colorful carnival parade in Germany. Floats throw Kamelle, sweets, and Strussjer, small bouquets, to the crowds. On Veilchendienstag, Tuesday 9 February, the last night belongs to the Nubbel, a straw figure that is burned to carry away the sins and mischief of the season. Then, on Ash Wednesday, "alles vorbei": everything is over.

The language is part of it. In Cologne you shout "Alaaf", not "Helau", and "Helau" is not welcome. Bützen, a friendly kiss on the cheek, is customary, but only with mutual consent.

How to go. The dates follow Easter, so they move every year: Easter 2027 is 28 March, which puts Rosenmontag on 8 February. Book your bed early. The tourist portal has information on road closures and on bus and train service during the carnival, and it is worth reading before the parade day. Bring a costume if you like: the festival is built around dressing up.