In 2024, Germany gears up for another year of vibrant Fasching and Karneval celebrations. These carnivals, brimming with history and quirks, invite you to a world of festivity and joy.
And with Trainline, your journey through Germany’s carnival hotspots are both effortless and greener.
Image Credit: Getty Images, rolfo. Image Location: Bavaria, Germany
What is Fasching and Karneval?
Fasching and Karneval are Germany’s high-energy takes on Mardi Gras, marking the lead-up to Lent with dazzling parades, masquerades, and street fiestas. It’s a time when Germans let loose before the traditional period of religious observance.
When is Fasching in Germany in 2024?
In Germany, the height of the Fasching celebrations occurs in the week leading up to Ash Wednesday (Feb. 14, 2024).
For the year 2024, this lively and colorful time, also called Faschingswoche or Carnival Week, is set to take place from Thursday, Feb. 8, until Violet Tuesday (or Shrove Tuesday), Feb. 13.
What’s the difference between Fasching, Karneval, and Fastnacht in Germany?
The terms Karneval, Fasching, and Fastnacht refer to the pre-Lenten festivities across Germany, but their usage varies by region.
- Karneval is primarily used in North Rhine-Westphalia and the Rhineland, with Cologne being a major hub.
- Fasching is the preferred term in southern Germany, including Bavaria and Saxony.
- Fasnacht, or Fas(se)nacht, is commonly used in Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, and Baden-Württemberg.
Despite the different names, these celebrations share a common spirit of revelry and tradition.
Image Credit: Getty Images, David O. Image Location: Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
Cologne Karneval 2024: a city transformed
A riot of color and music
Cologne’s Karneval is legendary. Its beating heart is the Rosenmontag (Rose Monday) parade. Each float is a masterpiece, often carrying satirical themes that mirror current events (all while keeping the mood light and festive).
Beyond the parade, the entire city embraces the carnival spirit. From elaborate masquerade balls to spontaneous street parties, Cologne during Karneval is a place where anyone can do anything! (Well, pretty much…)
Whether you’re dancing in the streets of the Altstadt (Old Town) or enjoying a Kölsch beer in a cozy pub, Cologne Karneval 2024 is set to be a mix of fun, culture, and community spirit.
Travel made easy
Navigating Cologne during Karneval is a breeze with Trainline. Download our app, book the best tickets, and hop on a train to join the party without the hassle of traffic or parking.
Image Credit: Getty Images, thanyarat07. Image Location: Mainz, Germany
Mainz Fasching 2024: tradition meets satire
Where humor takes center stage
Mainz’s Fasching is where the carnival marries satire, and the parade floats turn political and social commentary into an art form. Here, humor takes the spotlight and invites everyone to chuckle at the lighter side of life’s serious matters.
The city’s masked balls add a dash of intrigue and glamor. Behind elaborate masks, people dance the night away, embracing a world where identities blur, and laughter is the universal language.
In Mainz, Fasching is a friendly reminder that sometimes, the best way to make a point is to wrap it in a joke. Laugh it all off!
Experience the authentic
To fully immerse in Mainz’s Fasching, Trainline offers convenient travel options from Frankfurt, Cologne and other major German cities, ensuring you don’t miss out on the genuine carnival experience.
Image Credit: Getty Images, marako85. Image Location: Düsseldorf, Germany
Düsseldorf Karneval 2024: rolling into tradition
In the quaint district of Niederkassel in Düsseldorf, a tradition known as Tonnenrennen, or barrel racing, takes center stage during the carnival season. This event, deeply rooted in local history, has been a part of the community long before its official documentation.
Originally known as Wurstmontag (Sausage Monday), celebrated on the Monday before Carnival, it was first reported in the Neußer newspaper in 1880. On this day, groups of young locals, not from the upper echelons of society, would parade through the village in wild costumes, while jamming out on random instruments. And you know what? That kind of fun still vibes with the locals’ upbeat nature.
Tonnenrennen has since evolved into a spectacle of its own, blending the old tradition of merrymaking with the unique challenge of barrel racing. Participants, still dressed in whimsical costumes, prove their skills and bravery as they race barrels through the streets. The crowds go wild, cheering on this quirky yet thrilling competition.
Ride the rails to revelry
To join in the exhilarating Tonnenrennen and experience Düsseldorf’s unique carnival spirit, let Trainline be your gateway. Offering seamless train ticket bookings from cities like Frankfurt and beyond, Trainline ensures your journey to Düsseldorf is as smooth as it is exciting.
Image Credit: Getty Images, travelview. Image Location: Bonn, Germany
Bonn Karneval 2024: a fusion of fun and tradition
The quirky side of carnival in Germany
Bonn Karneval 2024 promises a thrilling blend of fun and tradition, especially during Weiberfastnacht in the Beuel district. This day, an unofficial holiday in the Rhineland, sees workplaces close early, and the celebrations ignite at 11:11 a.m. Unlike Rosenmontag, the focus is less on parades and more on vibrant street and pub festivities.
Beuel, often humorously dubbed the “wrong side” of town, transforms into a hub of jubilation, a veritable “washerwomen’s cauldron,” echoing the legendary 1824 carnival revolt by Beuel’s washerwomen. This unique tradition has been the heart of Bonn-Beuel’s women’s carnival for two centuries now, culminating in the symbolic storming of the Beuel town hall, broadcast live on TV.
The day is filled with quirky customs, like women snipping off men’s ties as a playful gesture of rebellion. In return, the men receive a Bützchen (little kiss) and proudly wear their tie stumps. With around 2,000 participants, the procession from Siegburger Straße to Beuel City Hall is a spectacle, setting the stage for the grand arrival of the Washer Princess.
Discover women’s carnival in Beuel
With the Trainline app, journeying to Bonn is simple. Plan your trip and enjoy the city’s unique take on the carnival season.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Animaflora. Image Location: Germany
Tips for carnival goers
- Dress up. Embrace the carnival spirit by donning a costume. Popular choices include whimsical outfits like clowns, fairies, or historical figures. For a simpler approach, opt for colorful masks, wigs, hats, or face paint.
- Learn local customs. Each city has its traditions; get familiar to enhance your experience. For example, you can enjoy the Tanz der Marktfrauen in Munich, where market women perform traditional dances at the Viktualienmarkt.
- Try traditional foods. Savor the local carnival delicacies like Krapfen (jam-filled doughnuts), Mutzenmandeln (almond pastries), and Mettwurst (spicy sausage).
- Participate in parades. Most cities host grand parades with floats, music, and dancing. Grab a spot early for a good view and be ready to catch the candies (Kamelle) thrown from the floats.
- Learn a few carnival songs. Familiarize yourself with local carnival songs to sing along with the crowd. In cities like Cologne, classic songs like Viva Colonia and Mer losse d’r Dom in Kölle are crowd favorites.
- Understand the greetings. Each region has its unique greeting during carnival. For instance, in Cologne, it’s Alaaf, while in Düsseldorf, you’ll hear Helau.
Embracing Germany’s carnival scene with Trainline
Whether you’re hopping between Germany’s carnival cities or exploring one Fasching destination, Trainline is your eco-friendly travel companion. Gear up for Fasching and Karneval in 2024, where Germany’s character really comes alive. Get your e-tickets, bags, and costumes ready!
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, itakefotos4u. Image Location: Germany