If you love Halloween 🎃, parties 🎉, and parades 🎺, you don't want to miss this! Coming up in February, this is a German cultural experience I highly recommend 💯.
Pertinent Information:
Several major cities hold large festivals and events:
1️⃣ Cologne is considered the #1 city.
2️⃣ Düsseldorf
3️⃣ Mainz
4️⃣ Munich
Other cities of note are Aachen, Frankfurt, Bonn, Würzburg, and Stuttgart! I've even had the Black Forest recommended. Local events will also be held in most smaller villages and cities.
What is Fasching?
Fasching is a festive season marking the period before Lent, leading up to Ash Wednesday 🎊. It typically occurs in January and February, culminating on Shrove/Fat Tuesday (Feb 13th, 2024), the day before Ash Wednesday (February 14th).
It is a time for revelry 🥳, and participants often wear colorful costumes and masks and attend masquerade balls 🎭. Traditional Fasching costumes may include characters from folklore, historical figures, or imaginative and humorous creations. I've seen ALLLL kinds. They don't seem to have the same issues with "cultural appropriation" here (etc.), so as an American, you may be shocked at the costumes you will see 😅. I've seen Native Americans, "gangsters" with giant blow-up guns, and even an "Arab" with a huge gold bling necklace 📿! It is absolutely hilarious. I'm honestly here for it. If you aren't belittling other cultures or wearing garb with specific cultural significance, then it's all in good fun! Plus, remember, this isn't OUR country or culture. Who are WE to judge 🤷♂️!?
Different regions in Germany may have variations of the celebration, and the names for this pre-Lenten period can differ. In some parts of Germany, it's known as Fasching (this is our area), while in others, it may be referred to as Karneval or Fastnacht 💃🍾🎶. Despite the regional differences in names and specific customs, the essence of Fasching remains the same. It is a joyous celebration and festivities before the more solemn Lent begins ✝️.
What Should I Wear?
Choosing a costume for Fasching can be a fun and creative process👘! It's a festive time, and you'll see all kinds of colorful and imaginative costumes 🌈. Below, you'll find examples of popular costume themes:
Traditional German Characters
Fairytale Characters
Animals
Fantasy Creatures
Historical Figures
Superheroes and Villains
Pop Culture Icons
Pirates
Masquerade Ball Attire
Circus Performers
Mime or Harlequin
Movie Characters
Cartoon Characters
Group Costumes
Feel free to be imaginative and express your personality through your costume. Whatever you choose, make sure it's comfortable for dancing and enjoying the festivities 🕺!
Also, warm.
Make sure your costume is warm 🌡️.
It's February, y'all, and the parades and many activities are outdoors 🥶!
Fasching parades are typically held on or around Rose Monday (Rosenmontag), the highlight of the carnival season in Germany 📅.
That's Monday, February 12th this year (2024)!
I attended two Fasching parades last year 🎉. One in Mainz and the other at Sankt Wendel. I don't enjoy large cities and crowds, so personally, I preferred the local parade at Sankt Wendel 👌. Mainz was a bit crazy for my tastes, but many of my friends loved it!
If you would like to join me at Sankt Wendel, I will attend again on February 11th at 2:11 pm!
Suggested Parking Lot 🅿️:
I have parked here several times.
Hopefully, it will open again!
Last year, I left early, had brunch at Café Restaurant Journal around 10 am 🍳, and then went outside to get my spot for the parade 🥁! It was the perfect schedule.
Don't worry that you won't find the parade. Just head towards the church ⛪, follow the crowds, and you'll quickly find it!
What can I expect?
Fun! Lots of it 🙌!
Germans love a good party, and Fasching is no exception 🎊.
They will throw candy 🍬 and items into the crowd (bring a bag), and many of the floats in the parade will be mobile mini parties themselves. Music 🎶, dancing 💃, and, of course, lots of drinking 🍺!
Speaking of drinking, bring a cup! As they walk by, many will have alcohol, and they are often willing to share 🥂!
I'm a little old for that personally. All it sounds like to me is a major hangover 🤕🍻🙈.
In the smaller villages, this will be a way for the local clubs and businesses to advertise, such as this cheerleading group above 🔼.
Mainz is known for its parades being quite the political affair 🏛️.
Nothing is off the table.
Look at this incredible Star Wars-themed float 😮!
Outfits can be quite the thrown-together hodgepodge. These gentlemen bought hats, strapped a crateful of beer to their backs, did a little face paint and patches, and called it a day 😄!
Love it 👏.
Onesies seem to be very popular.
Probably because they are warm 🧥.
The one thing you can tell is that everyone is having a grand time 😃.
What are you waiting for?
Make plans now 🗓️!
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Thank you for being here.
Life is short. Live it well.
Yours truly, Allie
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