Carnival!

Imorgon smäller det! There is nothing bigger in Cologne than the fifth season - carnival!

Traditionally, the "fifth season" (carnival season) is declared open at 11 minutes past 11 on the 11th of the 11th month November. The Carnival spirit is then temporarily suspended during the Advent and Christmas period, and picks up again in earnest after the 6 January in the New Year. The street carnival is officially declared open at downtown square Alter Markt on the Thursday before the beginning of lent.

Every year there are 3 people (the Dreigestirn) who are granted the titles of Jungfrau, Prinz, and Bauer (virgin, prince and farmer), who pay a large sum of money for their privileges. The carnival prince is deemed to be the highest representative of the festivities, leading the main parades throughout the week. Traditionally, the Jungfrau ("Virgin") is always portrayed by a man dressed as a female. These three people move in to a hotel in November where they will stay until carnival is over. They have a very busy season, carnival is celebrated "behind the walls" until tomorrow, they appear at the carnival association`s stage shows, parades and make lots of public appearances.
So tomorrow is Weiberfastnacht - women`s day. Any men wearing ties will have them cut off and women can kiss any man they want. All shops tomorrow will close in the early afternoon and there will be clowns and cowboys and god know what everywhere. Seriously, there is no escape so if you are not into the whole carnival thing, you´d better off leaving the city for a few days.

Carnival Friday 

In the morning, you might come across the odd "survivor" of "Weiberfastnacht" if you go for a stroll through the city. In the evening: masked balls and parties 

Carnival Saturday 

Following a traditional Cologne "Frühschoppen" or early-morning drink, at 10.30 a.m.
Ghost parade in the city.

Carnival Sunday

Parade through the city centre from 10:30 p.m.: School groups in fancy dress and original costumes of clubs in the city quarters.

In the evening: masked balls and parties 

Rose Monday

The climax of the Carnival with the large official parade from 10:30 a.m., organized by the Cologne Carnival Committee of 1823: It is a colourful spectacle with sweets (“Kamelle”), little bouquets of flowers (“Strüßjer”), pecks (“Bützje”) and over one million of spectators in fancy dress.

Last year the parade went on for 5 hours.  All the carnival associations participate in the parade.

 Monday is an inofficial bank holiday. Shops are closed and most people get the day off.  Evening: the celebrations continue in halls, restaurants and pub.

Carnival  Tuesday 

In the afternoon, parades in Cologne's suburbs with Carnival groups and societies in fancy dress. After the midday parades in Cologne suburbs the party goes on until at midnight, amid great weeping and wailing, the “Nubbel” (a life-size straw figure) is ceremonially burnt out side the pubs.

Ash Wednesday

The end. Carnival "survivors" soothe their hangover with a traditional fish dinner in one of the many restaurants and pubs.   

There is only one thing to drink during carnival  - kölsch. The local beer. Of course there are jägermeister etc, too, but the local beer will dominate for sure.

Photos will come!