Germany Trip Plan:
5-days Cologne Carnival - the party never stops

Parade float, GNU-Rolf Hahn
[ source: Wikipedia]

Day 1: Carnival Friday, Feb. 12 - arrival in Cologne - Star-march to downtown Cologne

You can choose from a range of great vacation apartment locations, be it in the center of the action or around Cologne. Especially throughout carnival the public transport system provides fast connections to and from all parts of Cologne; until very late the night. Carnival in Cologne is not just happening in one part of the city. Every Veedel, quarter, has its own distinctive features and parties are held everywhere on the streets and in typical, cozy local pubs. Carnival is as much a community event as it is an international one.

Each year the Association of Friends and Sponsors of the Star Traditional Cologne march in the early evening to downtown Cologne. 44 Veedel groups start from the Eisenmarkt, Heumarkt, Laurenzplatz and the Bollwerk to the Altermarkt. There they celebrate themselves and the performances of many well-known Cologne Stars. Listen to classic and modern carnival hits and soak up the unique atmosphere!

Parade float, political motivated, GNU-Rolf Hahn
[ source: Wikipedia]

Day 2: Carnival Saturday, Feb. 13 - Ghost Festival at the Waidmarkt

Enjoy a hearty breakfast before you dress up in your favorite Carnival costume and join the crowd. Since much is happening on the streets and it can be cold in this season, you will appreciate a warm costume; and the locals will love you for dressing appropriately! Don't be shy and use your fantasy, the typical Rhineländer isn't and in return, they will take you along to the many little insider places, a normal tourist would never see.

The Ghost Festival is about traditions and a good alternative to other carnival events in Cologne. The program starts at 7 p.m. and the Ghosts are due to arrive at around 10.p.m. The origin of this marsh and festival reaches back nearly 2,000 years. The Roman Empress Agrippina the Younger was born in Cologne on the 6th November 15 AD. She made Cologne to one of the main cities north of the Alps. With the Ghost Festival, Cologne's Citizen commemorate her and use the old Roman Cologne streets to march to the Waidmarkt in the city center. This Open Air Carnival Festival, Jeisterzoch en Kölle, is for the normal people and until late night you will enjoy a special flair and live stage performances. No entrance is charged for that night!

Rote Funken parade float, GNU-Rolf Hahn
[ source: Wikipedia]

Day 3: Carnival Sunday, Feb. 14 - Schull-un Veedelszöch starts at 10.30 a.m.

Carnival has been celebrated in the City of Cologne since time immemorial. However, after the French Revolutionary troops left Cologne in 1814 and the Prussian took over, it was high time to organize the street carnival which, the new authority felt, was getting out of hand. (It was a kind of protest against the new leadership) Thus, in 1823 a committee was founded, the predecessor of today's Festive Committee. On February 10, 1823 Cologne celebrated the first Rose Monday Rosenmontag with the motto Enthronization of the Carnival Hero.

The route of the Sunday parade is almost identical with that of the Rose Monday. Every year this event takes around 250,000 Jecke under its spell. It's the day to shine for schools, sports clubs and large families. Enjoy a very colorful, fun filled day, where children are in the front and center of the action!

Parade float, GNU-Rolf Hahn
[ source: Wikipedia]

Day 4: Carnival Monday, Feb. 15 - Rose Monday parade

Given its Christian roots, the date of Rose Monday is determined by the Church calendar; it takes place on the Monday before Ash Wednesday, which in turn marks the beginning of Lent leading up to Good Friday and Easter. Over the years, decades and centuries certain traditions and customs emerged, which are still the hallmark of the traditional Cologne Carnival; the indoor festivities (sessions and balls) and of course the street carnival, culminate in the grand parade on Rose Monday.

About 1 million people crowd into the city to see and experience the incredible floats, marching bands, dancing and artistic performances throughout the city of Cologne. Each year, the parade has a different theme that runs, like a red thread, through the whole parade. Popular and current topics from politics, sports, business, but also society and city life are parodied here. The traditional corps dance groups and companies take part and either walk, ride, or present their own floats. The highlight of each parade is, when the Dreigestirn Prince, Peasant and the Virgin rain Kammelle and Strüßjer on the foolish people along the streets. (Traditionally sweets and flowers are generously thrown into the crowds)

Kamelle, sweets, thrown at a Carneval-Parade, CC-Superbass
[ source: Wikipedia]

Day 5: Carnival Tuesday, Feb. 16 - Departure day

No doubt, as you could experience for yourself, the Cologne Karneval plays in the Champions League together with the Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro and Carnival in Venice! If you can, come earlier and stay longer and don't miss out on any Cologne carnival event. Kölle Alaaf!

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