Welcome to Europe’s finest get together. I’m certain none of you might be strangers to the revelries of Carnival, to fancy gown parades, big floats and the insanity occurring earlier than Lent begins. Carnival will be dated again to Roman instances, and each metropolis, city and village in Europe celebrates its personal manner.

I’ve been touring Carnival celebrations for years now, and nowhere have I seen it celebrated with as a lot ardour and sentiment as in Cologne – regionally often called Kölner Karneval. The city is actually swept away in a sea of colours, music and dance for six days. Over 1,000,000 folks take the streets and locals received’t miss the celebration for something on the planet.

It’s the get together to finish all events – and listed here are 7 suggestions so that you can take pleasure in Carnival in Cologne at its finest.

See additionally: A Guide to Visiting Cologne, Germany

Scenes from the Carnival in Cologne, Kölner Karneval
Scenes from the Carnival in Cologne, Kölner Karneval

1. Select when to go to

Carnival parades in Cologne occur over a course of 6 days, with every single day totally different celebrations. Festivities kick off on the Thursday earlier than Ash Wednesday with ‘Ladies’s Carnival’, and conclude with the burning of the ‘Nubbel’, a straw determine, on Tuesday evening.

On Friday there are events and parades throughout city, and on Saturday night the ‘Ghost Parade’ takes place, the one parade the general public is allowed to hitch. Sunday is Household Day, when teams of schoolchildren from throughout Cologne march across the metropolis with their floats. The largest parade is the one occurring on Rose Monday, with over 70 massive floats from Cologne’s official carnival teams.

The Rose Monday parade is certainly spectacular, with marching bands and teams of cheerleaders opening every float, however crowds will be overbearing. Sunday is one other nice day to go to because the ambiance is extra subdued.

2. Select the place to look at the parade

Being near the parade is a part of the enjoyable. You’ll get to understand the colourful floats and costumes, the music and festive ambiance, with folks screaming Kolle Alaaf – the carnival motto, that means Cologne above all – and throwing Kamelle (sweets) to bystanders. Be sure to deliver some luggage alongside to take all of the Kamelle dwelling with you!

With as much as 1,000,000 folks within the streets, selecting a great spot to look at the parade is usually a problem. The realm across the Dom is certainly scenic, however it’s additionally the place crowds are at their worst. We suggest avoiding the Dom and the Heumarkt space, and heading as a substitute to the backstreets simply off Neumarkt, or close to the start of the parade. Check this map for the small print of the carnival parade.

3. Decide a elaborate gown

You merely can’t go to carnival with out fancy gown. You may deliver your individual or lease/purchase one whenever you get to Cologne, and even simply seize a wig or a foolish hat from one among many stalls across the metropolis middle. In case you go for a full-blown fancy gown, keep in mind you’ll be in your ft for a lot of the day, so select one thing sensible – an 18th century Venetian-style gown will in all probability be onerous to handle.

Additionally, don’t overlook that Carnival occurs in the midst of winter so be ready for temperatures that may dip under zero – a Monsters Inc model jumpsuit or cavemen’s outfit ought to do the trick!

4. What to do at evening

The parades occur within the afternoon, and after they’re over the get together continues at just about each single bar, restaurant and residential across the metropolis. Events in bars and restaurant normally comply with an identical format – copious quantities of Kolsch, Cologne’s very personal beer, streamers and confetti and Carnival music taking part in all evening lengthy. In case you converse a little bit of German, don’t fear in the event you can’t make any head or tail of the songs – they’re all in Cologne dialect.

Bars across the metropolis middle are prone to be packed – head out of the town middle to a spot like Agnesquarter, Südstadt or Ehrenfeld for a extra manageable state of affairs.

5. What to eat and drink throughout Carnival

Would you like the brief reply? Eat avenue meals (assume currywurst, doner kebab, falafel and the like) and drink Kolsch, Cologne beer served in tiny glasses. There will likely be stalls serving beer all around the metropolis, or you’ll be able to choose up some bottles at a nook retailer.

In case you’re planning on partying the entire day and entire evening, be sure you eat breakfast as these Kolsch add up actually shortly and also you don’t need to get too drunk too quickly!

See additionally: Traditional Beer and Food in Cologne

6. Burn the Nubbel

On Carnival Tuesday, the Nubbel is ceremoniously set ablaze in Cologne. This straw effigy should take accountability for all wrongs dedicated in the course of the carnival season.

Folks congregate exterior quite a few pubs to absolve themselves of their previous transgressions- setting hearth to this figurine symbolically relinquishes them from any misdeeds they might have indulged in all through that interval, as per fashionable superstition.

7. Attending to Cologne and round

Carnival is tremendous excessive season in Cologne, and flight costs are usually steep. We suggest taking the prepare as a substitute (search for tickets on Kayak) – the town is a really busy railway hub with plenty of trains coming from each nook of Europe, in order that they’re not prone to be bought out. Most German trains don’t require reservations – we travelled into Cologne from Copenhagen and out to Paris and didn’t have to e book our seats upfront.

To get round Cologne you need to use the wonderful public transport system, with trams and U-Bahn reaching each nook of the town. The carnival space is compact sufficient to be navigated on foot – it takes about 20 minutes to stroll from Neumarkt to Heumarkt, and an additional 15 to achieve the Dom and Hauptbahnhof.

8. Is carnival in Cologne secure?

The ambiance of Carnival in Cologne is festive, relaxed and welcoming, and locals will likely be greater than prepared that can assist you in the event you’ve misplaced your manner or your group. I’ve by no means felt threatened or endangered in any manner – there’s plenty of police and safety across the parades.

Nevertheless, as all the time with crowds, pickpockets are rife, so hold your belongings shut.

See additionally: Easy Tips to Outsmart Pickpocketing in Europe





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