Germany Carnival
In Germany February is the month of Carnival (Fasching).
Almost in every Germany’s city there are many big parties and parades.
"Fasching", "Fasnacht" or "Karneval" are all terms used to describe carnival, an ancient tradition which is celebrated all over Germany but particularly in the Rhineland and in the strongly Catholic regions of Germany.Mainz, Cologne, Düsseldorf and Bonn are hotbeds of carnival fun.
Although it is true that some carnivals are celebrated in November 11, the real festivities start in February.
In southern Germany the traditional Alemannic Fasnet is celebrated. The "fifth season" begins on 11 November and ends on Ash Wednesday.
Carnival season reaches its climax in the week from "schmutziger Donnerstag" (literally: "dirty Thursday") to Ash Wednesday. There are major street processions on the Monday of that week, known as Rosenmontag or Carnival Monday. People dress up in humorous costumes or in traditional dress and masks, and join in processions and street festivals. The tradition stems back to the ancient custom of driving out winter.
The most popular cities where carnival is celebrated are Aachen, Cologne, Dusseldorf, Mainz, Munich or Muenster.