Carnival 2024 in Cologne in Germany – Tips and travel guide

Edson Amorina Jr

2 years ago

Travel Guide for the Carnival Festivities in Cologne in 2023, the most famous in Germany, with tips on transportation, accommodation, attractions and schedule.

The Carnival festivities in Cologne, Germany are the most famous in the country and have been taking place for almost 200 years, celebrating the end of winter in honor of the gods. Interestingly, officially starting on 11/11 at 11:00 am every year, before the cold season, its main parties actually take place on the “crazy days” of February.

Program yourself: the Carnival 2024 in Cologne in Germany will take place from February 8, 2024 until February 14, 2024.

When we think of parties in Germany, the first thing that comes to mind is the Oktoberfest in Munich or perhaps the famous Christmas Markets. But make no mistake, Germany’s Carnival festivities are traditional, fun, colorful and highly celebrated.

We have some posts that can help your travel planning:

How to go to the city of Cologne

The city of Cologne, Köln in German, is located in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia (Nordrhein-Westfalen in German, whose capital is the city of Düsseldorf). As the fourth most populated city in Germany, Cologne is a well-known tourist destination, with its Cathedral, the Padlock Bridge (Hohenzollern), the Ludwig Museum, the Christmas markets and, of course, its Carnival parties as its main attractions.

The best known and closest cities are Düsseldorf (44 km) and Frankfurt (191 km).

The roads in Germany have an excellent structure and are very easy to drive, but we also recommend trying out the country’s rail network and making your trip by train.

Where to stay to enjoy Carnival in Cologne

The first tip to get a good hotel is to plan and book the hotel in advance, as the best deals sell out quickly.

In our travels, we ended up finding a very good hotel next to the Hauptbanhof in Cologne, the hotel Wyndham Köln. The superior room, which we booked as there were 3 of us, is huge, comfortable and with good soundproofing. The bathroom is also good and the amenities have a nice smell. Regarding breakfast, we didn’t think that the price of 19 Euros per person was a good deal and we decided to eat out. In the Hauptbanhof you have economical options that do the job well.

To help with travel planning, we wrote a post that makes choosing easier the best region and the best hotels to stay in Cologne in Germany.

If you are looking for a hostel, hostel accommodation, at a more affordable price, it is worth researching other options on the Cologne city page at Booking.com website.

How are the carnival festivities in Cologne in Germany

Although the Cologne Carnival officially starts on the 11th day of the 11th month of the year at exactly 11:11 am, its main parties, called “Dias Malucos” (“Crazy Days“), take place in the last February days.

Recalling that this year the main parties of the Cologne Carnival 2024 will take place from February 8, 2024 until Ash Wednesday on February 14, 2024.

The schedule of celebrations for the Cologne Carnival festivities is:

Thursday – Weiberfastnacht (February 8, 2024)

The party begins with the women’s parade. The streets are filled with carnival costumes and at exactly 11:11 am, the street carnival is officially opened by the mayor and the Cologne Carnival triumvirate.

Curiosity: On this day, women in costume cut the ties of men they meet, symbolically taking their power. So don’t dress formally on this day (or play along).

Friday

Look for the dances and parties that happen at night in bars and clubs.

Saturday

The parties continue, with emphasis on the release to start drinking earlier, but the main attraction is the Phantom Parade that takes place on the Saturday night of Carnival.

Curiosity: the German toast is always accompanied by “Prost”, but during the Carnival festivities in Colonia you must say “Alaaf”, which comes from “al aff colnisch land” (everything under Cologne = Cologne above all).

Sunday

Starting at 11:11 am, school and neighborhood parades march through the city center, featuring costumed school groups and original masks staged by neighborhood clubs.

Monday – Rosenmontag (February 12, 2024)

The highlight of the session is the big Carnival parade on Rosenmontag, Pink Monday. The floats begin to parade through the city at 10 am. Participants party and send kisses and candy, lots of candy, to the costumed crowds that follow the parade.

Curiosity: remember that the Cologne Carnival festivities still take place during the German winter season, a very cold climate, so the costumes are very different from the Brazilian ones, much more closed and often reminiscent of witches and monsters.

Tuesday – Veilchendienstag (February 13, 2024)

At noon, there are Carnival parades with groups of costumed revelers and the celebrations last until midnight, when the straw figure called “Nubbel” is buried or burned. Very similar to our “Malhação de Judas” during the Easter festivities.

Wednesday – Aschermittwoch (February 14, 2024)

On the morning of “Ash Wednesday”, Catholics go to church to receive an ash cross on their forehead as a sign of repentance. That night, the carnival season of the year is traditionally concluded with a fish dinner.