Carnival on the Continent

???

My aunt and uncle are in Malaga for the festivities this weekend. They go most years

Not sure which carnival you mean??

Presumably what in other places is known as Mardi Gras, Karneval in German speaking countries, the festivities around Shrove Tuesday before the beginning of Lent.

Karneval (Switzerland, Germany, Austria) ends on midnight on Shrove Tuesday because the following day is Ash Wednesday and marks the start of Lent. You might catch the final celebrations over the weekend and on Rosemontag.
In France there's mardi gras on 17th and the lemon festival with floats and partying in the south.
I've been to Cologne for Karneval. They all dress-up and eat Krapfen (!!) doughnuts.
Maybe some posters who live there can explain more what goes on.

*Rosenmontag

X post Maw!

Sorry I wasn't clear.
What I said which I was aware there are lots.
It was because Mellnau said Have you ever been there?

MartavTaurus

Karneval (Switzerland, Germany, Austria) ends on midnight on Shrove Tuesday because the following day is Ash Wednesday and marks the start of Lent. You might catch the final celebrations over the weekend and on Rosemontag.
In France there's mardi gras on 17th and the lemon festival with floats and partying in the south.
I've been to Cologne for Karneval. They all dress-up and eat Krapfen (!!) doughnuts.
Maybe some posters who live there can explain more what goes on.

Yes, so it is! 😊

And during Carnival … or Fasnacht …. in the Black Forest you can see weird traditional costumes.

I’m having flashes of Betty White in Rose from St.Olaf mode.

I'd love to go to Venice Carnivale. I think it's on at the moment.

NotSpaghetti

Sorry I wasn't clear.
What I said which I was aware there are lots.
It was because Mellnau said ^Have you ever been there?^

Fasnacht, Fasching, Carneval is now over all of Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, in some regions more than in others.
It would be a long long list to name all the places. 😊

I can only assume that the OP is one of those Americans who somehow think Europe is just one country.

did anyone watch the Golden Girls?

Yes we have just arrived in Majorca and it is carnival all over the island this weekend.

We were also here last year the same week. One weekend they have a children’s festival called Rua (I think) when on the Sunday children and families dress up and are lots of activities all around the city. It was very entertaining children and parents dressed up often in the same costumes and sometimes the grandparents as well. There was such a lovely joyous atmosphere and fantastic to witness and be a part of. We stumbled upon it while out for a walk . As the dates change each year that was last weekend .In 2026 this Sunday it is the adults turn. It will be wonderful to see what this will be like.

Also in Holland, Malta, Belgium, Greece etc.
So pretty much everywhere in Europe, except in UK? Miserable place!

Notting Hill?

Kate1949

Notting Hill?

But that's only for one day, August Bank HolidayHoliday.
The European event lasts for weeks. I have some recollection of learning that it starts in November, but the main days of celebrating are in February because that's when winter is coming to an end.

That's true. The Venice one is a few weeks I think and completely fabulous.

It's a pre-Lent festival in many places.

We just call it Shrove Tuesday and stuff ourselves with pancakes before we give up something (chocolate? wine?) during Lent.

Tuesday, 17 February 2026 - good thing I remembered to buy eggs.

I have celebrated in Munich, Zurich and Venice.
Venice was my favourite as the costumes are awesome and they walk around in groups..everywhere you look.
My sister just went to the Mardi Gras in New Orleans and was excited to get a decorated shoe that the parade participants gave out. All the Krewes as they are called, throw various items and she absolutely wanted a shoe from one famous krewe . They are ornately decorated by ladies every year and each one is different. She also collected, pearl like beads a wooden spoon with a duck, themed paper napkin set , notepaper, a hat, a duck sponge…the items they throw coincide with the theme of the group and it lasts a few weeks she hopes to get a coconut tomorrow …they don’t throw the shoes…they point to you to get one. Also worth seeing.
The Venetian Carnevale lasts a month . They all end on a Tuesday.

I'm envious Syracute. We've been to Venice five times but my husband won't go in the winter.

Kate1949

I'm envious Syracute. We've been to Venice five times but my husband won't go in the winter.

He would not be disappointed! It’s really worth it