Carnival on the Continent

Also Ramadan starts this week but I don't think they have a similar way of seeing it in. They take it more seriously.

I live in the middle of it. It's dying out a little here in Germany but basically there are events from November up to shrove Tuesday. You can watch the parades (Mainz, Cologne, Düsseldorf) especially on the Monday (Rosenmontag) in the comfort of your own living room. If you go to Cologne or Düsseldorf there are balls and parties but you need to know where to go. You have to book the (very expensive) tickets well in advance and come suitably dressed. The streets are full of people partying and drinking from the Thursday until the Tuesday. It's hard to join in if you don't know anyone though.

In the 1970s, when I was working in Mannheim, everything shut down on the Monday and Tuesday. No one did any work. I could tell some incredible stories about what we got up to back in the day.

Also look out for the Wiener Opernball. (Vienna opera ball) It was where the young ladies were presented at court in centuries past. They all had to wear white dresses and the whole dance floor was full of couples waltzing to the Blue Danube. This tradition is still carried out and attracts a lot of press.

Aveline

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

I am not American

And yes, for Carnival many countries in Europe are united in their celebrations.

😊😎

Kate49 I know you're a long term Venice lover like myself and I wish you could go in Winter.

I went solo there for a few days in late November a few years ago and one night found myself alone in St. Mark's square which I couldn't believe was completely empty - I'd come at it from one of the side alleyway near the Fenice.

It was a bit spooky but totally magical and oh so easy to just feel the history of the place.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Notting Hill?

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

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.

did anyone watch the Golden Girls?

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

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

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

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

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! 😊

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?

X post Maw!

*Rosenmontag

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.

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.