Fasching and Mardi Gras madness

Colorful costumes, masked balls and elaborate parades are all part of Fasching festivities. Commonly known as Mardi Gras in the States, Fasching celebrates the few remaining days before the solemn season of Lent. In Germany, parades and parties are usually held on Rose Monday (Rosenmontag) or Shrove Tuesday. Here are a few upcoming events for revelers wanting one last shot of indulgence and debauchery:

Bavaria

Nuremberg Fasching Parade
Feb. 26, Nuremberg

Join the festivities of one of the oldest Fasching processions in Germany! This lively parade winds its way through the charming streets of Nuremberg’s city center.

Dance of the Market Women
Feb. 28, Munich

Kaiserslautern and the Pfalz

Carnival Party
Feb. 23, Ramstein-Miesenbach

Speckball Carnival Party
Feb. 23, Elschbach

Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball
Feb. 25, Club E’, Ramstein AB

Street Carnival Party
Feb. 25, Bann

Mardi Gras Party
Feb. 25, Armstrong’s Club, Vogelweh

Children’s Carnival
Feb. 26, Ramstein

Children’s Carnival
Feb. 26, Mackenbach

Children’s Carnival
Feb. 26, Bruchmühlbach

Rose Monday Fasnacht Parade
Feb. 27, Mainz

Colorful floats, elaborate costumes, bands and raucous performers fill the streets of Mainz on Rosenmontag. The highlight of the carnival season in Mainz, the Rose Monday parade can take as long as five hours to pass through the streets. Keep an eye out for sweets and other treats thrown into the festive crowds.

Rose Monday Parade
Feb. 27, Seligenstadt

Shrove Monday Procession
Feb. 27, Schönenberg-Kübelberg

Shrove Monday Parade
Feb. 27, Krottelbach

Ramstein Carnival Parade
Feb. 28, Ramstein-Miesenbach

Rhein Main

Storming of the Town Hall
Feb. 25, Frankfurt

Children’s Festival
Feb. 25, Wiesbaden

Greater Frankfurt Parade
Feb. 26, Frankfurt

Carnival Sunday Parade
Feb. 26, Wiesbaden

As per tradition, the Wiesbaden Carnival parade will kick off at precisely 1:11 p.m. Enjoy lively performers, music and beautiful floats as they pass by. The party continues long after the parade has finished.

Heddernheim Klaa Paris
Feb. 28, Frankfurt-Heddernheim

Stuttgart

Küblerball
Feb. 25, Stuttgart

Children’s Carnival
Feb. 26, Stuttgart

Guggen-Monster Concert
Feb. 27, Stuttgart

Carnival Day Parade
Feb. 28, Stuttgart