German Karneval Mardi Gras or Carnival (Karneval) goes by a lot of different names: Fasching, Fastnacht, and Fassenacht. But it all means one thing fun! Germans consider this time “the fifth season” of the year, and it starts on November 11, or specifically, on 11.11 at 11:11 am. Mardi Gras, German Style. Different Traditions, Different Dates There are three different main words in German for “Carnival” or “Mardi Gras”: Karneval, Fasching and Fastnacht. Although all three refer to the same pre-Lenten observance, each has a different tradition and reflects somewhat different customs in different regions of the What is German Carnival or Fasching, Fastnacht, Karneval? Fasching is a traditional German celebration, also known as Karneval or Fastnacht. It is carnival season, which has been celebrated for centuries by people worldwide with German heritage. It was a festival that originated in the cities, most notably Mainz and Speyer. Munich Carnival. The Munich Carnival, or Fasching, is a lively week-long celebration filled with colorful parades, street festivals, and traditional performances.Running from February 23 to March 4, 2025, it includes highlights like the Damische Ritter parade, "München narrisch" street carnival, and the famous Dance of the Market Women at Viktualienmarkt. It's Carnival, German style. Even if you've experienced Carnival in New Orleans during Mardi Gras, there's still a lot to learn about how the German-speaking countries do it. Here are five frequently asked questions about the popular celebration throughout Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. Mardi Gras is called Carnival, Fasching or Fassenacht in Germany. The opening of the so called fifth season is November 11th at 11:11 am. Carnival ends after the peak of shrove Monday and shrove Tuesday with it’s popular parades. In between there are many traditional events for and with the public. But there is more about German Mardi Gras Fasching, Fastnacht, Karneval, whatever you want to call this Pre-Lenten observance, is Germany’s version of Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, or Carnival that dates back to the Medieval Ages. In the United States, Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras is a huge celebration in New Orleans, a festivity right before the start of the first day of Lent (Ash Wednesday People observe this day with smaller parades and parties throughout Germany. Carnival enthusiasts in other parts of the world, however, know this day not as Shrove Tuesday, but as Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras. In fact, this day marks the highlight of the carnival season in many places! Cheerful and colorful crowds take over the streets with Imagine Halloween and Mardi Gras teaming up for a cultural extravaganza. It's the German way of letting loose and embracing the spirit of fun before the more serious Lenten season kicks in. During Fasching, streets come alive with parades, elaborate costumes, a variety of different masks and a whole lot of laughter. Everyone knows about Mardi Gras in New Orleans and Brazil but did you know that in Germany there is an even BIGGER Mardi Gras party and it’s called Karneval? Karneval! or also known as “the fifth season of the year” is a festival that once a year brings Germany to life with a flurry of costumes, parades, singing and dancing. For many, it 15feb6:00 pm 11:00 pm Fasching (German Mardi Gras) Celebration Event Details Dress as your favorite, or perhaps your least favorite personality or character and join us for a night of dancing and fun! Depending on what region in Germany are you in, you may hear different words or phrases to what the locals call the Mardi Gras season. In the South in the Swabian region, Fastnacht is based on traditions and folklore. In Bavaria, Fasching is full of fun, parades, and plenty of costumes. The German American Mardi Gras Association represents the German American Karneval Clubs in the USA and Canada. Karneval/Mardi Gras has a long tradition in Germany and is celebrated by millions of people there. Fasching, often called the “German Mardi Gras,” is a lively and colorful celebration rooted in centuries-old traditions. It marks the beginning of Lent in Germany and other parts of Europe, where communities come together to enjoy music, dancing, costumes, and festive foods before the solemnity of the Lenten season. Karneval is the pre-Lent season in German speaking countries. Think of this time as the German version of Mardi Gras; come celebrate Karneval in Anaheim! The German-American Mardi-Gras Association (GAMGA) represents most of the German-American Karneval Clubs in the U.S.A., as well as some in Canada. The organization was founded in 1985 on the West Coast with the goal to promote German Karneval traditions in both the USA and Canada. Rheinischer Verein Chicago is a non-profit German American cultural organization. Celebrating the German Karneval tradition. top of page. Rheinischer Verein 1890 . German Mardi Gras German Karneval Mardi Gras or Carnival (Karneval) goes by a lot of different names: Fasching, Fastnacht, and Fassenacht. But it all means one thing fun! Germans consider this time “the fifth season” of the year, and it starts on November 11, or specifically, on 11.11 at 11:11 am. Fasching (German Mardi Gras) is traditionally the eve of the beginning of the fast (Lent) People tend to use the last days before periods of fasting to enjoy life to the fullest. In Helen, Fasching is done to laugh at Old Man Winter with a mid winter celebration. Plentiful hors oeuvres are included in the admission charge. Come celebrate German Mardis Gras with music, dancing and fun! Decorate a table with your friends in your favorite theme. Or just wear your favorite costume. Anything goes! (Costumes are encouraged but not required-just come for the fun!) We will be serving bratwurst with kraut, hot dogs, barbecue and more. We will also have pretzels!
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