Fasching in Germany: Locations & Costume Tips

Helau, Alaaf and happy carnival season! Do you have no idea what this is actually all about? Then a warm welcome to the Fasching season 2026, also known as the fifth season of the year. Even though the Fasching season traditionally already begins in November, Fasching reaches its peak in February 2026.

Around Weiberfastnacht, Rose Monday and Shrove Tuesday, many cities in Germany transform into a carnival frenzy full of parades, costumes and parties. Ash Wednesday brings the celebrations to an end and marks the beginning of Lent.

Fasching vs. Carnival vs. Fastnacht

Whether Fasching, Carnival, Fastnacht or Fasnet is used actually depends strongly on the region. In Bavaria, Saxony and parts of northern Germany, people mostly speak of Fasching, in the Rhineland of Carnival, and in Hesse or Saarland of Fastnacht.

However, it always means the same thing: the carnival season, whose origins go back as far as the weapon dances and knightly games of the Middle Ages.

Note: For better readability, we will predominantly use the term Fasching below.

Important Fasching Terms

Are you ready to celebrate Fasching with other people? Then you should know the following terms and their meanings:

Weiberfastnacht (12 February 2026): Weiberfastnacht marks the transition from session carnival to street carnival. This is the start of street carnival. Celebrations take place in costume on the streets, in bars and pubs. Originally, this day was dedicated to women; today, this tradition has been relaxed, so everyone celebrates together. Traditionally, men’s ties are cut off on this day if they are wearing one.

Fastnacht: Fastnacht should not be confused with Weiberfastnacht. Instead, the term Fastnacht is a regional alternative term for Fasching or Carnival. Alternatively, Fastnacht is also referred to and pronounced as “Fasnacht” or “Fassenacht”.

Rose Monday (16 February 2026): Rose Monday is the highlight of the Fasching season with large carnival parades. Especially in Rheinhessen and the Rhineland, Rose Monday is a highlight that is celebrated with the Rose Monday parade.

Shrove Tuesday (17 February 2026): The night before fasting. The last day of the Fasching season before Ash Wednesday. On this day, people celebrate exuberantly one last time in many places before Ash Wednesday follows the next day.

Ash Wednesday (18 February 2026): Ends Fasching and ushers in the fasting period. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, which lasts until Easter. In the Christian-religious context, it commemorates those days that Jesus spent praying and fasting in the desert.

Lent (18 February 2026 – 4 April 2026): Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts until Good Friday. During the 40-day fasting period until Easter, many people consciously give up certain things. In the past, fasting mainly meant abstaining from food; today, many people fast individually, for example by giving up alcohol, smoking or social media.

Funken / Tanzmariechen: The term originates from the market women who accompanied soldiers in the Middle Ages and danced among other things. Today, Tanzmariechen are the representatives of the Fasching clubs and perform at parades and sessions.

Jeck / Fool: Jeck is a Rhineland term for fool. Both terms describe people who actively take part in Fasching or Carnival without being organized in a club.

Carnival call: The regional greeting call of the celebrants. Well-known examples include “Kölle Alaaf” (Cologne), “Helau” (Düsseldorf, Koblenz, Mainz), “Ahoi” (Baden region), “Alleh hopp” and even “Wau Wau” (among others in the surrounding area of Bayreuth). Battle cries such as “Alleh hopp” in Saarland and “Schelle, Schelle, Schell au!” in Wangen im Allgäu can also be found.

Parade: Costumed floats, masked groups and dance groups move through the streets, often with political-satirical motifs. Sweets and flowers are thrown into the crowd from the decorated floats.

Fasching Events 2026 Near You

So that you know where carnival fever is in full swing, we present selected Fasching events 2026 in cities with Staytoo apartments.

Berlin

Even though Berlin is not a classic carnival stronghold, revelers still get their money’s worth here.

Carnival at Gaffel Haus Berlin: Anyone who wants to experience carnival in a truly Cologne-style way is exactly right at Gaffel Haus Berlin.

 

When: Weiberfastnacht: 12 February 2026 (3:11 pm–12:11 am) | Party evening: 14 February 2026 (6:11 pm–1:11 am) | Rose Monday: 16 February 2026 (3:11 pm–12:11 am) | Ash Wednesday: 18 February 2026 (all-day fish meal).
Admission: €10 at the box office (parties)

Carnival Party Berlin 2026 – live at LOCI LOFT: On Friday, 13 February 2026 (from 6:00 pm), LOCI LOFT Berlin will become a carnival stronghold. Here you can expect the only carnival party in Berlin with a live carnival band.

Where: LOCI LOFT, Oraniendamm 72, 13469 Berlin-Reinickendorf.
Admission: from €19 (exclusively via Eventim).

Leipzig

Leipzig is one of the most important Fasching cities in eastern Germany.

MEGA Fasching Party at Täubchenthal: Large student party on several floors with mandatory costumes. Music: charts, 90s, 2000s, and party classics.

When: Fasching Saturday or Rose Monday 2026
Admission: approx. €12–18, often +€5 without a costume

After-parade party following the Leipzig Rose Sunday parade: Many clubs in the city center offer special after-parade parties.

Kaiserslautern

Kaiserslautern combines street Fasching with club nights.

Fasching party at Nachtschicht Kaiserslautern: Popular location for students with themed parties.
Admission: approx. €10–14, early-bird tickets often cheaper.
Extras: drink specials & costume promotions

Dansberger Fasching (event hall): Traditional Fasching ball with music, dancing and bar service.
Admission: approx. €10 advance sale, €12–15 at the box office.

Nuremberg

In Nuremberg, the Nuremberg Fastnacht parade starts on 15 February. From 1:00 pm, it begins on Bayreuther Straße, and the colorful floats of the carnival societies move through Nuremberg’s city center with loud music to the White Tower.

On 15 February at 5:11 pm, the ceremonial session of the BRETONIA Fasching society begins at the Gartenstadt event hall. On 16 February, the Rose Monday Fasching takes place at Parks, before the N1 Ramba Zamba Hut Carnival in the Nuremberg winter huts brings the festivities to a close on 17 February.

Tickets from €15.

Bonn

Bonn is one of the strongholds of street carnival.

Weiberfastnacht parties in Bonn city center: 12 February 2026, 12:00 pm. Bars & clubs are already open at midday.
Admission: mostly free to €5.

After-parade parties on Rose Monday: 16 February 2026, 3:00 pm Directly after the parade, the celebrations continue in clubs and halls.
Admission: approx. €10–20.

Tip: Shortly before the Fasching season, check exact times, routes and admission prices, as details may change.

Popular Carnival Strongholds in Germany

The most well-known carnival strongholds include:

• Cologne
• Mainz
• Düsseldorf
• Munich

Munich

Munich Fasching looks back on a long history. Numerous events take place around Marienplatz, Viktualienmarkt and Narrhalla, ranging from children’s Fasching to traditional tavern Fasching.

Further Carnival Strongholds

In addition to the well-known carnival centers, there are also numerous other places in Germany in 2026 where the Fasching and carnival season is celebrated on a large scale.

Other carnival strongholds include Aachen, Bremen and Marne. Here too, you can expect parades, street carnival and local Fasching events. Fasching is also celebrated in many regions, such as Würzburg, in Saxony and in parts of Austria.

Our tip: Check the websites of your city or region early so you don’t miss any Fasching parades, Fasching parties or special events.

Tips for Your Fasching Costume 2026

The fifth season of the year is naturally the most fun when you wear the right costume. We have collected a few tips for the ideal Fasching costume:

Choose a costume you feel comfortable in. This is probably the most important tip when it comes to choosing a costume. Select your costume based on whether you feel comfortable in it – only then will you truly enjoy Fasching.

Colorful and flashy is welcome! Fasching is all about standing out. Not an easy task when there are so many people around you also wearing costumes. Choose bold colors – these days are made for birds of paradise!

Pay particular attention to warm clothing. February is a cold and often wet month in Germany. If you want to avoid catching a cold, you should dress warmly.

Group costumes attract attention: Are you going to Fasching with friends? How about matching group costumes? This will help you stand out even more from the crowd.

Extra tip: Homemade costumes are creative and affordable. Masks and accessories also perfectly complete the look.

Enjoy Fasching 2026 & Celebrate Well Prepared

Fasching 2026 once again offers numerous opportunities to celebrate, whether at Fasching parades, parties or in taverns. Ash Wednesday is followed by Lent, before things get carnival-crazy again in 2027.

Whether you live in Berlin, Bonn, Leipzig, Kaiserslautern or Nuremberg: Find out about dates early, pack your costume and enjoy the fifth season of the year to the fullest.