1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
In focus
IranHungary electionsUkraine
Latest audioLatest videos
Live TV
Two people dressed in the traditional red and white of the Cologne Carnival enjoy a kiss
Image: Christoph Hardt/Panama Pictures/picture alliance

Carnival

Carnival is a festive season celebrated in some traditionally Catholic countries ahead of Lent. The 2026 Carnival kicks off in Germany on February 12.

Skip next section All Content on this topic

All Content on this topic

Cross River state sign in Calabar, Nigeria

Nigeria: Car crashes into carnival, killing several

An out-of-control car crashed into a crowd at one of Africa's biggest street parties in Nigeria's Cross River State.
CatastropheDecember 28, 2022
Rachel Stewart holding a glass of white wine in a hilly vineyard.

Meet the Germans road trip: Western Germany

What is unique about Germany's westernmost states' culture? Find out on the final leg of the Meet the Germans road trip.
CultureDecember 8, 202212:49 min
Women in costumes kick up their heels.

German carnival season kicks off

On 11/11 at 11:11 a.m., costumed people storm the town halls and symbolically take power for the coming weeks.
TravelNovember 11, 202211 images
Jacques Tilly's carnival float of Vladimir Putin attempting to swallow Ukraine

Choking on Ukraine: A German artist's portrayal of Putin

Jacques Tilly's designs are as politically charged as he himself. His Putin float has become a symbol of protest today.
CultureJuly 19, 2022
Picture of laughing people at a spiritual wedding in India

Celebrating diversity mindfully

DW's Brenda Haas, from Malaysia, looks at the fine lines between cultural appropriation and appreciation.
CultureMay 31, 2022
Brasilien Karneval in Rio 2022

Finally, Carnival returns to Rio de Janeiro

After a compulsory pandemic break, floats and dancers of the samba schools parade through the Sambodrome again.
CultureApril 26, 20226 images
Belgien, Strépy-Bracquegnies | Auto fährt in Menschengruppe

Six dead as car hits Belgian carnival crowd

The vehicle drove into a crowd of people waiting to attend carnival in Strépy-Bracquegnies killing six people.
CrimeMarch 20, 2022
A woman adjusts her scarf to protect her eyes from the color powder during Lathmar Holi 2022

Lathmar Holi, India's carnival of women

Batons and colors: Where women take charge during the Hindu festival of colors in India.
SocietyMarch 14, 20226 images
Deutschland Coronavirus Karneval Köln

Carnival spread COVID in Germany — again

Cologne's Carnival festivities raged on late last month. Now the city is facing COVID-19 consequences.
ScienceMarch 8, 2022
A reveller is made up in the Ukrainian colors during a peace march replacing the traditional carnival street parade in Cologne

Cologne Carnival festivities morph into anti-war rally

Thousands of Carnival revellers in Cologne swapped traditional festivities for an anti-war rally.
PoliticsFebruary 28, 20228 images
Wall of building with projected words Stand With Ukraine

Culture scene shocked at Russian attack on Ukraine

Apalled, artists, musicians and writers worldwide urge stopping the willful destruction of peace and freedom in Europe.
CultureFebruary 25, 2022
A masked performer dances during the 137th edition of Nice's Carnival, whose theme is "King of Animals."

Carnival kicks off as pandemic restrictions ease

Carnival is starting all over the world. In some places, vaccinated revelers are able to enjoy carefree celebrations.
PoliticsFebruary 15, 20227 images
A woman and a child walk down steps

Omicron's impact on cultural events

From the Grammys to the Golden Globes, from Carnival to Oktoberfest: a list of events being reorganized due to COVID-19.
CultureJanuary 7, 2022
Symbolic picture for travel showing clouds and mountain rocks and the number 2022

What will travel be like in 2022?

Despite the likely travel restrictions in 2022, we've put together a few tips for experiencing Germany.
TravelDecember 29, 202112 images
Investigators collecting evidence at site of parade in Volkmarsen

Life sentence for German carnival car attacker

A man who rammed his car into spectators at a parade, injuring dozens, was facing 89 charges of attempted murder.
CrimeDecember 16, 2021
Brasilien Vorbereitungen für den Karneval

Rio tourism returns ahead of carnival

After a disastrous time with the coronavirus Rio de Janeiro is preparing to party again.
BusinessDecember 7, 202102:15 min
People waving their arms in the air

Brazil beats back the virus

COVID-19 infections in Brazil are sinking due to high vaccination rates. Will the Rio's Carnival go ahead?
PoliticsNovember 29, 2021
People dressed up as clowns during a Carnival celebration in Cologne

Germany: Carnival party is on despite COVID wave

As COVID infections soar in Germany, the November 11 parties are still on. But Cologne's main act faces a positive case.
CultureNovember 10, 2021
The scene after the attack in Volkmarsen, where scores were injured

Germany: Suspect in court over carnival car attack

A suspect has appeared in court charged with driving a car into a crowd in the German town of Volkmarsen.
CrimeMay 3, 2021
People in costumes enjoy an unauthorised carnival on Canebiere Street, in Marseille, southern France, on March 21, 2021

Police break up carnival in Marseille

This year's La Plaine party was also partly a protest against continued coronavirus lockdowns.
HealthMarch 22, 2021
Deutschland Mainz Leichhofstraße

Life & laughter: A trip to Mainz

Carnivals, wine tasting and the invention of the printing press: a whirlwind tour of Mainz.
CultureFebruary 20, 202102:15 min
A person dressed up for Carnival wears a mask under a clown nose in front of the Cologne Cathedral

Germany: Carnival fans mark subdued Rose Monday

Floats, sweets and crowded streets have been swapped for televised puppet parade and comedy performances.
SocietyFebruary 15, 2021
Face mask that reads corona, next to a hat and feathers

Can COVID kill Gemany's carnival spirit?

Despite the pandemic, Carnival organizers are finding new and creative ways to celebrate.
CultureFebruary 15, 2021
dozens of puppets stand in a row

Cologne's Rose Monday COVID-19 parade

Lovingly built traditional puppets in Carnival garb get to ride this year's floats in the Cologne Rose Monday parade.
CultureFebruary 15, 20216 images
DW Business Sendungslogo

DW Business – Europe & America

Searching for semiconductors - Germany drafts Supply Chain Law
BusinessFebruary 12, 202112:06 min
Neon sign of 2021

What's on in 2021?

We'll be in the throes of COVID in 2021 as well, but here’s an overview of cultural events planned in the New Year.
CultureJanuary 1, 2021
Aerial view over the town of Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany

Germany from A to Z: Villingen-Schwenningen

Every week we'll introduce you to a German city, guided by the alphabet. This time V leads us to Villingen-Schwenningen.
TravelOctober 19, 202010 images
member of the Estacio de Sa samba school performs

Rio postpones Carnival over COVID-19

The celebration was due to take place in February and officials have not yet set a new date.
HealthSeptember 25, 2020
Carnival parade in Düsseldorf with floats representing a 'coronavirus' and a 'carnival virus'

Can Germany keep its Carnival events small?

It's a heated discussion in Cologne and Düsseldorf: Can Carnival take place despite COVID-19?
CultureAugust 28, 2020
Germany, aerial cityscape of Cologne

Germany from A to Z: Cologne

Every week we will introduce you to a city in the alphabet. This time K takes us to Köln or Cologne.
TravelAugust 3, 202010 images
DW Sendung Euromaxx Buschofest

Quirky Customs: The Buschos are on the march!

In the Hungarian village Mohács, Buschos roam through the streets to chase winter away.
LifestyleMarch 14, 202005:26 min
Deutsche Welle Thomas Sparrow headshot

Inside Europe: German carnival car ramming

Dozens of people, including children, were injured in central Germany during the week when a man rammed his car into a carnival procession near Frankfurt, injuring dozens and further unsettling a country rocked by a fatal mass shooting last week. Keith Walker speaks with DW's security correspondent Thomas Sparrow for the latest.
PoliticsFebruary 27, 202007:08 min
Carnival parade performers dressed up as Nazis in Spain

Spanish Holocaust-themed Carnival parade sparks outcry

The parade featured revellers in gun-toting Nazi costumes and people wearing striped death camp uniforms.
PoliticsFebruary 26, 2020
A handcart in Volksmarsen

Carnival driver detained on suspicion of attempted murder

Tuesday saw many Carnival parades canceled or have heightened security.
CrimeFebruary 25, 2020
The scene where an auto drove through a Rose Monday parade

Germany: Injury toll rises in Carnival attack

Dozens of people were hurt when a man ploughed his car through a crowd during Carnival festivities in Volkmarsen.
CrimeFebruary 25, 2020
Hartl, Judith

A pandemic is nearly upon us

Judith Hartl
Many virologists say we might soon have a coronavirus pandemic on our hands. What can we do now?
HealthFebruary 24, 2020
Police officers secure the area near the scene of the crime

Germany: Car hits crowd in Volkmarsen, at least 30 injured

A man has driven a vehicle into a crowd of Carnival revelers, injuring dozens of people, a third of them children.
CatastropheFebruary 24, 2020
People in fancy dress in Cologne

Germany's Rosenmontag parades see politicians lampooned, racism scorned

Events in Cologne, Düsseldorf and Mainz drew the biggest crowds and laughs — but this year, security was tight.
SocietyFebruary 24, 20207 images
The yearly carnival parade in the streets of Aalst

Anti-Semitic tropes on display at centuries-old Carnival

The charges have prompted UNESCO to take Aalst's Carnival off its list of cultural heritage events.
SocietyFebruary 24, 202003:08 min
The yearly carnival parade in the streets of Aalst, Belgium with participants dressed as Jewish stereotypes

Carnival of anti-Semitic tropes goes ahead despite criticism

Israel urged Belgium to ban the parade, which featured floats depicting Jews as insects and revellers in Nazi costumes.
SocietyFebruary 23, 2020
Italy: Coronavirus Venice

Venice shuts down carnival over coronavirus crisis

The world-famous festival has been shut down as Italy races to contain COVID-19.
HealthFebruary 23, 2020
A Carnival reveller in Cologne, Germany

Carnival celebrations called off due to Storm Yulia

The cancellations, due to the arrival of Storm Yulia, have left more than 250,000 visitors disappointed.
SocietyFebruary 23, 2020
Plane in red sand storm

Canaries suspend flights due to Saharan sand storms

Red desert sand have blanketed the touristic Spanish archipelago while heavy winds rip through the islands.
Nature and EnvironmentFebruary 22, 2020
DW Euromaxx Special

Euromaxx - Lifestyle Europe

Street carnival celebrations in Cologne, masquerade balls in Venice, flower parades in Nice.
LifestyleFebruary 22, 202026:06 min
DW Euromaxx - Karneval - Muzemandeln & Co.

Sweet carnival treats from Cologne: Muzemandeln

During carnival, people eat a lot of rich pastries. In Cologne, "Muzemandeln" are very popular.
LifestyleFebruary 22, 202003:25 min
Euromaxx Karneval in Nizza

Carnival parades and flower battles in Nice

Flowers are an important part of carnival in Nice. They're often thrown from parade floats.
LifestyleFebruary 22, 202003:47 min
DW Euromaxx - Karneval - Rijeka in Kroatien

European Capital of Culture 2020: Rijeka, Croatia

A 2020 European Capital of Culture: Rijeka, Croatia -- a city with a great carnival tradition.
LifestyleFebruary 22, 202004:55 min
DW Euromaxx - Karneval - Meggin Leigh beim Karneval in Venedig

Meggin Leigh spends a weekend at the Venice carnival

Meggin Leigh explores the Venice carnival by gondola, and dresses up to attend a masked ball.
LifestyleFebruary 22, 202005:37 min
Colorfully costumed people standing in line in a gallery

Cologne Karneval: Ultimate beginner's guide

Here's everything you need to know about the colorful celebrations.
LifestyleFebruary 22, 202001:42 min
people standing in costume, heads bowed

How Carnival in Germany reacted to Hanau attacks

Should the events be canceled after fatal racist shootings on Wednesday in the city of Hanau?
CultureFebruary 21, 2020