Carnival / Shrove Tuesday in Germany ― Date, History, and Details

Carnival / Shrove Tuesday in Germany

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History of Carnival / Shrove Tuesday in Germany and How to Celebrate/ Observe It

In Germany, Carnival is known as Fasching or Fastnacht. It typically begins on the 11th day of the 11th month at 11:11 a.m. and ends on Shrove Tuesday (Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras). Fasching is a time when people dress up in costumes and celebrate with parades, parties, and other festive events.

The most famous Fasching parade is held in Cologne, where over a million people come to watch. Other popular parade cities include Düsseldorf, Mainz, and Aachen. Fasching celebrations often include music, dancing, and drinking. The most popular drink during Fasching is called “Faschingskrapfen”, which is a type of doughnut filled with jelly or cream.

On Shrove Tuesday, the last day of Fasching, many people eat pancakes for breakfast. This tradition is known as “Pancake Day” or “Pfannkuchen Day”.