Black Forest carnival

• Location: Black Forest region, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

• Category: True Carnival

• Dates/Time: Begins on “Schmotziger Donnerstag” (Fat Thursday) and ends on Shrove Tuesday (varies annually)

• Duration: ~6 days (some towns celebrate for longer)

• Attendance: Varies by town; collectively tens of thousands across the region

• Venue: Town centers and streets in cities such as Rottweil, Elzach, Villingen, and others

• Organizer: Local carnival guilds (Narrenzünfte) and town municipalities

• Established: Medieval origins; formalized during the 19th century

• Symbolic or Satirical Content: High

• Cultural or Ritual Roots: Yes

• Global or Migrant Influence: Low

Participation Tips

• Participation Type: Participatory

• Participation Level (Scale): 4/5

• Requires Costume to Join: Yes, for traditional roles (wooden masks, historic costumes); spectators often dress up as well

• Family-Friendly: Yes

• LGBTQ+ Inclusive: Yes