Cologne Carnival

Location: Cologne, Germany
Category: True Carnival
Dates/Time: Begins on November 11 at 11:11 AM, with main events during the week leading up to Ash Wednesday
Duration: Several months of festivities, with peak celebration over 6–7 days (Weiberfastnacht to Rose Monday)
Attendance: Over 1 million people during peak parade days
Venue: Streets and squares throughout central Cologne
Organizer: Festkomitee Kölner Karneval
Established: Modern form since 1823; roots in medieval traditions
Symbolic or Satirical Content: High
Cultural or Ritual Roots: Yes
Global or Migrant Influence: Low

Participation Type: Participatory
Participation Level (Scale): 5/5
Requires Costume to Join: No, but costumes are expected and widely worn in public
Family-Friendly: Yes
LGBTQ+ Inclusive: Yes