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A woman wearing a Carnival mask in Venice
Image: Ervin Shulku/ZUMA Press/picture allianceImage: Ervin Shulku/ZUMA Press/picture alliance

Carnival

Carnival is a festive season celebrated in the Western Christian world ahead of Lent.2024 Carnival kicks off in Germany on February 8.

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All Content on this topic

Dokumentation | Die Kapverden - Sound der Sehnsucht

Cape Verde: Volcanoes, pristine beaches, carnival

The African Cape Verde islands have their own distinct genre of music and dance known as “morna”.
MusicMay 10, 202442:35 min
Carnival in Brazil: Rio de Janeiro

Rio's samba schools compete for Carnival parade prize

Carnival time has kicked off in Brazil. Rio de Janeiro's samba schools are vying for the prize of best parade.
OffbeatFebruary 13, 202401:46 min
A man wears a mask and holds a replica of the book "The Million" during the 2024 Carnival in Venice, Italy

Venice's 2024 Carnival stuns with masks and masquerade balls

Jetsetters and fans of the Venice's elaborate masks and costumed thronged the Italian city for Carnival.
CultureFebruary 13, 202403:08 min
A carnival float shows a giant smiling effigy of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's head with a large hole in his head.

Carnival parades in Germany satirize political figures

Carnival reached its climax across western Germany on Rose Monday, with politicians getting a traditional bashing.
CultureFebruary 12, 202411 images
A picture of men wearing extravagant costumes during the Prince Carnival in 1884

Germany: Is the Cologne Carnival still a man's world?

Why does a man still play a "maiden" in the Cologne Carnival? And what did the Nazis have against men wearing makeup?
CultureFebruary 7, 2024
A man stands in a narrow street in Venice and holds a golden mask above his face

Venice's Carnival masks crafted by new generation

Meet one of the few artisans in Venice still making traditional Carnival masks — and passing the craft onto his son.
CultureFebruary 5, 202405:06 min
A carnival float engulfed in flames

Germany: Carnival float catches fire in Kehl, 5 injured

People riding on the float had to leap down onto the street to escape the flames.
SocietyFebruary 4, 2024
Bavaria's Markus Söder having fake eyebrows applied in a makeup studio. February 2, 2024.

Bavaria's costume veteran Söder unveils 2024 Carnival outfit

One of Germany's more colorful, if less significant, recurring political questions has its annual answer.
PoliticsFebruary 2, 2024
Revelers at a carnival party.

Kölsche Kippa Köpp: Carnival in the shadow of war

How does the world's only Jewish Carnival club rejoice at the Cologne street Carnival amid conflict in Israel and Gaza?
CultureJanuary 31, 2024
Float at the Carnaval de Negros y Blancos

Colombia's carnival of cultures

The "Carnaval de Negros y Blancos" in the Colombian Andes celebrates the ethnic diversity of the region.
CultureJanuary 8, 202410 images
A crowd of people celebrating carnival.

11 crazy Carnival events held between November 11 and Lent

Worldwide Carnival celebrations are in February, but German Carnival strongholds start the party on November 11.
CultureNovember 11, 2023
Many colorful ties are hung side by side.

Necktie Day: From status symbol to fashion accessory

Managers and politicians wear ties, and on special occasions they reflect good manners.
LifestyleOctober 18, 2023
Three people with faces painted like ducks on the streets of Cologne.

Alaaf and Helau! Carnival in Germany

Where are the best places to celebrate carnival in Germany? Here are some tips, from Cologne to Cottbus.
TravelFebruary 21, 20239 images
BG Karneval Rosenmontag l Scholzomat-Wagen in Mainz

Putin, Scholz among German carnival parade satire targets

The war in Ukraine's impact on the satirical artworks at 2023's Rose Monday carnival parade is considerable.
PoliticsFebruary 20, 202316 images
People wearing red costumes and stripes celebrate carnival on the streets of Cologne.

Cologne Carnival: 11 tips for beginners

Cologne Carnival is in full swing! That means days of non-stop partying Here's a guide on what to wear and where to go.
TravelFebruary 20, 202311 images
A view shows the damage caused by severe rainfall in Ilhabela, Brazil

Brazil: Cities cancel Carnival due to deadly floods

Dozens of people have so far died in floods which hit several cities in the north of Sao Paulo state.
CatastropheFebruary 20, 2023
DW Euromaxx (Sendungslogo Composite)

Euromaxx - Lifestyle Europe

Carnivals in Venice and Cologne, a bodyguard becomes a fashion designer, and finest olive oil from Spain.
LifestyleFebruary 17, 202326:06 min
Two people in traditional Carnival gear drink beer smiling

An Australian visits Cologne's Carnival

DW reporter Brant Dennis learn the ropes at his first-ever visit to the famed festivities in Cologne.
CultureFebruary 17, 202304:39 min
A person in an elaborate Venetian Carnival costume stands on a public square in Venice

Experience Venice's famed Carnival

The city of canals hosts its annual carnival. But what to wear? Where to go? Hannah Hummel reports.
CultureFebruary 17, 202304:44 min
Empty alcohol bottles and cans on a street in Cologne in Germany following carnival celebrations on February 16, 2023.

Carnival: Trier police attacked by nightclub revelers

Five police officers were injured as a group of about 40 people attacked them with makeshift weapons.
CrimeFebruary 17, 2023
A person dressed in a lavish clown costume during Carnival in Brazil.

Carnival around the world: From Rio to the Rhine

People are unpacking their costumes and getting ready to party — not just in Germany, but the world over.
TravelFebruary 17, 202310 images
A hand holding up a tambourine with the emblem of the city of Cologne.

11 reasons to visit Cologne

We explore a German city that stands for good cheer — Cologne! Here's what to see.
TravelFebruary 16, 202311 images
Central Cologne, Cologne's Cathedral, the River Rhine and bridge across it photographed by night.

Germany: Arrest made in 1988 murder case after TV appeal

Police in Cologne have arrested a 56-year-old man suspected of strangling a young woman in 1988.
CrimeFebruary 14, 2023
DW Sendung Euromaxx | Biggi Fahnenschreiber

At the Cologne carnival with a 91-year-old dancer

What do you have to know to take the bus, train, or tram in Germany?
DanceFebruary 13, 202305:04 min
DW Euromaxx (Sendungslogo Composite)

Euromaxx - Lifestyle Europe

Dancing at carnival at age 91, testing public transport in Germany, enjoying pierogi from Poland
CultureFebruary 11, 202326:06 min
Figures in traditional costumes stand by the water's edge in Venice.

Masks and revelry at Carnival in Venice

The Venice Carnival will take February 4 to 21. Here's what visitors can expect.
TravelFebruary 10, 20239 images
CDU party leader Friedrich Merz

Politics and Carnival: Friedrich Merz on the defensive

The leader of Germany's largest opposition party is not amused by jokes made about him in a Carnival speech.
PoliticsFebruary 9, 2023
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 dressed in red and white striped shirts, some with red wigs, waving and singing

Ringing in Carnival: A 2,000-year-old tradition

What do the ancient Romans and the number 11 have to do with the November 11 rituals of the Cologne Carnival?
CultureNovember 11, 2022
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