Masks, costumes, parades, muzak and lots of beer: early spring marks the start of the festive season of Carnival, often called 'Fasching' in Germany. Typically a Catholic affair, Carnival is not widely celebrated in the traditionally Protestant regions of Northern Germany. For the real thing, you'll have to travel a few hours south to cities like Cologne and Düsseldorf.
Fortunately, Hamburg locals enjoy letting their hair down (and rocking colourful wigs) almost as much as their southern cousins. Most years, anyone in search of a classic Carnival party in Hamburg can don a crazy costume and dance the night away at one of the city's lively 'carnivalesque'.
February 2024 TBA | Hamburg's longest-running and largest Carnival party: four dancefloors, live music and surprise acts. Location: Messe Hamburg Schnelsen. | |
February 2024 dates TBA | Maskenzauber (Venetian Masked Ball) | Street carnival and parade by the Alster lake. Main locations: Alsterarkaden, Colonnaden and Jungfernstieg. |
February 2024 dates TBA | "Küss Mich" Faschingsfestival | Cologne-style Carnival party with optional dinner. Location: Parlament. |