In Cologne, Silliness Is Serious Business . Every year on November 11, 70.000 carnival merrymakers come together on Heumarkt, in the historic centre of Cologne, to celebrate the kick-off of a brand new carnival season!Gathering together at 11.11am, the crowd opens the "fifth season of the year" and Cologne Carnival, although the real crazy days do not start until the onset of Lent, in spring 2020. On the 11th on November at 11. What does "Alaaf" mean? Together they are called the Trifolium (or Dreigestirn) which consists of the character of the Prince, the Peasant and the Virgin.The Prince is the prince of the carnival itself, the Peasant represents the wealth and the defensive strength of the city of Cologne, whereas the Virgin symbolizes the virtue and beauty of the city. . The Cologne Carnival ( German: Kölner Karneval) is a carnival that takes place every year in Cologne, Germany . Starting on November 11th in the Alter Markt although the real party takes place during the month of February. Carnival begins on 11 November of every year at 11 minutes past 11 in the morning. CARNIVAL-GERMANY/ - RTXUHRY A carnival reveller sits on his walking frame at the start of the carnival in Cologne A carnival reveller sits on his walking frame at the start of the carnival in Cologne November 11, 2010. Carnival revellers celebrate with tens of thousands the start of the carnival season in the streets of Cologne, Germany, Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021. But in 2021 everything will be a little different. During the carnival season, three symbolical rulers are elected. The Große - Cologne's oldest carnival society dating from 1823 and known as the "mother of all societies". Real carnival lovers and party people will not miss the opportunity to celebrate the whole weekend, to have fun and to live up to . In general, Karneval is the word used for the Rhenish (Rhineland) version of carnival in northwest Germany (except in Mainz), while the word Fasching refers to the similar celebration in southern Germany and Austria. On this day, the streets of Cologne are shaded with merrymaking colorful people who rejoice to celebrate one of the biggest street festival of Germany. Cologne Carnival. Photo: DPA. Cologne carnival with kids - Tweed to Tokyo For balls and other indoor events, thin costumes are recommended. The odd part isn't that theirs starts so early on November 11 and goes until Ash Wednesday, with a pause during the Advent period. 2022 Here are 10 Awesome Places to celebrate【Germany】 While celebrations are mainly put on hold until after the holiday period, come the Thursday before Lent in February the parties truly kick off for a solid week of what's known as 'crazy days.' Cologne Carnival is one of Europe's biggest, best & oldest carnivals; it is also referred by the locals as "the fifth season of the year". The Cologne Carnival Dates in 2016 have Women's Carnival Day on February 4th, Rose Monday on February 8th and Ash Wednesday on February 10th. Some 150 Carnival clubs put on events across the city and participate in sessions, parades and costume balls between the kick-off on November 11 and Ash Wednesday. Although Carnival, or "Fastelovend," is said to begin on November 11 each year, the really "great days" start with Ladies' Night, or "Weiberfastnacht" on .