Carnival, Germany

Every year, the so-called ‘Fifth Season’ starts in Germany on 11th November. This is fasching, or carnival time, and involves numerous rehearsals for the elaborate carnival that takes place in February. In Munich there are street parties, parades and masquerades. In Bonn, the unofficial capital of the carnival, and in Frankfurt and Dusseldorf, the celebrations commence with a comedic election of the Prince of Fools.