Event: Germany - Aachen

Aachen Carnival

When:	19 Jan 2008 (various dates)
Where:	Aachen
Costs:	Free
Opening Hours:	Various

Aachen takes its carnival so seriously that it has been dubbed the "fifth season". A series of parties, concerts and costumed balls precedes the main events - the Children's Costume Carnival and the Rosenmontagzug Parade (3 and 4 February).

Highlights include the farcical award ceremony Orden wider den Tierischen Ernst (the medal for combatting deadly seriousness), where key public figures vie for the title of "Carnival Knight" by dazzling the audience with witty words and quick quips (19 January). During the parades, witches, clowns, and brass bands ply the streets in a riot of music and colour. One to watch out for is the Narro or jester, a traditional carnival character whose tomfoolery frequently has the crowd in stitches.

For more details on Aachen's carnival programme, please visit the Aachen Carnival Committee website.