Cologne Carnival 2011

Even though Cologne’s Carnival officially begins on the eleventh minute of the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the climax of festivities takes place in the run up to Shrove Tuesday, typically in early March. At this time, the streets of Cologne are radically transformed. Those staying in Munich hotels may think the famous beer festival is the best Germany has to offer but this is one of the biggest parties in Europe.

In 2011, festivities will begin on March 3rd when, at 11.11am, the Carnival will be declared officially open. This date corresponds with Women's Carnival Day, when women are deemed in charge of the city. On Carnival Sunday, March 6th, a parade of local schoolchildren will take place ahead of the biggest day of the festival, Rosenmontag on March 7th.

Rosenmontag is quite a spectacle, with the Altstadt (Old Town) converted into a sea of colour. There are bands aplenty as beautifully decorated lorries, tractors and floats parade through the city in a 6km long route to the sound of evocative music. A highlight of the procession is the huge effigies of German political figures, so look out for Chancellor Angela Merkel and friends being portrayed in a none-too flattering light.

The vivaciousness of the celebrations gives a nod to Mardi Gras in New Orleans as most of the city appears to have turned up in fancy dress whilst sweets (Kamelle), flowers (Strüßjer) and plush toys are typically thrown from the floats. Wearing such attire is actively encouraged, so get in the party mood by surrendering your inhibitions and finding a local fancy dress shop... they are easy to find. Meanwhile, don’t hang around at the magnificent double-towered cathedral to see the parade as there are less busy parts of the route that will allow a better view.

Shrove Tuesday, March 8th, is the day to visit the suburbs as more local parades take place throughout the city. As drinking is a customary part of the Rosenmontag celebrations, tourists may well be nursing hangovers in their hotels, but getting up and out comes highly recommended. Proceedings calm down on Ash Wednesday, March 9th, with a meal of fish very much the traditional way to end the party. Most restaurants and pubs serve this dish, which is a traditional staple of gastronomy in the city.

One of the major facets of Cologne Carnival is the Sitzungen. Every November, KölnTourismus publishes a list of the major balls taking place during the Carnival period in springtime. These cater for every possible taste but book your tickets in advance as these events are massively popular.

Cologne Carnival is the ideal time to meet locals, who are known in Germany as being amongst the most hot-headed yet friendly in the whole country. If someone gives you a Bützje, kisses made with pursed lips, it means you have been accepted into the crowd. Visiting the city during the festivities will ensure you will have enduring memories of a remarkable celebration, provided you keep off the Kölsch!

- For Cologne hotel deals, see Booking.com

- More information on Cologne can be found at visitCologne.co.uk

- More information about the Cologne Carnival in 2011 can be found at the official KÖLNER KARNEVAL website.