Alemannic Carnival

"Geißenmeckerer" with horned masks and goatees denounce the mistakes of the authorities. The parades of the Swabian-Alemannic carnival are among the most original, wild, and authentic folk festivals in the Black Forest.

The "Fasnacht", "Fastnacht", "Fasent" or "Fasnet" usually starts on Epiphany on the 6th of January. Then, everyone dusts off their masks and costumes and visits each other dressed as clowns and jesters. The "high days" of the street carnival always take place in February.

If you haven't had enough of the Swabian-Alemannic carnival by Ash Wednesday, you should move on to Weil am Rhein on the south-western edge of the Black Forest. There, things really get going with the "Buurefasnet" on the Sunday after Ash Wednesday, with the start of the "Hästräger" and "Guggemusiker" parade at 4am the following day, as well as the 72-hour "Morgestraich" in neighbouring Basel.

The Swabian-Alemannic Fasnet is very different from the much younger Rhine carnival. Here, instead of marionettes, it is witches, devils and an array of unusual local characters striding, stomping, hopping, and jumping through the streets of the Black Forest towns and villages.

The traditional "Scheibenschlagen" (beating of discs) signifies the end of the Alemannic carnival. Square, glowing wooden discs are placed on hazelnut sticks and then launched as far as possible down the mountain into the dark valley. In the process, good wishes are sent to loved ones.

In our carnival museums, immerse yourself in the colourful hustle and bustle which takes place throughout the Black Forest, as well as outside of the "foolish season", whilst learning more about the costumes, masks, and guilds.