
German Karneval Fasching Celebrations in the United States
Fasching (in the South) and Karneval (in the North) are a time of celebration of food and fun in the time before the austerity of Lent. Costumes and Masks are meant to scare away evil spirits. Parades and dancing add to the fun.
The celebration begins on November 11, the beginning of the 5th Season, when the Karneval Prinz and court are elected. Often there are Karneval Parties, Balls and Gala events.
The merriment kicks into high gear the Thursday (Weiberfastnacht) before Ash Wednesday… and continues until Faschnachtdienstag (Shrove Tuesday) the night before Ash Wednesday, and the beginning of Lent.
In 2022-
Weiberfastnacht falls on Thursday February 24
Ash Wednesday falls on March 2
Learn More About Karneval / Fasching Here- What is Karneval Fasching?
We’ve gathered a list of some local (to the US) German celebrations…. I’ve tried to put them into some order so you can find one close to you. Come join the Celebrations!
Feel free to add more in the comments or send me an email at [email protected]
California
Anaheim
The Phoenix Club
GAMGA- Jan 14-15 in Las Vegas
Join us in Las Vegas, NV at the Rio Hotel & Casino to celebrate 36 years of German Mardi Gras
Saturday, February 5, 2022 – AKG travels to the German American Societies of San Diego in El Cajon, CA. The party theme is “Rome”
Sunday, February 6, 2022 – AKG travels to the Kinderkarnveal at the German American Societies of San Diego in El Cajon
Saturday, February 25, 2022 – AKG travels once again to the German American Societies of San Diego in El Cajon. The party theme is “Pompeii – The Floor is on Fire”
Sunday, February 26, 2022 – AKG travels to Old World in Huntington Beach for German Schools Kinderkarneval
For More information Anaheim Karnevalgesellshaft
Moorpark
Energren Brewery
Rosenmontag with Festmeister Hans Feb 28th 5p- close
For more information- Festmeister Hans
San Jose
Germania Verein
German Family Karneva TBD
for more information- Germania Verein
San Luis Obispo
California Central Coast German Club
Karneval Party at Beda’s Biergarten Sunday, Feb 27
For more information- CCCGC
Florida
Lake Worth
American German Club
Weiberfasching- TBD
For More Information- American German Club
Georgia
Helen
Faschingverin Helen
Fasching Party– Feb 12
March to River & Parade– Feb 12
For more information –>Fasching Verein Helen
Illinois
Chicago
Arlington Heights
Grand Masquerade Ball – Feb 26
For more information-Chicago German American Events
Rheinischer Verein Chicago
Maskenball — Feb 26
Rosenmontag — Feb 28
For more information –Rheinischer Verein
Minnesota
Bloomington
Spielmannszug Minnesota
KinderKarneval – tbd
Kostümball – tbd
for more information- https://www.facebook.com/Spielmannszug-Minnesota-73376609367/
Nevada
Las Vegas
GAMGA Gala Karneval Jan 14th & 15th
For more information – German American Mardi Gras Association
Ohio
Cincinnati
Germania Society of Cincinnati
Maskenball –Jan 29
Kinderfasching– TBD
Kehraus Party— Feb 19
For more information– Germania Society
Wisconsin
Milwaukee
Muller Fasching Verein
January 8th, 2022: Muller Bummel Tour
January 15th, 2022: United Donauschwaben of Milwaukee Schlachtfest at the Schwabenhof
February 5th, 2022: Spielmannszug Milwaukee Maskenball
February 12th, 2022: Fasching with the Mullers, Tickets Required Presented by the Kegel’s Inn
February 26th, 2022: Rheinischer Verein Milwaukee Maskenball Presented by the Rheinischer Verein Milwaukee
March 1st, 2022: Muller Fasching Verein Nordamerika & Big Boy (Used to be Old Town), Fat Tuesday
Join us as we celebrate the official end of the Fasching Season with Big Boy. German Bier Stube
Various locations for more information- Milwaukee Mullers
Rheinischer Verein Gruen Weiss
Maskenball– Feb 26
For more information- Rheinischer Verein Milwaukee
Spielmannszug Mardi Gras schedules
Maskenball – Feb 5th
Lumpenball– March 5th
For more information- Spielmannszug
Washington DC
Washington Saengerbunds
Fasching Masquerade Ball–cancelled
For More Information- http://saengerbund.org/
Remember also to check the Events Page for more German Festivals and Events–> Events Page


The actual celebrations of the German carnival take place 40 days before Easter ; they are the last big party before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent.
Minnesota is not mentioned. The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St Paul have Karneval club, Spielmannszug Minnesota that has been in existence since 1993 . We crown a new Prinzenpaar each year aling with having orher events during the Karneval Session. We have a facebook page and website
Thank you !!! I will add them
Your home page lists a perfoormance on Jan. 21, Sat. at the Schwaubenhop in Menomonee Falls, WI but it does not list any specifics, such as what time, can anyone sign up, cost, etc. Can you give me that information?
found it! Follow this link… I will update the page
http://www.milwaukee-mullers.org/performances/
Awesome website, German Girl, keep up the good work! We enjoyed Fasnet in Southern Germany, Fasching in Central Germany, and Carnival in Cologne as well. Great culture, great fun! I just want to let you and your followers know about Fasching near D.C. The event is actually held in the D.C. suburb of Fairfax, Virginia. It is put on by the Saegerbund, the German singing society there. Please check out their website: http://saengerbund.org/ for those near Washington, D.C. and interested. Helau, Alaaf, Ahaa to all!
Thanks! I will add this to the list!
Beethoven Damenchor will host their annual Fasching at the Beethoven Halle und Garten (422 Pereida St., San Antonio, TX) Saturday, March 2, 2019 beginning at 8 PM. There will be a costume parade with prizes awarded for best costumes; also dance music and snacks, cash bar, and raffle for a gift basket of German goodies. Helau!
First, I want to add to the chorus of all the people you’ve made so happy with German Girl in America. I would like to request, however, that next year you include the DANK Haus, German American Cultural Center (just a stone’s throw from your friend Erica at Rare Dirndl) in Chicago to your list. This is the inaugural year of DANK’s Karneval Gala and Fundraiser. I’m happy to say it is completely sold out this year. Should be tons of fun
Oh gosh! How did I miss that!
(Usually I add things when people tell me about them… I’ll add this one to the list)