Another of the very big carnivals of Rhineland, the Dusseldorf version is a swirling, kaleidoscopic blur of colour and noise, with more than 6,000 flamboyant participants and dozens of floats weaving slowly through the ecstatic crowds in storms of confetti and streamers, accompanied by bands. Many of the papier mache figures satirise politicians and public figures. The spectators, over the course of five days, number more than a million. The Old Town (Altstadt) is where much of the action takes place and where practically every pub throws a party. As usual, the hectic pace of events builds towards Monday and the big Rosenmontag parade through the streets of the city centre.

Times
Various.