Cologne Carnival is the Rhineland's wildest celebration — Germany's answer to Carnival with a distinctly local character. Weiberfastnacht (Women's Carnival Thursday) opens with women ceremonially cutting off men's ties and the city descending into costume-wearing chaos. The Rosenmontag (Rose Monday) parade is one of the largest in the world — 10,000 participants, giant floats, and 300 tonnes of sweets thrown into the crowd. The Kölsche dialect, the Dom cathedral as backdrop, and the relentless Kölsch beer pouring distinguishes this from any other carnival in Europe.
Weiberfastnacht Thursday is the most intense day — the old town (Altstadt) is impenetrable by afternoon. Wear a costume: going in ordinary clothes makes you conspicuously a tourist. Book accommodation months ahead.