Carnival or Fastnacht or Fasching is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events
are usually during February. Carnival typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, mask and public street party.
People often dress up or masquerade during the celebrations, which mark an overturning of daily life.
Although the festival and party season in Germany starts on 11 November at 11:11 am, the actual Carnival week begins on
the Thursday before Ash Wednesday. German Carnival parades are held on the weekend before and especially on Rose Monday,
and occasionally on Shrove Tuesday as well in the suburbs of larger cities. The Carnival session begins each year on 11 November at 11:11 am
and finishes on Ash Wednesday with the main festivities occurring around Rosenmontag; this time is also called the "Fifth Season."