Mainz Carnival

Just like Cologne and Düsseldorf, Mainz is a Rhineland carnival capital. The Mainz carnival procession on Rose Monday stretches for some 6.5 kilometres, making it one of the region's longest. The evening carnival show is broadcast live on German TV. Both events have a strong political streak, and politicians' misadventures are mercilessly satirised. The crazy weekend kicks off with Europe's biggest children's masked parade on Carnival Saturday.