Alaaf and Helau!
One of the most important traditions celebrated by German clubs in America is our 5th season – an extended holiday that spans Nov. 11 through Ash Wednesday, known as Karneval. This month’s-long affair is all about fun, fantasy, a love for life, and a willingness to let loose! A series of events is planned throughout the season to honor hilarious, centuries-old traditions – and we have new royalty, themes, costumes, performances and members to celebrate every year!
In San Diego, there are multiple events that are part of Karneval Season. There is a Crowning event that is only open to Karneval members to announce a new season of Royalty, which always takes on Nov. 11. A public event typically occurs the following weekend, and that includes performances by the Prinzengarde (adult dance group) and KinderTanzGruppe (kids dance group). In January, Karneval members head to Las Vegas for the annual meeting of the German American Mardi Gras Association where they perform skits, dances and hang out with hundreds of their closest friends from clubs, nationwide. Later in January, the Club hosts a second public party or Home Event. Finally, the evening before Ash Wednesday, they “bury” the Prinz in a private ceremony and rest until the next season.
Here’s the flyer for our Karneval 2025/26 Season.
Check out this flyer for our Neverland-themed Karneval Home Event, taking place Jan. 10, 2026! Tickets are available HERE.
Karneval History: The Short Version
In New Orleans, Karneval is known as Mardi Gras, in Rio it’s called Carneval (with a “C”), in Southern Germany it’s called Fasching, and along Germany’s Rhine it’s called Karneval (with a “K”; our Club has a close connection to Koln, so we’ve adopted their traditions). The Grecians celebrated Karneval/Mardi Gras in the form of Spring festivals as early as the 6th century B.C. In medieval times, a “Feast of Fools” provided citizens with one last opportunity for merrymaking and excessive indulgence before their Solemn Lenten Season, and later on, in some areas of Europe, Mardi Gras became a theatrical demonstration for common people as they relayed satirical comments on their oppressive monarchy and government. Wherever you look, the 5th season seems to have been an effective way to mock leadership, society and the general drudgery of life, without being punished.
Honoring Traditions
Those same actions ring true today in our own Karneval traditions. We have our own ‘sinister’ prime minister – he’s our Elferrat President, and he leads a cabinet of Elferrat members who represent, as you might guess, the royal cabinet. We have a fun-loving Garde dance group who perform for the Elferrat and other event attendees, a Schutzmann or Policeman, and a Master of Ceremonies who uses comedy and sarcasm to mimic the royalty of medieval times for the crowd’s entertainment.
Let’s not forget our own Royalty or “Prinzenpaar” – officials elected every year to rule over our merry, makeshift Karneval government. Within the Prinzenpaar is the royal court or “Hofstaat” who are led by a Prinz (Seine Tollität) and Prinzessin (Ihre Lieblichkeit). These two are crowned at the start of the season on Nov. 11 at a members-only event, and then they rule the entire season, which lasts until Shrove Tuesday, or the day before Ash Wednesday. Their Court consists of the “Hofmarshall” (Prinz’s Grand Marshall), the “Adjutant” (Prinzessin’s Attendant), the “Hofdame” (Maid of the Court), and the “Mundschenkin” (Toastmistress and keeper of the wine!).
Playing By “The Rules’
Each government has ordinances. They can be fun, funny, serious, sentimental – even ridiculous. There are those that remain consistent year over year, and those that are personalized to match the reigning couple. Additionally, in Karneval government, the number eleven plays a key role. For example, the first official day of Karneval is the 11th day of the 11th month of the year. Additionally, all gatherings and proclamations are supposed to begin at the 11th hour, and at the 11th minute following that hour. There are even 11th ministers in the Elferrat cabinet!
A Karneval Committee and Group are responsible for all of the festivities that occur before, during and after the 5th Season. They meet weekly on Thursdays to discuss everything from elected Royalty to themes for parties, skits for competitions, partner club meetups, and what’s pouring at the bar during formal dinners. Want to get involved? Visit our Karneval Group Page and contact the Committee for info!
GERMAN AMERICAN SOCIETIES OF SAN DIEGO 