Fastelavn(Denmark/Norway)
Pre-Lenten carnival in Denmark and Norway featuring costume parades, bun-eating, and playful traditions.
Fastelavn takes place on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of Lent.
Children dress up in colorful costumes and visit neighbors to collect treats and money.
A highlight is 'slå katten af tønden' (hit the cat out of the barrel), a game where participants smash a barrel of candy.
Families also enjoy fastelavnsboller, rich cream-filled buns topped with icing and jam.
The festivities blend Christian preparation for Lent with folk customs of masquerading and merrymaking.
Fastelavn
Nickanan Night(Cornwall)
Traditional Cornish night of playful pranks and door-to-door mischief before the start of Lent.
Nickanan Night, observed on the eve of Mid-Lent Thursday, features joking, shenanigans, and neighborhood games.
Children and adults move from house to house with playful tricks, often carrying flattened taffy or pea shell 'bombs'.
The event recalls ancient Celtic customs celebrating the Feast of St. Piran and seasonal change.
It is sometimes called 'Rumanny Tune' or 'Pea Shell Day' in local folklore.
Communities embrace the spirit of fun and community bonding through lighthearted pranks.
Nickanan Night
Cornwall
Rosenmontag(Germany)
Germany’s Rose Monday of Karneval celebrated with colorful parades, satirical floats, and street parties.
Rosenmontag falls on the Monday before Ash Wednesday, serving as the zenith of German Karneval.
Major cities like Cologne, Düsseldorf, and Mainz host elaborate parades featuring giant floats and marching bands.
Participants dress in vibrant costumes, masks, and themed attire to mock politics and society.
Traditions include distributing sweets ('Kamelle') to spectators and the chanting of carnival songs.
The day fosters a festive atmosphere of satire, music, and communal celebration across Germany.
Rosenmontag
Chandeleur(France)
French Candlemas festival celebrated with the making and sharing of crêpes to welcome spring.
Chandeleur, observed on February 2, marks the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple.
In France, it is popularly known as La Chandeleur, or Crêpe Day, when families gather to make crêpes.
A traditional custom involves flipping crêpes with a coin in hand to ensure prosperity in the coming year.
The round, golden crêpes symbolize the sun’s return and the end of winter.
Festivities blend religious observance with culinary delight, enjoyed in homes and cafés nationwide.
Chandeleur