While Germany is famously known for its Fall and Winter traditions such as Oktoberfest and Weinachtsmarkt "Christmas Market", there are also many exciting traditions to celebrate Spring. Some prominent examples include Fasching "Carnival", Osterfeuer 'Easter bonfires" and Erster Mai "1st May" where Maibaum "Maypoles" are decorated and raised in towns and villages to welcome the warmer weather.
I recently learned about Fasching, Fastnacht, or Karneval (depending on region) which is essentially German spring carnival equivalent to American Mardi Gras. During Fasching, German schoolchildren traditionally get a holiday, and there are around six days of dressing up in colorful costumes, watching and participating in parades, and engaging in festive music and dancing.
Germans celebrate Fasching as a way to engage in the last bit of rich food and drink and partying before the 40-day fasting season of Lent begins in the run-up to Easter. All the revelling during Fasching is believed to chase away cold and drab winter spirits and bring in the warm laughter and liveliness of spring.
