Fasching is really fun time of the year in Germany!! The weekend before lent is filled with parades, music, drinking and merry making while in colorful costume. Streets will be filled with people dressed from anything from Clowns to Zebras! Not all Fasching events are kid-friendly, but luckily Wiesbaden has a day dedicated to bringing some Fasching fun to children as well!
Wiesbaden holds the parade for children a day before the main Fasching event each year. I went to the main parade in the past couple of years with my daughter and I found that it is possible to have kids there but much more fun for them at the children’s parade. I ended up having to put her on our shoulders so she could see, and also so she didn’t get knocked over when people were running for treats being thrown. Also at this parade everyone is drinking already and things can get a bit rowdy! So this year I brought my Barbie Superhero to the Wiesbaden Children’s parade instead!
The parade was a perfect in every way for kids! Held on the main pedestrian street, there were no big floats or trucks so the children could get very close to the edge of the parade. It also wasn’t too long and they didn’t have long breaks in between each parade group, so it kept the little one’s attention! We got a spot at the start of the parade route and to our surprise the parade started off with a big dragon!
The parade had great bands! Since the crowd was so close to the musicians you could really feel the energy! All musicians were of course dressed up which made it even more fun!
Dance teams come out and show their stuff and wear their best uniforms.
Of course at all Fasching parades there will be candy and plenty of it! What was so great about this parade was that they had kids giving out candy to the kids in the crowd. This makes it extra special for them I think. This sweet little girl really liked my daughters costume so she brought her over a treat!
You can really catch the most random items at the parade. For example, we got a sponge and we thought it was really funny!!
Even though this was the children’s parade, the really went all out with the costumes and amazing music!! I was so impressed!
American Football made an appearance when the Wiesbaden Phantoms came down the street. They gave out their season schedule to everyone.
My favorite part of the parade was the Hessen Lion band and especially the drums!
After the parade we went to a wonderful café right behind our spot called Bastians. I love this café for the yummy soups, great coffee and a huge bakery selection!
If you are considering celebrating Fasching with the locals and you have little ones, I highly suggest to go to the Wiesbaden Children’s parade because they will surely have a blast! Don’t forget a bag for all of that candy!
Author’s Profile: Gemma is a mom, a veteran and an Army civilian living in Wiesbaden, Germany. With New Jersey roots, she is enjoying her extended European vacation.
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