The Nubbel bids You welcome!

The Nubbel is a mythological character dating from the 17th century.  Though some people speculate he could have even earlier origins.

The Nubbel is the scapegoat for all of the problems that the people have suffered  throughout the Karneval period although some people blame the Nubbel for everything that went wrong during the entire year.

Throughout various cities (Cologne being the principle city) Nubbels are placed over the doorways and windows of local establishments, usually bars and restaurants, on Weiberfastnacht, the Thursday before Ash Wednesday where they remain until Shrove Tuesday, when they are taken down for the Nubbelverbrennung, the Nubbel burning.

The Nubbelverbrennung is preceded by Rosenmontag, Rose Monday, the day of Karneval, or Carnival.  On this day there is a large parade, up to 7 kilometers long in Cologne, which winds its way throughout the city.  All of the attendees are encouraged to wear costumes and the more outrageous or creative the costume the better.

After the Rosenmontag festivities, which last until Tuesday morning, the people sleep late and then have breakfast and relax.  Tuesday night comes the Nubbelverbrennung.

Just before midnight on Shrove Tuesday (Faschingsdienstag) the Nubbels are taken down and then, in a cortege, brought to the place of the Nubbel burning ceremony.

During this ceremony the master of ceremonies, traditionally dressed in a top hat and tailcoat, blames the Nubbel for everything that went wrong during the previous year.

During the master of ceremonies' speech the crowd cheers and chants "Burn the Nubbel!" or "Kill the Nubbel!" for every outrage that the Nubbel has perpetrated during the previous year.

At midnight, after being blamed for all the troubles of the last year, the Nubbels are then burned.

After the Nubbel burning the people enjoy each other's company and celebrate until the morning and then recuperate the next day.  It is now Ash Wednesday (Aschermittwoch), Lent has begun.

There are many traditions, myths, and stories about the Nubbel.  These vary from place to place and every city has its own way of celebrating.

We encourage you to research more about the Nubbel.  Then create your costume and go to Karneval and the Nubbelverbrennung!