Every year, Germany celebrates around 10,000 festivals and about 200 million people go along to join in the fun. Mardi Gras ('Fasching') is referred to as the fifth and foolish season ('die närrische Zeit'). This 'Carneval' season is a time for official madness and there are elaborate parades, masks and balls as well as the election of the Carnival king and queen. Munich, Cologne and Mainz are the main places for Mardi Gras celebrations if you want to join in the fun.