Carnival Museum (Fastnachtsmuseum), Mainz

The Carnival Museum in Mainz offers a deep dive into 160 years of the city's vibrant carnival traditions. Opened in 2004 and located in the historic Proviant-Magazin, a mid-19th-century military supply depot, the museum brings visitors into the heart of Mainz’s cultural and political history, particularly its famous carnival.

Exhibits span the carnival's origins in 1837 to the present, showcasing various artifacts such as fool's hats, medals, guards' uniforms, and costumes. Visitors can explore historical songbooks, programs, and audio-visual documents, including highlights from the beloved televised sessions “Mainz, how it sings and laughs,” one of Germany’s most-watched TV events since the 1950s. The museum captures the carnival’s strong political-literary roots, born in a time of censorship before 1848's March Revolution.

One of the museum's unique features is its interactive elements. In the first room, visitors can try on various fools’ caps, offering a fun selfie moment. The museum also displays three Schwellköpp (swell heads), oversized papier-mâché heads that have been part of the Rose Monday parade since 1927. Additionally, the collection includes parade plaques, medals, and plastic figurines used to help fund the parade since 1950.

While the museum doesn't have space for the large parade floats, it features a flipbook that shows how these floats are planned and brought to life. Designed to be accessible for children and people with reduced mobility, the Fastnachtsmuseum captures the lively spirit of Mainz’s carnival playfully and engagingly.