Fasching
German Mardi Gras in the mountains: Helen's costume parades and parties before Lent
Fasching 2027, in short
Fasching 2027 schedule
Everything on the calendar, in date order.
| Date | Event | Time | Where | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, Jan 22 | Huttengaudi pub crawl and scavenger hunt | Pick up a card at a participating business | Downtown Helen | Check the Welcome Center listing |
| Fri, Jan 22 | Fasching party | Set by the restaurant | Cowboys & Angels | Set by the restaurant |
| Sat, Jan 23 | Fasching party | Set by the restaurant | Hofbrauhaus | Set by the restaurant |
| Fri, Jan 29 | Fasching party | Set by the restaurant | The Heidelberg | Set by the restaurant |
| Sat, Jan 30 | Faschingsverein sidewalk parade and party | Check the Welcome Center listing | Downtown Helen; party at the Helendorf River Inn | Spectators welcome |
| Sat, Feb 6 | Fasching costume party | 6-11 PM | Helen Festhalle, 1074 Edelweiss Strasse | Entrance fee to be announced |
| Wed, Feb 10 | Ash Wednesday, end of the season |
Festhalle details are on the Chamber's Fasching page, and the parade is on the Welcome Center listing, along with the parties at Cowboys & Angels, the Hofbrauhaus and The Heidelberg. Call the restaurants for party times and prices, and ask The Heidelberg (706-878-0061) about any February party.
The sidewalk parade and the Festhalle party
Fasching is the pre-Lent carnival of the German-speaking world, called Karneval or Fastnacht in other regions. Helen's version is small and friendly, and it has two anchors. The first is the sidewalk parade put on by the Faschingsverein Helen, the town's Fasching club: costumed marchers move through downtown on Saturday, January 30, with spectators along the route, then head to a party with live music at the Helendorf River Inn (33 Munich Strasse).
The second is the Chamber's costume party at the Festhalle on Saturday, February 6, from 6 to 11 PM, with live music, dancing and prizes for best female, male and couples costume. Costumes are encouraged, not required. Hamburgers, hot dogs, barbecue and pretzels are on sale, along with a cash bar for beer and wine. The entrance fee hasn't been announced yet.
If you want to dress up but not overdo it, a mask or a hat is plenty. In the German tradition, masks and costumes mark a few days when ordinary rules relax before the fasting of Lent; the season there officially begins on November 11 at 11:11 AM and builds toward Ash Wednesday.
Planning your Fasching trip
Bring winter layers
February's average high in Helen is 53 and the low is 31, with 16 nights at or below freezing (NOAA 1991-2020). Snow is possible but light, about 0.7 inches for the month. Dress warm under the costume if you'll be outdoors for the parade.
Pick your weekend
The weekend of January 22-23 has the pub crawl and two restaurant parties. January 30 is the parade. February 6 is the biggest single night at the Festhalle.
Winter lodging
Late winter is Helen's off-season, and rooms are generally easier to find than in October. Book early for the Saturday nights. The Helendorf River Inn, the parade-party host, is downtown: see our guide.
Drive home safely
Parties involve beer and wine. Book a room within walking distance of downtown or line up a designated driver.
Families will find the sidewalk parade the easiest fit; the evening parties lean adult. For a German dinner around the festivities, try Bodensee or The Heidelberg, and see our downtown shopping guide for hats and gifts. More on the season: seasonal visitor guide and budget guide. Use the trip-dates filter on the events calendar to see what else is on.
Frequently asked questions
When is Fasching in Helen in 2027?
Restaurant parties run January 22, 23 and 29, a pub crawl starts January 22, the Faschingsverein sidewalk parade is Saturday, January 30, and the Chamber's Festhalle costume party is Saturday, February 6, 6 to 11 PM. Fasching season ends on Ash Wednesday, February 10, 2027.
Do I need a costume for Fasching in Helen?
No. Costumes are encouraged and the Festhalle party gives prizes for best female, male and couples costume, but plenty of people come in a mask or hat, or in regular clothes.
How much does the Fasching party at the Festhalle cost?
The entrance fee has not been announced. Check the Helen Chamber of Commerce Fasching page or call 706-878-1908. Food and a cash bar are sold inside.
Is Fasching good for kids?
The daytime sidewalk parade on January 30 is the easiest fit for families. The restaurant parties and the Festhalle evening party lean toward adults.
