Carnival in Europe with kids: Venice, Cologne, Nice and Basel
Carnival with kids is one of the most fun family events of the winter: costumes, music, parades and sweets flying through the air. In February 2023 the big four are Venice, Cologne, Nice and Basel, each with a very different feel. Here is what is on, which carnival suits which age, and how to manage prams, food and crowds.
What's on: dates, places and prices
Venice and Nice run over several weeks, while Cologne and Basel pack the party into a few intense days. All four are mostly outdoors, so dress for cold weather.
| Carnival | 2023 dates | Highlights for kids | Pram-friendly | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Venice | 4–21 February | costumes, masks, street performers | no (bridges) | free |
| Cologne | 16–21 February | sweets from floats, school parades | partly | free |
| Nice | 10–26 February | flower parades, giant figures | yes, in stands | mid-range |
| Basel | 27 February – 1 March | lanterns, fifes and drums, confetti | partly | budget |
| Menton (alternative) | 11–26 February | lemon and orange sculptures | yes | mid-range |
Price for a family to watch the main events: budget = under about €20, mid-range = about €20–80, premium = over €80. Free street events may still have paid seating; approximate, check the official site before you go.
See family attractions in Nice on the Kid.ooo map
What's in it for kids by age
Toddlers enjoy the colours and music from a calm spot, while school-age kids love collecting sweets and dressing up themselves.
- Babies and toddlers (0–3): short visits, a quiet viewing point and ear protection. Nice with its seated stands is the easiest.
- Preschoolers (3–6): costumes and sweets are everything. Cologne's Sunday parades and Basel's children's afternoon are perfect.
- School kids (6–12): the masks of Venice, the giant figures in Nice and the lantern parade in Basel feel truly magical.
- Teens: they will enjoy the music, the costumes and the crowds, especially in Cologne.
Top events: carnival with kids in four cities
Each city has one event that works best for families, so plan around it instead of trying to see everything.
Venice
The Carnevale di Venezia runs from 4 to 21 February 2023. Children love spotting the elaborate costumes and masks around St Mark's Square and in quieter squares away from the centre. Mask-making workshops are a fun idea for a rainy morning, and the sweet carnival fritters called frittelle are sold in bakeries all over town.
Cologne
The Kölner Karneval street carnival starts on Thursday 16 February with Women's Carnival Day and lasts until Shrove Tuesday. For families, the Sunday school and neighbourhood parades on 19 February are the highlight: they are shorter and calmer than the famous Rose Monday parade on 20 February. Bring a bag, because sweets called Kamelle rain down from the floats.
Nice
The Carnaval de Nice runs from 10 to 26 February 2023 with giant papier-mâché figures and the famous flower parades, where mimosas and other flowers are thrown into the crowd. Seats in the stands on Place Masséna make it easy to keep small children safe and warm.
Basel
The Basler Fasnacht starts with the Morgestraich at 4 am on Monday 27 February, when the city lights go out and huge lanterns fill the old town. Most families with small children skip the early start and come for the parades in the afternoon. Tuesday afternoon is the children's Fasnacht, when kids in costume take over the streets.
Practical: parking, prams and baby change
Leave the car outside the centre and use public transport; streets close for the parades and parking is very limited.
- Prams: fine in Nice and on wide streets in Cologne and Basel, but in Venice a baby carrier is far better.
- Baby change: museums, department stores and big cafés are your best bet. Public toilets get busy, so plan breaks before the parade.
- Noise: marching bands and drums are loud. Ear defenders for small children are a good idea.
- Safety: agree on a meeting point, write your phone number on your child's arm or in a pocket, and pick a spot near the edge of the crowd.
Where to eat nearby
Eat early, before or after the parade, because restaurants near the routes fill up fast. In Cologne and Basel, warm soup, sausages and pretzels from stalls are easy for kids. In Nice, socca (a chickpea pancake) and pizza slices are good snacks. In Venice, a stand-up snack in a bakery or a sandwich bar is quicker than a sit-down lunch.
Kid-friendly restaurants and cafés are on the Kid.ooo map. If you are combining carnival with a ski trip, our guide to family ski resorts in Europe can help you plan the rest of the holiday.
Alternatives if it's busy
If the big parades feel too crowded, pick a smaller event or a nearby town. The Fête du Citron in Menton, near Nice, runs from 11 to 26 February 2023 and has giant sculptures made from lemons and oranges, which children find fascinating. In Venice, the islands of Burano and Murano are calmer than St Mark's Square. In Cologne, almost every neighbourhood has its own small parade, so ask locally.
For more family travel ideas across France and Italy, follow @mamanvoyage on Instagram.
More kids attractions on the Kid.ooo map
Kid.ooo is a free kid-friendly places map where parents share playgrounds, cafés and attractions across Europe. Before you go, look up things to do with kids in Venice, Cologne, Nice or Basel, and save a playground or a warm café for the break between parades.
Find things to do with kids in Venice on the Kid.ooo map
Missing a place you loved? Add it to Kid.ooo and help the next family heading to carnival.
Frequently asked questions
Which European carnival is best for young children?
Nice and Cologne are the easiest with small children. Nice has seated stands and daytime flower parades, and in Cologne the Sunday school and neighbourhood parades are shorter and more relaxed than the big Rose Monday parade.
Can I take a pram to the Venice Carnival?
It is possible but hard work, because Venice has many bridges with steps and the crowds around St Mark's Square are dense. A baby carrier or a light buggy you can carry is a much better choice.
When is Basel Fasnacht 2023?
Basel Fasnacht 2023 starts with the Morgestraich at 4 am on Monday 27 February and runs until the early hours of Thursday 2 March. The Tuesday afternoon is traditionally the children's day, with lots of kids in costume.
What should children wear to carnival?
A warm costume that fits over a winter coat works best, because parades are long and February is cold. Add a hat, gloves, ear protection for loud bands and a bag for collecting sweets.
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