Good versus evil, day versus night, spring versus winter: that’s what Tyrolean carnival celebrations are all about. From Epiphany on 6 January to Ash Wednesday, Tyrol’s “fifth season” (carnival season) delivers a wide range of parades, exuberant celebrations and original performances in and around Innsbruck. The old customs are loud and colourful but also mystical and mysterious. Artistic hand-carved masks and unusual dances summon the end of winter.
Carnival events
Traditions and customs
Streets filled with colour
An absolute must-see! Some of the varied carnival traditions in the Innsbruck region have even made it onto the UNESCO cultural heritage list. Although centuries-old, they are as vibrant as ever.
Every year on Unsinniger Donnerstag (the Thursday before Shrove Tuesday), Riders take on the thickly padded Wampeler in the village of Axams. During the parade, the Riders try to throw the Wampeler characters down onto their backs.
This colourful and traditional carnival parade only takes place every five years. The Schleicher and many other magnificent characters create a unique atmosphere.
Every year on Faschingsdienstag (Shrove Tuesday) or Unsinniger Donnerstag (the Thursday before Shrove Tuesday), a witch raises her broom and jumps around in a grotesque way to make people ring their bells.
Wearing impressive costumes made of corn husks, the Türggeler characters parade around the village of Zirl. Witches, the mythical Habergeiß and the Goggler (rooster) get in their way.
The most famous Tyrolean carnival characters
Colourful, loud and bizarre. Custom dictates exactly how the masked characters should move. Their elaborate costumes are made by hand with great skill and patience.
The witches
Omnipresent in the carnival season, witches embody winter, the terrible, the devilish and evil.
The lurkers
With bells on their backs, they move stealthily, only to suddenly and loudly stand up next to startled spectators.
The Tuxer
The Tuxer stands for the noble, easy-going Tyrolian who loves to drink. His mask has a friendly expression and he wears smart clothes.
The mirror duxer
Probably the most magnificent Tyrol carnival figure has an impressive 14-kilo headdress, which makes him stand out from the other figures.
The Zaggler
Almost 100 "Zagglen" or tassels are sewn onto the blue costumes. The Zagglers wear an unfriendly mask and make jerky movements.
The block maker
The wooden shingles on the robes are called "Klötzln". The noise created by movement is intended to make room for the figures that follow.
The Zottler
They are representatives of winter and therefore in a bad mood. The shaggers make their presence felt with rough movements and grim larvae.
The Melcher
Wearing a colorful scarf, leather trousers and an embroidered satchel (wide leather belt), they embody a young, cheerful person.
The white one
These figures are characterized by neat white clothing with red and green tassels, ribbons and bells. They hop forwards and backwards over sticks.
Wampeler
With their padded bellies made of hay, the Wampeler prance stolidly through the village. They wear a white linen shirt and a red skirt over their trousers.
See the region’s carnival parades live
Rumer Muller parade
Bell-ringing in Sistrans
Axamer Wampelerreiten
Telfer Schleicherlaufen
Schiane Gian in Igls
Carnival in Tyrol
What our bloggers have to say about Tyrolean carnival customs
#blog
Goaßl schnöllen – when the whips crack around Innsbruck
26.02.2025
#blog
Bandn giahn – Customs of the Axamer Fasnacht
11.02.2025
#blog
Schleicherlaufen in Telfs – a living tradition
06.02.2025
#blog
Telfer Schleicherlaufen – behind the scenes of a living tradition
31.01.2025
#blog
Carnival in Axams: the famous Wampelerreiten
12.02.2024
#blog
The procession of the Rumer Muller – UNESCO World Heritage Site
16.02.2023
#blog
The Strudelpeter and his fabulous carnival doughnuts
01.02.2023
#blog
The Patscher Schellenschlagerinnen: women conquered carnival customs
17.01.2023
#blog
The Carnival Museum in Telfs, Tirol, reopened its door
12.10.2020
#blog
Schleicherlaufen Carnival in Telfs, Tirol
10.02.2020
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