Celebrate Good Over Evil at Fasnacht

Fasnacht only happens once every four years, so if it coincides with your trip to Innsbruck, it’s definitely worth checking out. This rare festival illustrates the great struggle between good and evil and incorporates loads of cool events you won’t see anywhere else. The celebrations are held between January 6 (Epiphany) and Ash Wednesday, similar to Carnivals throughout the rest of the world. The intense program includes many different parades with locals dressed in all kinds of crazy costumes, incredibly loud music concerts, and street parties that never seem to end.

Each of the carefully selected costumes you'll see throughout the festival represents a significant idea. For instance, "Tuxers" stands for sociable locals who enjoy a drink, "Witches" represent anything terrible, and "Zottlers" stands for an unwelcome winter. Each year, the precise dates and the program vary. To find out what's going on while you're there, it's a good idea to visit the city's website and keep an eye out for posters.