Fastnacht - Dance and Games in Nuremberg

The "fifth season" has delighted people for centuries. Based on customs firmly anchored in the church year, Nuremberg developed into a carnival stronghold in the late Middle Ages.

To mark the city's 975th anniversary, the special exhibition "Fastnacht. Dance and Games in Nuremberg" presents the fascinating history of Nuremberg's carnival, which looks back on almost 600 years of tradition.

In addition to a large number of carnival games that are still important today, which were performed in pubs and private homes, the people of Nuremberg organised the so-called Schembartlauf (masked run) as early as the 15th century. Participants paraded through the city centre in colourful costumes, playing "upside-down world" and handing out sweets. In just a few decades, the patricians turned the Schembartlauf into a pageant with ever more elaborate costumes.

The starting point for the exhibition are the precious Schembart books, which were produced in large numbers after the introduction of the Reformation. These found their way around the world and thus characterise the history of carnival in Nuremberg to this day.

But what happens when you scrutinise these books? A look at the protagonists quickly reveals political motives and the desire for power and prestige. And what did carnival in Nuremberg actually look like apart from the image it portrayed to the world? The exhibition invites you to join us in getting to the bottom of an early hype and to rediscover Nuremberg's carnival with interactive elements and an exciting educational and accompanying programme for young and old.

Last edited on 13.11.2025