Every February, colourful, jesterly and even gruesome figures make their way through the country. Carnival – also known as the ‘fifth season’ – sees the celebration of the days just before the six weeks of Lent that lead up to Easter. With colourful wigs, crazy masks and fancy make-up, the costumed performers parade through the streets, sometimes on foot and sometimes on specially constructed floats. A sweet yeast cake is popular at this time. Named the Berliner, it’s made from egg, milk, and butter. The carnival is especially popular along the Rhine and around the cities of Cologne and Düsseldorf. But it’s also celebrated in other regions, such as in the south west of the country.