Thousands of Germans started partying before noon on Saturday as Carnival season officially kicked off at 11:11 am (1011 GMT).
People dressed as squirrels, Minions and other characters clinked beer bottles in the streets despite the light rain as the so-called fifth season began.
Police in the western German cities that take part in the pre-Lenten festivities, Dusseldorf and Cologne, were expecting more chaos than usual this year since the November 11 start date falls on a Saturday.
Some 1,000 officers were on patrol in Cologne, where more crowds were expected than in Dusseldorf, which only boosted it by foot patrols.
Events celebrating Carnival will now take place through February 2018 in the run-up to Lent, when Christians are called upon to fast and repent for their sins. It is mainly celebrated in Germany's Rhineland.
