Hallia Venezia – Schwäbisch Hall, Germany

Where: Schwäbisch Hall, Germany

When: Each year on the Sunday eight days before Carnival – February 3, 2013

Where To Stay: Schwäbisch Hall Hotels

Cost: Free

Venice Carnival meets the small medieval German town of Schwäbisch Hall.

The streets of Old Town and the steps of St. Michael become a colorful display of elaborate costumes and masks in the flavor of Venezia. Every year for the past fifteen years, the festival commences the week before Carnival Monday.

Masks can be purchased, and visitors and photographers can wander the town to witness the masque participants. At 2:00 p.m. on the Sunday of the festival is a large parade around Old Town to Venetian music.