Helen Fasching in North Georgia
Around the world, Carnival and Mardi Gras celebrations 💜💛💚 are known as some of the most festive events of the year. In Alpine Helen, Georgia, this pre-Lent season is known as Fasching and brings weeks of fun celebrations, costume contests, parties, and a parade!
Fasching Dates 2026 Helen, Georgia
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Celebrate Fasching in Helen, GA
Every year in the weeks before Lent, the Bavarian town of Helen enjoys a season of celebration for Fasching. Gather friends and your favorite costumes to enjoy themed parties with live music that happen at multiple locations across town.
Fasching Helen GA Events
Check the 2026 Helen Fasching schedule below for local events that include live German music, costume contests, and even a parade with “Schnapps Stops!”
What is Fasching?
Fasching events are indulgent pre-Lent celebrations in some German-speaking countries that lead to the final day of the Fasching season on Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday).
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the 40-day-long period of Lent and the end of Fasching. However, no matter your religious beliefs, everyone is invited to celebrate Fasching in Helen, GA.
Whether you intend to experience it all (which no longer includes the post-parade winter float down the Chattahoochee River) or simply attend the festive indoor parties at night, Fasching in Helen is a great way to experience a well-known holiday with a few Georgian and German touches.
2026 Fasching Schedule
Fasching 2026 Helen Georgia Schedule UPDATED
Mark your calendars for a wide variety of events and ways to celebrate Fasching in Helen. The 2026 Helen Fasching events are hosted by different groups and held at multiple locations around town.
- January 30, 2026 – Helen Hüttengaudi Pub Crawl and Scavenger Hunt (Day 1 of 2)
- January 30, 2026 – Fasching Party at Cowboys & Angels
- January 31, 2026 – Helen Hüttengaudi Pub Crawl and Scavenger Hunt (Day 2 of 2)
- January 31, 2026 – Fasching Party at Hofbräuhaus Restaurant
- February 6, 2026 – Fasching Party at The Heidelberg
- February 7, 2026 – 15th Annual Faschingsverein Helen Sidewalk Parade
- February 7, 2026 – Fasching Party at The Helendorf River Inn
- February 13, 2026 – Fasching Party at The Heidelberg
- February 14, 2026 – Fasching Party at Helen Festhalle
In addition to these special events, customers who show up in costume or wearing beads during the 3 weekends of Fasching get a discount at:
- Das Ice Cream 705 Brucken Strasse, Suite 108-A, Helen: 10% discount
- Helen Hat Company 8614 N Main St, Helen: 20% discount in the upstairs store and 50% discount in the downstairs store
- The Watering Hole Bar & Grill 5012 Helen Hwy, Sautee: 10% discount (excluding alcohol)
2026 Fasching Event Map
Enjoy Helen’s most iconic places at the 2026 Fasching events! The interactive map below highlights pub crawl and scavenger hunt stops, Fasching parties, and other great attractions in the area.
2026 Fasching Event Details
Learn more about each of the 2026 Helen, GA, Fasching events below.
FRIDAY, Jan 30th – Hüttengaudi Pub Crawl & Scavenger Hunt (Day 1 of 2)
In Alpine Helen, the 11th Annual Helen Hüttengaudi begins with a 2-day pub crawl and a scavenger hunt.
Pick up a game card at any participating business (or the Welcome Center) and venture around Helen to get cards punched and collect clue answers. The person who collects the most (correct) answers to the scavenger hunt clues and has the most punches from participating businesses will win a 2-liter oak barrel!
- Pick up a card at any of the participating businesses
- Collect card punches from participating businesses AND complete/correct scavenger hunt answers
- Turn in your game card at Hofbrauhaus by 6:00 pm on Saturday
- The winner will be announced at 6:30 pm (must be present to win)
Clear your schedule to give yourself enough time to visit all stops on the 2026 Hüttengaudi Pub Crawl Scavenger Hunt. Plan your route through town with the interactive map.
- Alpine Brew Deck – 15% off for participants (excluding alcohol)
- Alpine Pizza Garden – 15% off for participants (excluding alcohol)
- Bangkok Haus – $1 off Warsteiner / $5 Long Island
- Bigg Daddy’s – 10% off for participants (excluding alcohol)
- Bodensee Restaurant – 10% off for participants (excluding alcohol)
- Café International – 10% off for participants (excluding alcohol)
- Campfire – 10% off appetizers
- Cowboys & Angels – 1 L souvenir mug with beer ($10 import / $8 domestic), $5 fireball shots, and 10% off food purchase
- Christoff’s Seventy Six – $10 souvenir mug refills
- The Heidelberg – $5 Fruh Kolsch and $4 shots apfelkorn
- Hofbrauhaus Restaurant & Pub – $4 beers and $8 ciders
- King Ludwig’s Biergarten – $5 Jager shots
- La Cabaña Mexican Restaurant – $5 House Margarita
- Monday’s Pub – 10% off food for participants (excluding alcohol)
- Pink Pig Southern BBQ – 1 L souvenir mug with beer ($10 import / $8 domestic) and 10% off food purchase
- Q’Paso Latin Grub – 15% off for participants (excluding alcohol)
- Spice 55 Thai and Sushi Bar – 10% off for participants (excluding alcohol)
At publishing time, these businesses that participated last year will not be offering discounts or game card stamps in 2026: Alpine Café, Betty’s Country Store, The Heidi Haus, Hofer’s of Helen, and The Troll Tavern & Restaurant.
FRIDAY, Jan 30th – Fasching Party at Cowboys & Angels
Relax after your first day of the pub crawl with the first Fasching party of the season at Cowboys & Angels. Enjoy live music with food and drinks.
- VENUE • Cowboys & Angels
- ADDRESS • 60 Chattahoochee St, Ste 303, Helen, GA
- DATE • Friday, January 30th
- TIME • 5 pm til your mask falls off
- WEBSITE • Watch Facebook for Updates
SATURDAY, Jan 31st – Hüttengaudi Pub Crawl & Scavenger Hunt (Day 2 of 2)
The pub crawl is fun enough, but there is also a valuable prize for the scavenger hunt winner! Day 2 of the pub crawl ends with a party and an event to announce the scavenger hunt winner!
- Visit the remaining businesses for the scavenger hunt during the day
- TURN IN the GAME CARD for the Hüttengaudi Pub Crawl Scavenger Hunt at the Hofbrauhaus by 6:00 pm on Saturday, 1/31
- The Hüttengaudi Pub Crawl and Scavenger Hunt prize winner will be announced at the Hofbräuhaus at 6:30 pm
- Must be present to win
- Learn more about the event at facebook.com/share/1McBJiLMrj
SATURDAY, Jan 31st – Fasching Party at Hofbrauhaus Restaurant
Hofbrauhaus Helen GA
After a busy weekend of Helen pub crawling, head to the Hofbauhaus to find out which of your pub-crawling friends won the Scavenger Hunt prize by visiting the most places and answering the most clues!
- VENUE • Hofbrauhaus Restaurant
- ADDRESS • 9001 N Main St, Helen, GA
- DATE • Saturday, January 31st
- TIME • 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm
- WEBSITE • Watch Facebook to learn more about details
Fasching Fashion & Fun Finds
T-shirts • Stickers • Mugs • Hats • Posters • Tote Bags & more!
FRIDAY, Feb 6th – Fasching Party at the Heidelberg
Get excited for Fasching season in Helen, Georgia. Head over to The Heidelberg in the heart of Helen’s White Horse Square for an excellent meal in the restaurant, followed by live music on the 3rd floor!
- VENUE • The Heidelberg
- ADDRESS • 8660 N Main Street, Helen, GA
- DATE • Friday, February 6th
- TIME • 7:00 pm
- WEBSITE • facebook.com/theheidelberghelen
SATURDAY, Feb 7th – 15th Annual Fasching Sidewalk Parade
Get in on the fun and participate in the 14th Annual Fasching Parade! The parade strolls past local establishments and visits designated “Schnapps Stops” along the way, adding to the fun.
To join the parade, arrive at the Helendorf River Inn & Conference Center between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm to register. There is no charge to walk in the parade, but it’s $20 cash for an armband to participate in the Schnapps Stops (pay for this during parade registration). The parade leaves the Helendorf at 1:00 pm.
Although the sidewalk parade used to end with a polar-bear-style chilly float down the Chattahoochee River through Helen, this has been discontinued for insurance reasons.
SATURDAY, Feb 7th – Fasching Party at the Helendorf River Inn
After an exciting day of the colorful Fasching parade and chilly Chattahoochee tubing, head to the Helendorf River Inn for a lively Fasching party at night. A $10 cover charge includes live music by Gluckliches Fasching Band. Remember that refreshments are BYOB for this event (including drinks, mixers, soft drinks, and snacks).
- VENUE • Helendorf River Inn, Suites, & Conference Center
- ADDRESS • 33 Munich Strasse, Helen, GA
- DATE • Saturday, February 7th
- TIME • 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm
- WEBSITE • facebook.com/share/1CMzpsf1uq
FRIDAY, Feb 13th – Fasching Party at the Heidelberg
Fasching party on Friday, 2/13/2026 at The Heidelberg in Helen GA
Enjoy another great Fasching party at The Heidelberg in the heart of Helen’s White Horse Square. Arrive early for a meal in the restaurant, followed by live music in the Bierhimmel Konzerthalle on the 3rd floor! Free admission!
- VENUE • The Heidelberg
- ADDRESS • 8660 N Main Street, Helen, GA
- DATE • Friday, February 13th
- TIME • 7:00 pm
- WEBSITE • facebook.com/theheidelberghelen
SATURDAY, Feb 14th – Fasching Party at Helen Festhalle
Celebrate German Mardis Gras with live German music, dancing, and fun at the Helen Festhalle!
Costumes are not required, but the best ones are eligible to win prizes for best male costume, best female costume, and best overall presentation! A $15 cover charge includes live music!
- VENUE • Helen Festhalle
- ADDRESS • 1074 Edelweiss Strasse, Helen, GA
- DATE • Saturday, February 14
- TIME • 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
- WEBSITE • helenchamber.com/events/fasching
Lodging Near Helen Fasching Events
Enjoy the convenience of the walkable small-town environment and book your stay near the Helen Fasching events. Use the interactive booking map below to find the perfect riverfront hotel, condo, or rental home. Enter your travel dates to see current pricing and availability for your next trip!
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For more great ways to enjoy your time in Alpine Helen, Georgia, check out these links:
- The Ultimate Guide to the Helen GA Oktoberfest (Helen’s biggest event!)
- Waterfront Dining in the Georgia Mountains
- Best Restaurants in Helen, GA
- Top 15 Places to See Live Music in Helen, GA
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Fasching 2026 Helen Georgia Schedule UPDATED
What sounds like the most fun part of Fasching for you?
I have been to Mardi Gras a few times. It is fun, but basically the same year to year. Never having heard of Fasching in Helen, Georgia, I read your article out of curiosity. Wow! What a comprehensive guide brochure you have written for this festival. We can’t make it this year, but Fasching in Helen is going on the calendar for 2024. We have family on the east coast to visit who will be happy to join us. Thanks for taking the time write such a comprehensive article on this celebration.
Jim
Hi Jim! Thanks so much for sharing. Fasching is a great time to enjoy the distinct spirit of Alpine Helen! With the chilly Chattahoochee River tubing after the parade, Helen’s Fasching should provide a unique experience that you’ll remember for years! We’ll see y’all in 2024!
Hey Alyce, thank you for the article! You were so detailed about the event that I feel like you almost helped plan an entire trip all the way down to different places to stay in the area! I grew up in the south and I have been to Georgia several times throughout my life, however I have never heard of Fashing! This is definitely something I would love to go to and experience.
Hi Cody! There are lots of Fasching celebrations in Helen to choose from, so I’m glad to hear that you feel like you know what to expect and how to best enjoy your trip! Cheers!!
Thanks for the interesting article about Fasching in Helen GA. Most everyone has heard of Mardi Gras, but I’ll bet that Fasching is a new one for many people. It looks like a great time!
From the post, it seems like there are plenty of events and things to do during the festival. I also love that it’s a tradition that’s been celebrated for so many years.
I’m curious to know what the atmosphere is like and what kind of activities are offered. What types of costumes do people typically wear?
Fasching looks like a fun event and I would like to go to it in the future.
Hi Bob Roman! The Helen Fasching celebrations are a series of events hosted by different local groups in the weeks leading up to Lent. Expect festivities that include costume parties with prizes, a parade, a pub crawl, and even a polar-bear-style river float!