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!

 

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.

Check the 2025 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 (including a winter float down the Chattahoochee River after the parade) 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.

 

2025 Fasching Schedule

Mark your calendars for a wide variety of events and ways to celebrate Fasching in Helen. The 2025 Helen Fasching events are hosted by different groups and held at multiple locations around town.

• February 7, 2025 – Helen Hüttengaudi Pub Crawl and Scavenger Hunt (Day 1 of 2)
• February 7, 2025 – Fasching Party at Cowboys & Angels
• February 8, 2025 – Helen Hüttengaudi Pub Crawl and Scavenger Hunt (Day 2 of 2)
• February 8, 2025 – Fasching Party at Hofbrauhaus Restaurant
• February 14, 2025 – Fasching Party at The Heidelberg
• February 15, 2025 – Fasching Party at Helen Festhalle
• February 21, 2025 – Fasching Party at The Heidelberg
• February 22, 2025 – 14th Annual Faschingsverein Helen Sidewalk & Tubing Parade
• February 22, 2025 – Fasching Party at Helendorf River Inn

Note to check the weather for updates regarding the River Tubing event — it may be canceled due to current or recent weather conditions.

 

2025 Fasching Event Map

Enjoy Helen’s most iconic places at the 2025 Fasching events! The interactive map below highlights pub crawl and scavenger hunt stops, Fasching parties, and other great area attractions. Note that the map currently shows the 2024 participants – the map will be updated when the 2025 information is ready.

 

2025 Fasching Event Details

Learn more about each of the 2025 Helen GA Fasching events below.

 

FRIDAY, Feb 7th – Hüttengaudi Pub Crawl & Scavenger Hunt (Day 1 of 2)

In Alpine Helen, the 9th Annual Helen Hüttengaudi begins with a 2-day pub crawl and a scavenger hunt.

Pick up a game card at any participating business 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 2025 Hüttengaudi Pub Crawl Scavenger Hunt. Plan your route through town with the interactive map (see above). 

• Alpine Brew Deck – 15% off for participants (excluding alcohol)
• Alpine Café – 15% off for participants (excluding alcohol)
• Alpine Pizza Garden – 15% off for participants (excluding alcohol)
• Bangkok Haus – $1 off Warsteiner / $5 House Margaritas
• Betty’s Country Store
• Bodensee Restaurant
• Café International – 10% off (excluding alcohol)
• Cowboys & Angels – 1 L souvenir mug with beer ($10 import / $8 domestic) and $5 fireball shots
• Heidelberg – $5 Fruh Kolsch and $4 shots apfelkorn
• The Heidi Haus – $3 Konig Ludwig Helles and $7 Kielbasa/Sauteed Onion plate
• Hofbrauhaus Restaurant & Pub – $4 beers and $8 ciders
• Hofer’s of Helen – 10% off of food items
• King Ludwig’s Biergarten – $5 Jager shots
• La Cabaña Mexican Restaurant – $5 House Margarita
• Spice 55 Thai and Sushi Bar –  10% off for participants (excluding alcohol)
• The Troll Tavern & Restaurant

 

FRIDAY, Feb 7th – 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, February 7th
• TIME  •  5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
• WEBSITE  •  facebook.com/share/1Dxg1c19ey

 

SATURDAY, Feb 8th – 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!

• TURN IN the GAME CARD for the Hüttengaudi Pub Crawl Scavenger Hunt at the Hofbrauhaus by 6:00 pm on Saturday, 2/8
• The Hüttengaudi Pub Crawl and Scavenger Hunt prize winner will be announced at the Hofbrauhaus at 6:30 pm
• Must be present to win
• Learn more about the event at facebook.com/share/1McBJiLMrj

 

SATURDAY, Feb 8th – Fasching Party at Hofbrauhaus Restaurant

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, February 8
• TIME  •  6:00 pm – 11:00 pm
• WEBSITE  •  Learn more about the event at facebook.com/share/1McBJiLMrj

 

FRIDAY, Feb 14th – Fasching Party at the Heidelberg

Get excited for a holiday overlap with a Valentine’s party 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 by The Psychedelic Mushrooms in the Bierhimmel Konzerthalle on the 3rd floor! Free admission

• VENUE  •  The Heidelberg
• ADDRESS  •  8660 N Main Street, Helen, GA
• DATE  •  Friday, February 14th
• TIME  •  7:00 pm
• WEBSITE  •  facebook.com/theheidelberghelen

 

SATURDAY, Feb 15th – 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 $10 cover charge includes live music from Sonne Schnapps Trio.

• VENUE  •  Helen Festhalle
• ADDRESS  •  1074 Edelweiss Strasse, Helen, GA
• DATE  •  Saturday, February 15
• TIME  •  7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
• WEBSITE  •  helenchamber.com/events/fasching

 

FRIDAY, Feb 21st – Fasching Party at the Heidelberg

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 by The Gluckliches Band in the Bierhimmel Konzerthalle on the 3rd floor! Free admission!

• VENUE  •  The Heidelberg
• ADDRESS  •  8660 N Main Street, Helen, GA
• DATE  •  Friday, February 21st
• TIME  •  7:00 pm
• WEBSITE  •  facebook.com/theheidelberghelen

 

SATURDAY, Feb 22nd – 14th Annual Fasching Sidewalk and Tubing Parade

Get in on the fun and participate in the 14th Annual Fasching Parade! The parade strolls by local establishments and visits designated “Schnapps Stops” along the way to add to the fun.

To join the parade, arrive at the Helendorf River Inn & Conference Center between 11:00 am and 12:30 pm to register. Pick up an armband during registration to participate in the Schnapps Stops (available for $20 with a valid ID).

The parade leaves the Helendorf at 1:00 pm.

At the end of the Fasching parade, anyone interested in a polar-bear-style chilly river float can take advantage of free tube rental for a short float down the Chattahoochee River through Helen. Pick up tubes at the end of the parade at the Riverbend Motel and turn them in at the take-out at the Helen Festhalle Biergarten. Limited to the first 100 registrants.

Note that tubing will be canceled if the river is too high or too fast to be safe.

 

SATURDAY, Feb 22nd – Fasching Party at the Helendorf

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 $5 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 22nd
• TIME  •  6:00 pm – 11:00 pm
• WEBSITE  •  facebook.com/share/18akkhjuZF

 

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!

***

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

***

Thank you for sharing and saving this post!

What sounds like the most fun part of Fasching for you? Would you be willing to float down the Chattahoochee River in the Winter or the snow??