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 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.
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
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. Note that the map currently shows the 2025 participants; it will be updated when the 2026 information is ready.
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 10th 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 (the 2026 locations will be updated when they become available).
- 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, 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 • TBD
- 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!
- 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
FRIDAY, Feb 6th – Fasching Party at the Heidelberg
Fasching party on Friday, 2/14/2025 at The Heidelberg in Helen GA
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 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 11:00 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.
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 $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 7th
- TIME • 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm
- WEBSITE • facebook.com/share/18akkhjuZF
FRIDAY, Feb 13th – Fasching Party at the Heidelberg
Fasching party on Friday, 2/13/2025 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 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 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 $10 cover charge includes live music from Sonne Schnapps Trio.
- 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!