Students Participate in Special German Cultural Celebration

Cheers, laughter, and excitement filled the main hall of the Cleveland Hofbräuhaus on Thursday, February 12, 2026, as students from German classes at Brecksville-Broadview Heights Middle and High School, along with five other school districts, joined together to observe Weiberfastnacht, an annual German cultural celebration. The yearly field trip to the Hofbräuhaus in downtown Cleveland takes place each year on Weiberfastnacht, which is observed on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday, and marks the official start of a whole week of street Karneval festivities, which feature costumes and parades. In the United States, the celebration is known as Carnival, Mardi Gras, and Fat Tuesday. The namesake of the celebration, “Weiber,” which means “women” in German, is reflected with women taking a lead role in the various celebrations of the festival season.

Out of 425 total students from all participating schools, which included Green, Shaker Heights, Hudson, Kent Roosevelt, and Lake, approximately 144 students were from Brecksville-Broadview Heights. Students enjoyed a delicious buffet lunch along with dancing, singing, and an unforgettable time connecting with fellow German language learners from Northeast Ohio. In keeping with one of the most noteworthy traditions of Weiberfastnacht, female students used scissors to cut the ties of participating male students along with BBH German language teacher Mr. Moore, reflecting the theme of women taking control of the festive celebration. Thank you to all participating staff for providing our German language students an engaging and interactive way to explore German culture!