Today the 11.11 at 11.11am begins the Carnival Season here, it originates from the Fasting period which begins 6 weeks before Easter.
a reason to celebrate
http://www.destination360.com/europe/germany/fasching
donald

Correction
Fasching begins 6 weeks before Lent not Easter

Donald, Do you not mean six weeks before Christmas?

Pamela here is an explanation
donald

Called different names (Karneval, Fasnet, Fosnat, Fastnacht) around the Germanic-speaking world, it is called Fasching primarily in the region around Munich. The word refers to the fasting period known as Lent, and the city of Munich really gets into the spirit of partying prior to the pious season of fasting. The season actually begins on the eleventh day of the eleventh month at 11:11 a.m. when the prince and princess are crowned. There is then a break to suitably observe the Christmas season and celebrate New Year (this is the time of year when the famous European Christmas Markets come to life). What is known as the "crazy" or "silly" season of Fasching begins in earnest on the seventh of January.

Pamela
Another "blast from the past"! struck just now. I remember Mr Woodende telling us in Hilden school about this tradition, introduced by the Romans. He said " It was an excuse for them to do their jazzing"!
donald