While in most catholic areas carnival 2018 finished last wednesday. Today, in protestant, Basle (Switzerland), the city where my Daughter lives and studies, at 04:00 hours in the morning the characteristic Carnival Cortége (“Morgenstreich”) is conducted accompanied by drummers and pipers, through the totally dark city, a jovial, yet serious melancholic atmosphere. The event combines unique musical instruments, creativity and ideas, and first-rate artistic performances. This is where 
socio-political topics, stories and current events are communicated in a typical Basel manner: proudly, with acerbic wit and biting humour. It recently has been added to the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list. A great example for how such an event can ‘make a place’.
See also: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMuCcC7s9mc