Primal drums, paper dragons snaking through the skies, massive billowing feather plumes to make a peacock look pale, spandex and techno, otherworldly forest nymphs clad only in green paint and tattered rags—on a gorgeous light-drenched Sunday, Berlin’s annual Karneval der Kulturen lived up to its name once again.

I joined the happy, curious crowds at Hermannplatz and gave my Nikon free rein. Here are some impressions from the street parade.

Photos copyright of Caitlin Hardee, all rights reserved: