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Cologne Events

ColognePride

Cologne celebrates the unique spirit of the LGBTQ+ community with a series of programmes, including the CSD Street Festival and CSD Parade.

Date: 24 June 2023 - 09 July 2023
Venue: Various venues and locations.
Website: https://www.colognepride.de/
Cost:

Most events are free.


SummerJam

If you like reggae and dancehall, head to this festival set on an island in Fühlinger See (a swimming lake) in Cologne.

Date: 30 June 2023 - 02 July 2023
Venue: Fühlinger See
Website: https://summerjam.de/de/
Cost:

Various.


Cologne Marathon

The Cologne Marathon combines elite running events with a fun-filled festival.

Date: 01 October 2023 - 01 October 2023
Venue: Streets of Cologne.
Website: https://koeln-marathon.de/
Cost:

Free to spectate.


Museumsnacht Köln (Museum Night Cologne)

Museumsnacht Köln (Museum Night Cologne) sees several museums and art venues putting on special events.

Date: 04 November 2023 - 04 November 2023
Venue: Various museums and art venues.
Website: https://www.museumsnacht-koeln.de/
Cost:

Various.


Weihnachtsmärkte (Christmas Markets)

Cologne has several Christmas markets, including Markt der Engel, Nikolausdorf, and also markets in various city quarters (known as "Veedel" in Cologne). Each market features a different theme, with surrounding venues offering thematic performances.

Date: 20 November 2023 - 23 December 2023
(Date to be confirmed)
Venue: Various.
Cost:

Free.


Kölner Karneval (Cologne Carnival )

In Cologne, the carnival season starts in November (the previous year) but goes into high gear six weeks before Easter. The Shrove Monday parade (Rosenmontag in German) is particularly noteworthy, in which you can expect elaborate floats, costumed dance groups, and marching bands parading through the city.

Date: 08 February 2024 - 13 February 2024
Venue: Streets of Cologne.
Website: http://www.koelnerkarneval.de
Cost:

Various.


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Stern am Rathaus

Nestled in the heart of the Altstadt, between the Rathaus and the Dom, this small family-run hotel couldn't wish for a more central location. There are only ninw rooms here, but each is spotlessly clean, modern in design, and equipped with everything you'd expect from an international chain hotel.

Savoy Hotel

The individually designed rooms in the Savoy are themed around different world destinations. So whether you're slumbering in the San Tropez suite or sleeping in the Samurai room, this smart boutique hotel allows you to travel the world without wandering any further than the wardrobe. It also has an excellent restaurant and spa facilities.

Excelsior Hotel Ernst

This grand dame of accommodation in Cologne continues to impress with its sweeping spiral staircases, great service and central location. Rooms come in beige and earth tones or calming blue and white. Taku, one of Cologne’s most exciting restaurants, is housed here and the Piano Bar offers an interesting range of cocktails.

Hyatt Regency Cologne

If you're looking for luxury and arresting views, Hyatt Regency Cologne fits the bill perfectly. The spacious, well-appointed rooms look out onto the Rhine and towards looming towers of the Dom. It also has an indoor pool, fitness club and spa, and a restaurant housed in a panoramic glass atrium.

Grand Hotel Schloss Bensberg

Visitors are easily dazzled by the Grand Hotel Schloss Bensberg. Housed in a renovated baroque palace, each of the 120 rooms and suites maintains a sense of grandeur while supplying all the mod cons. Look out for the midnight blue ceiling above the swimming pool and spa. It's a way out of town but the payoff for that is the easy access to horse riding and golf.

Centro Hotel Conti

Rooms at this cheerful hotel in the Belgian quarter are on the basic side, with a bed, small cupboard and small TV. The decor is no-frills as well, but it is good value and sits above a great Thai restaurant. It is also close to other restaurants and shops and has its own car park.