Cologne Events
Museumsnacht Köln (Museum Night Cologne)
Museumsnacht Köln (Museum Night Cologne) involves a coordinated throwing open of doors of the city's museums. Between 1900 and 0300, many different museums welcome in every kind of night owl while putting on a show that involves live music, tours, readings and films. Even better: you only need a single ticket to access all that's on offer.
Date: 04 February 2021 - 04 February 2021(Date to be confirmed)
Venue: Across the museums of Cologne.
Website: http://www.museumsnacht-koeln.de
Cost:
Various.
SummerJam
For three days revellers can get down to the bass-heavy sounds of reggae, dancehall and hip hop at the largest event of its kind in the country. Performances take place on different stages at the festival site. This fun event attracts some of the biggest names in reggae - past performers have included Asian Dub Foundation, Gregory Isaacs, Toots and the Maytals, Jimmy Cliff and Ziggy Marley.
Date: 02 July 2021 - 04 July 2021Website: http://summerjam.de
Cost:
Various.
ColognePride
Hundreds of thousands of revellers pack the city streets for the annual Cologne Pride/Christopher Street Day parade. One of the largest gay and lesbian events in Germany, the celebration aims to raise awareness and social acceptance of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transsexuals. The main event is the huge parade consisting of dancers, floats and sounds systems that makes its way through the city's streets. Other events take place throughout the city during the weekend.
Date: 02 July 2021 - 04 July 2021(Date to be confirmed)
Venue: Various venues and locations.
Website: http://www.colognepride.de
Cost:
Most events are free.
Kölner Lichter Musical Fireworks
For a bit of razzle-dazzle, head to Cologne in the summer to witness its extravagant firework display called Kölner Lichter. Watch from the river banks or from the river itself as the sky over Cologne’s Old Town lights up to the sound of music as the evening progresses.
Date: 10 July 2021 - 10 July 2021(Date to be confirmed)
Venue: Rheinufer.
Website: http://www.koelner-lichter.de
Cost:
Free.
Cologne Marathon
Like any self-respecting city these days, Cologne has its own marathon route. Thousands of participants pound the streets each year as they rack up their self-inflicted quota of 42 kilometres (26 miles). As a spectator, there’s a good chance of catching sight of some world-class athletes in action.
Date: 03 October 2021 - 03 October 2021Venue: Streets of Cologne.
Website: https://koeln-marathon.de/
Cost:
Free to spectate.
Weihnachtsmärkte (Christmas Markets)
Seven markets offering food, drink and crafts plus events and Advent boat trips.
Date: 15 November 2021 - 31 December 2021(Date to be confirmed)
Venue: Around the centre of Cologne.
Website: http://www.germany-christmas-market.org.uk/cologne_christmas_market.php
Cost:
Free.
Carnival Cologne
One of the biggest events on the calendar, carnival sweeps across the city each year as a vibrant display of how to have a good time. Expect lots of fancy dress, plenty of parties, parades and not an awful lot of sobriety. There's ceremonial burning of straw figures, bouquets of flowers and sweets being thrown from the floats and cries of "Kölle Alaaf". ('Cologne above all else!').
Date: 01 February 2022 - 31 March 2022(Date to be confirmed)
Venue: Streets of Cologne.
Website: http://www.koelnerkarneval.de
Cost:
Various.
