Cologne Events
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 cries of “Kölle Alaaf”. (‘Long Live Cologne!’).
Date: 28 February 2019 - 05 March 2019Venue: Streets of Cologne.
Website: http://www.koelnerkarneval.de
Cost:
Free to most events.
Romanischer Sommer
Cologne has some of the finest Romanesque churches in the world and they gather together to produce a summer festival of music performed at a variety of different churches. Expect a range of classical music, from string quartets to organ concertos and both solo and choral singing events. Piano recitals also feature, as do explorations of Chinese music.
Date: 01 June 2019 - 30 June 2019(Date to be confirmed)
Venue: Romanesque churches across Cologne.
Website: http://www.romanischer-sommer.de
Cologne Pride/Christopher Street Day
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: 22 June 2019 - 07 July 2019Venue: Various venues and locations.
Website: http://www.colognepride.de
Cost:
Most events are free.
SummerJam
For three days revellers can get down to the bass-heavy sounds of reggae music 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: 05 July 2019 - 07 July 2019Website: http://summerjam.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: 13 July 2019 - 13 July 2019Venue: Above Cologne's Old Town.
Website: http://www.koelner-lichter.de
Cost:
Various.
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: 13 October 2019 - 13 October 2019Venue: Streets of Cologne.
Website: https://koeln-marathon.de/
Cost:
Free to spectate.
Lange Nacht der Kölner Museen (Museum Night Cologne)
Lange Nacht der Kölner Museen (Long Night of the Cologne Museums), takes place one night every autumn and involves a coordinated throwing open of doors of the city’s museums. Between 1900 and 0500, 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: 01 November 2019 - 30 November 2019(Date to be confirmed)
Venue: Across the museums of Cologne.
Website: http://www.museumsnacht-koeln.de
Cost:
From €19. Children up to the age of 15 go free.
Weihnachtsmärkte (Christmas Markets)
Seven markets offering food, drink and crafts plus events and Advent boat trips.
Date: 01 November 2019 - 31 December 2019Venue: Around the centre of Cologne.
Website: http://www.germany-christmas-market.org.uk/cologne_christmas_market.php
Cost:
Free.
Kunstsalon – Musik in der Häusern der Stadt
This cool music festival takes its inspiration from a simple yet effective formula: to let private hosts provide platforms for young and emerging artists to express themselves by performing in private venues. Coordinated across Cologne, Hamburg and Bonn, the annual festival creates an intimate atmosphere for appreciating new music as well as drawing the cities together.
Date: 12 November 2019 - 17 November 2019Venue: Throughout the city.
Website: http://www.kunstsalon.de/festivals/musik-in-den-haeusern-der-stadt