Events in Cologne
The big recurring events and festivals — carnival, street and city festivals and more.
Cologne Rose Monday Parade
since 1823 approx. 1 M visitorsGermany's largest and oldest Rose Monday parade — the "Zoch" has wound its way through Cologne for eight kilometres since 1823.
C/o pop
since 2004Cologne's music festival since 2004 combining live shows with an industry convention — born as the successor to Popkomm after it relocated to Berlin.
Cologne Pride
since 1991 approx. 1.1 M visitorsAnnual Cologne parade and festival week for gay and lesbian culture — among Germany's largest such events and one of Europe's biggest.
Gamescom
since 2009 approx. 357.000 visitorsThe world's largest trade fair for computer and video games, held annually in Cologne — featuring world and European premieres of new games and hardware.
Cologne Marathon
since 1997Germany's fifth-largest marathon: a flat loop course along the Rhine, star-shaped through downtown, finishing right at Cologne Cathedral.
Cologne Ghost Parade
since 1991Alternative carnival procession and political demonstration: since 1991, it winds through changing Cologne neighborhoods without a formal permit.
Kölner Lichter
since 2001 approx. 500.000 visitorsEurope's largest music-synchronized fireworks display: since 2001, spectacular pyrotechnics light up the Rhine each summer, accompanied by a convoy of ships.
Lit.Cologne
since 2001 approx. 111.000 visitorsEurope's largest literary festival, held annually in Cologne each spring since 2001, with around 200 events across the city.
