Festivals & Events in Cologne

Anuga

Regarded as the world's largest trade fair for the food industry: held every two years in Cologne, ten trade fairs under one roof, trade visitors only.

Art Cologne

The world's oldest contemporary art fair: founded in Cologne in 1967, now held annually at the Koelnmesse grounds in Deutz.

C/o pop

since 2004

Cologne's music festival since 2004 combining live shows with an industry convention — born as the successor to Popkomm after it relocated to Berlin.

Cologne Ghost Parade

since 1991

Alternative carnival procession and political demonstration: since 1991, it winds through changing Cologne neighborhoods without a formal permit.

Cologne Marathon

since 1997

Germany's fifth-largest marathon: a flat loop course along the Rhine, star-shaped through downtown, finishing right at Cologne Cathedral.

Cologne Paper Art

Specialist fair for contemporary and classic modern prints and works on and in paper, with around 60 galleries and editions in Cologne-Ehrenfeld.

Cologne Pride

since 1991 approx. 1.1 M visitors

3.7(7)· Google

Annual Cologne parade and festival week for gay and lesbian culture — among Germany's largest such events and one of Europe's biggest.

Highlight

Cologne Rose Monday Parade

since 1823 approx. 1 M visitors

Germany's largest and oldest Rose Monday parade — the "Zoch" has wound its way through Cologne for eight kilometres since 1823.

COLOUR Cologne

With around 10,000 guests, COLOUR Cologne is considered Germany's largest gay and lesbian dance event – held every year at the Lanxess Arena.

DMEXCO

Annual trade fair and conference for digital marketing and advertising, held since 2009 at the Koelnmesse grounds in Köln-Deutz.

Evoke

Since 1997 in and around Cologne: Evoke is Germany's oldest surviving demoparty, and each year it unfolds under its own motto.

FIBO

World's leading trade fair for fitness, wellness and health, held annually at the Cologne exhibition grounds since 1985.

Gamescom

since 2009 approx. 357.000 visitors

4.9(12)· Google

The world's largest trade fair for computer and video games, held annually in Cologne — featuring world and European premieres of new games and hardware.

Hörspielwiese Köln

Free open-air festival for radio drama and audio art in Cologne: classics, new productions, live radio plays and a prize for short radio dramas.

Intermot

Trade fair for motorcycles and scooters in Cologne, with a qualifier for the Custom Bike World Championship, the e-Motion Show for electric motorcycles and a February date from 2027.

Internationales Köln Comedy Festival

The annual Cologne comedy festival culminates in a televised gala at which the Deutscher Comedypreis, Germany's best-known comedy award, is presented.

Köln-Düsseldorfer Deutsche Rheinschiffahrt (KD)

Market leader for sightseeing and scheduled river cruises on the Rhine, Main and Moselle, with roots in the age of steamships: in 2026 the KD celebrates 200 years.

Kölner Lichter

since 2001 approx. 500.000 visitors

4.5(44)· Google

Europe's largest music-synchronized fireworks display: since 2001, spectacular pyrotechnics light up the Rhine each summer, accompanied by a convoy of ships.

Kölner Schull- un Veedelszöch

Sunday carnival parade where schools, local clubs, and neighborhood groups march through Cologne's city center and the Vringsveedel.

Kölner Sommerfestival

4.8(4)· Google

Bühne für Deutschlandpremieren internationaler Produktionen und Compagnien: Im Juli und August zeigt das Festival Tanz, Show und Musical in Köln.

Lit.Cologne

since 2001 approx. 111.000 visitors

Europe's largest literary festival, held annually in Cologne each spring since 2001, with around 200 events across the city.

Nubbel

A life-size straw effigy that serves as the scapegoat of Rhineland carnival, burned in the night before Ash Wednesday.

Phil.Cologne

With over 10,000 visitors a year, this Cologne festival is Europe's largest of its kind — philosophy performed live on stage.

Photokina

Photokina was the world's leading trade fair for photography, video and imaging, held in Cologne from 1950 to 2018.

Poetica – Festival of World Literature

Cologne festival of world literature that puts poetry at its center and brings poets from around the world into public conversation with scholars.

Sommerblut

since 2002

5.0(5)· Google

Inclusive Cologne culture festival since 2002, uniting theatre, dance and performance to bring society's margins and mainstream together.

Stunksitzung

Alternative cabaret carnival session in Cologne that deliberately breaks with formal traditions and provokes with political satire.

Festivals & Events