Festivals & Events in Cologne

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 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.

Gamescom

since 2009 approx. 357.000 visitors

4.9(7)· 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.

Kölner Lichter

since 2001 approx. 500.000 visitors

4.8(30)· Google

Europe'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 visitors

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

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.

Festivals & Events