Cologne Events and Festivals

(Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany)

Along with several significant Christian-based celebrations, Cologne breaks with tradition to provide visitors with an outstanding array of modern opportunities to guzzle German wine and beer, appreciate music and celebrate worthy causes.

Among the year's highlights are Carnival season, when parades take over the streets, which are replaced later in the year by booty shaking gays and lesbians during Cologne Pride.

Offering a wealth of things to see and do in Cologne and popular festivals and events are included in the city's listings magazines Monatsvorschau (part English language), Kölner Illustrierte, Prinz and StadtRevue, which are available at bookshops and newsagent.

National Public Holidays

• 1st January (New Year's Day)
• Late March or early April - Good Friday / Easter Sunday / Easter Monday
• 1st May (Labour Day)
• Early May - Ascension Day, 40 days after Easter
• May / June - Whit / Pentecost Sunday and Monday
• 3rd October (Day of German Unity)
• 25th December (Christmas Day)
• 26th December (Boxing Day / St. Stephen's Day)

Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

January

• New Year's Day - this public holiday is normally a very quiet day, with most people preferring to spend the day in bed recovering from the night before. Traditionally, New Year's resolutions are made on this day in an effort to give up bad habits
• Kunstsalon - Musik in den Hausen festival is unique in that the concerts are held in private houses and flats as well as public venues. The intimate environment makes the music all that more special, with jazz, classical and improvised music in the line up

February

• Karneval (Carnival) - the carnival season takes place during the first week of February and is one of the city's festival highlights. Cologne's market areas fill with activities, while parades and floats wind through the city's streets so that residents can celebrate along with costumed participants

March

• There are no significant events and festivals in Cologne in March

April

• Easter - this event has lost its religious significance for many Germans and has taken on a largely commercial form, with shops cashing in on chocolate eggs and toys. The Cologne Cathedral however hosts religious services commemorating the crucifixion and the resurrection of Christ on both Good Friday and Easter Monday respectively

May

• Labour Day - held on 1st May, this public holiday is a time for people to enjoy a break from work and let their hair down. Cologne's central cafés and pubs are very busy on this day with people enjoying the arrival of spring and a day off work
• Weinwoche - held 16th to 22nd May, this week-long event is perfect for wine lovers. Neumarkt comes alive with opportunities to drink, taste and buy delicious German wines at very reasonable prices. Most people do not need much encouragement to attend
• Verzaubert Festival - as one of Germany's more liberal cities, it comes as no surprise that Cologne is the host of a significant gay and lesbian weekend-long film festival. Gay themed films are screened across the city, and hetrosexuals are welcomed to the event with open arms

June

• Cologne Friedenslauf - held on 15th June, also referred to as the Cologne Peace Run, this race, in protest against the nuclear arms race, is not to be confused with the Ford Koln Marathon. Since 1988, the race has been held in Cologne annually. Participants must run a 10-km / 6-mile route and there are no-frills prizes for the winner and two runners up
• Romanische Sommer - held on 22nd June each year, music, light and the architecture of the St Maria im Kapitol Church are combined to bring you a sensational performance
• Jamboree Festival - this musical event sees concerts being held at the Fhlinger See, with the focus being on rhythm and blues

July

• Cologne Pride - as a gay and lesbian hub, the city has no problem mustering a crowd to celebrate gay pride. The streets and clubs are electric during the weekend-long celebration when you should expect nothing less than non-stop partying

August

• Ringfest - enjoy this weekend-long summer music festival along with thousands of others who gather to enjoy pop music performances. Up to 1,000 bands take part, with concerts held at the Ring. Food stalls stretch between Rudolfplatz and Christophstrasse ensuring music lovers are not hungry

September

• Kölner Bücherherbst - held in the first half of September, this four-day event is a celebration of literature. Including readings, presentations by authors and the setting up of book stalls in Neumarkt, this is a great time for bookworms to visit the city

October

• German Unity Day - held on 3rd October, this national holiday commemorates the reunification of Germany in 1990, when East and West Germany merged to form the Federal Republic of Germany. Festivities and special events take place across the city
• Ford Köln Marathon - held annually in October, the marathon begins at the Bahnhof Deutz and finishes at Kölner Dom. Crowds line the streets to cheer on the runners and the atmosphere is electric, with most residents enjoying a few beers once the race is over
• Cologne International Comedy Festival - October is a busy month for Cologne and also a funny one, with this side-splitting festival sure to get a laugh or two out of you. Held at various theatres and clubs around the city, attendees can see stand-up comedians compete for the Best of Comedy Cup
• Feminale - also known as the International Women's Film Festival, this five-day event sees the screening of international and national films exclusively created by women. It is a chance for women to compete for the prestigious titles awarded by the event makers

November

• There are no significant events and festivals in Cologne in November

December

• Christmas Day - celebrated on the 25th December, families gather to swap presents, sing carols and dine on turkey. The Christmas market in the Old Market (Alter Markt) is held in the lead up to this day, offering gift ideas and traditional foods