Calendar of Cultural 2024 / 2025 for the City of Cologne
Carnival of Cologne - From 11 november 11 p.m 11!
The Cologne carnival is a carnival that takes place every year in Cologne, Germany. Traditionally, the "fifth season" (carnival season) is declared open at 11 minutes past 11 on the 11th of November. The Carnival spirit is then temporarily suspended during the Advent and Christmas period, and picks up again in earnest in the New Year. The time of merrymaking in the streets is officially declared open at downtown square Alter Markt on the Thursday before the beginning of Lent. Street carnival, a week-long street festival, also called "the crazy days", takes place between the Thursday (Women’s Carnival Day - 27.02.2025) before Rose Monday and ends on Ash Wednesday. All through these days, "kölsch" folks go out masqueraded. The highlight of the carnival is Rosenmontag (03.03.2025), which takes place on the Monday. The typical greeting during the festival is "Kölle Alaaf!", a Kölsch phrase which can be translated as "Cologne alive!"
Every year there are 3 people (the Dreigestirn) who are granted the titles of Jungfrau, Prinz, and Bauer (virgin, prince and farmer), who pay a large sum of money for their privileges. The carnival prince is deemed to be the highest representative of the festivities, leading the main parades throughout the week. Traditionally, the Jungfrau "Virgin" is always portrayed by a man dressed as a Female.
The official carnival with its parades and stage shows (Sitzungen) is run by the Festkomitee Kölner Karneval (Cologne Carnival Celebration Committee), which was founded in 1823. Alongside there are many autonomous carnival events throughout the city's bars, clubs and local communities, including "Stunksitzung", a leftist comedy show caricaturing official carnival Sitzungen in style and poking fun at both traditional, conservative carnival as well as politics. Photo: © Festkomitee Kölner Karneval
• Date: 11 November at 11:11 am
• Site du Carnaval - www.koelnerkarneval.de
• Museum of Carnival - www.koelnerkarneval.de
• Guided tour on the Carnival - Tour-Agentur partner of LatLon
Opening of the Cologne Carnival
• Date: November 11 (11:11am)• www.koelnerkarneval.de
The Rosenmontag Parade 2024
• Date: March 3, 2025 (10h00)• www.koelner-karneval.org
Art Cologne
• Date: From 7 to 10 November 2024• www.artcologne.com
Wine Week at the Heumarkt
• Date: From .. to .. May 2025• www.koelner-weinwoche.de
Long Night of Techniques
• Date: Juli 3, 2026• www.nacht-der-technik.de
Festival Summerjam
• Date: From 4 to 6 July 2025• www.summerjam.de
Summer Festival at the Philharmonic
• Date: From .. June to .. July 2025• www.bb-promotion.com
ColognePride (CSD)
• Date: July 6, 2025• www.colognepride.de
Festival of Lights Kölner Lichter
• Date: August 30, 2025 (we hop)• www.koelner-lichter.de
Cologne Triathlon
• Date: September 7, 2025• www.koeln-city-triathlon.de
Cologne Marathon
• Date: October 5, 2025• koeln-marathon.de
Cologne Christmas Market
• Date: November 18 to December 23, 2024 (not 24.11)• www.koelnerweihnachtsmarkt.com
The Musical Dome in Cologne is the address for lovers of Musical Comedy, the most famous of which have been performed since its creation in 1996. Planned at the time as provisional, it was convincing and will continue to accommodate 1769 people until at least 2023. It is located on the shores of the Rhine, not far from the main station. Some Musicals are in German, others in English. Visit the site for more information. Photo: © Musical Dome Köln
Besides contemporary art with its galleries and Art Cologne, you will find in Cologne many works by artists of the Street Art movement in all its forms. These artists are very well organized in Cologne and abound with ideas to enrich the city. Open your eyes, everywhere! The two best districts are around Ehrenfeld station and in Belgisches Viertel (Belgian district) where there are two specialized galleries, KUNSt&So (Genter Str. 6 - Friday-Saturday 15-18h) and 30works (Pfeilstraße 47 - Tuesday to Saturday 12-18h).
