Kölner Weinwoche
May
This week-long celebration of wine is based around Neumarkt and features tastings and presentations headed up by both German and international winemakers.
Cologne Pride
July
Cologne has a reputation as a gay and lesbian hub, so it’s no surprise that its pride event is one of the biggest in Germany. Hundreds of thousands congregate every year to celebrate diversity and equality through the medium of processions, concerts and generally partying.
Summerjam Festival
July
The Caribbean comes to Cologne for a weekend in July, with hundreds of bands taking part in Europe’s biggest dancehall, reggae and world music festival. The event is based around Cologne’s picturesque Fühlinger See lake.
Kunstsalon – Musik in den Hausen
November
Perhaps the only festival in Europe where concerts are held in private houses and flats as well as in public venues, this musical weekend brightens up the Cologne winter. The focus is on jazz and classical music, but fans of other genres will find plenty to take their fancy too.
Cologne Carnival
November-March
Kicking off every year at 11 minutes past 11 on 11 November, the carnival season in Cologne runs right through until Ash Wednesday. The main parade is on Rose Monday and, throughout the festivities, locals greet one another with “Kölle Alaaf!” meaning “Cologne above all”.