Cologne

02.01.2026 20:00 | Innenstadt, 50668 Köln

03.01.2026 18:30 - 04.01.2026 00:30 | Willy-Brandt-Platz 3, 50679 Köln
The "Lachende Kölnarena" will once again transform the LANXESS arena into a vibrant center of Cologne carnival traditions from January to February 2026. Over the course of 15 evenings, musicians, dancers, and speakers will gather to celebrate the essence of carnival with humor, joie de vivre, and cultural diversity. Visitors can expect a multifaceted program ranging from renowned Kölsch bands like Bläck Fööss to dance groups from traditional guard formations and the iconic Cologne Triumvirate.

12.02.2026 00:00 - 13.02.2026 00:00 | Im Stadtgebiet, 50667 Köln
When is Carnival? During the six days between Weiberfastnacht — the Women’s Carnival — and Veilchendienstag — Violet Tuesday — the revellers, who are known as Jecken, come out in force to celebrate Carnival, which is also known as the “fifth season” of the year. As the saying has it, on Ash Wednesday it’s all over — but in the meantime, Cologne is turned upside down all over again every year. In fact, the street Carnival actually starts in the Alter Markt (Old Market) at 11:11 a.m. on Thursday — Weiberfastnacht — and continues until the evening of Violet Tuesday. The Street Carnival in Cologne is a unique folk festival in the Rhineland that casts its spell over millions of visitors year after year. If you travel here to enjoy the age-old traditions of smooching and swaying, you’re in good hands in the Carnival stronghold of Cologne with its 480 Carnival associations. The official course of the carnival days The fifth season begins long before the week of street carnival. The starting Signal for the upcoming session is given on 11.11. (Eleventh in Eleventh) and the time until Weiberfastnacht is bridged with meetings and foolish events.

14.03.2026 14:00 - 14.03.2026 16:00 | Heumarkt, 50676 Köln
Treat yourself to an enjoyable and entertaining afternoon in Cologne's famous cafés and let yourself be whisked away into the world of handmade chocolates, pastries, cakes, ice cream and tarts. We will visit three cafés in Cologne's historic city centre. A variety of treats await us here - try homemade delicacies and learn interesting facts about the discovery of coffee and the most expensive cake in the world. Is there a traditional pastry in Cologne? Find out about the lustful chocolate relationship in which Louis XIV was involved at his court. Leave everyday life behind and enjoy a sweet treat. Attention: Only in German

03.07.2026 18:00 - 04.07.2026 00:00 | Im Stadtgebiet, 50667 Köln
The Night of Technology on July 3, 2026 opens the doors to over 50 exciting stations throughout the city of Cologne. Visitors will have the opportunity to take part in unique guided tours and take a look behind the scenes of innovative technical professions.

01.08.2026 15:00 - 02.08.2026 00:00 | Innenstadt, 50668 Köln
Fire painters use the world's largest canvas: the night sky – and illuminate it with their precisely timed firing sequences, down to the hundredth of a minute, to transform a firework display into a true light artwork. These fleeting moments of overwhelming sensuality are difficult for a photograph to truly capture. Since 2001, countless such moments have etched themselves into the hearts of both Cologne’s locals and visitors from around the world: as Cologne Lights. As Europe’s largest music-synchronized firework display, attracting several hundred thousand visitors annually, this event has been one of the year's highlights for many years. As soon as the summer night settles over Cologne, the magic begins! From the Rhine Shores, Grandstands, Restaurants, or ShipsAs a visitor, you can experience Cologne Lights live and free of charge – from the large visitor areas on both sides of the Rhine, between the Hohenzollern Bridge and the Bastei. Here, the firework music is also broadcast from sound towers. Alternatively, for a more exclusive atmosphere and added comfort, along with accompanying refreshments, you can enjoy the spectacle aboard Cologne’s passenger ships. From their outdoor decks or panoramic windows, you’ll have a direct view of the luminous artwork on the Rhine. If you prefer the stability of solid ground with less crowds, reserved grandstands and terraces offer fewer visitors, private beverage and snack stands, restroom facilities, and gastronomical setups. These often include all-inclusive arrangements specially designed for Cologne Lights, ensuring a perfect spot for you. A Sensory Highlight – Even from a DistanceCologne Lights are visible from far and wide. To ensure you can enjoy the full experience of the music-synchronized fireworks even at a distance, Radio Köln broadcasts the firework music live and in sync on frequency 107.1. 2026: Cologne Lights ReturnThe Cologne Lights were first held in 2001. However, the origins of this idea trace back to the 19th century, when fireworks displays were launched from a ship in the middle of the Rhine for celebratory events. From 2020 to 2024, the Cologne Lights paused – and for five long years, the hearts of firework enthusiasts ached. In 2026, Cologne Lights will rise again to illuminate Cologne’s summer night sky – as always accompanied by a convoy of ships, music, and a vibrant atmosphere on grandstands, in restaurants, and on the visitor shores along the Rhine. At the helm of this spectacular light show, as in previous years: Chief Pyrotechnician Georg Alef.