NewChristmas in Cologne means far more than a stroll through the Christmas market.
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Concerts · all dates
Events
What’s happening
in Cologne now.
Carnival, trade fairs, concerts at the Stadtgarten, Christopher Street Day — the key dates so you can plan your trip around them. Hotel rooms around trade fairs and Carnival are often booked out months in advance.
Carnival Feb
Koelnmesse
Concerts
Trade-fair hotel Cologne
To Koelnmesse
To Koelnmesse
by light rail.
Plan your trip from Reichenspergerplatz to the appropriate Koelnmesse entrance in the KVB journey planner. Allow for transfers and waiting times. Gamescom, Anuga, IDS, spoga+gafa and ANGA COM: see our guide for the trade-fair dates.
15min
By underground
Reichenspergerplatz → Messe/Deutz · no changes.
3km
As the crow flies
Right on the Rhine opposite the main station.
5
Leading fairs
Gamescom · Anuga · IDS · DMEXCO · Toy Fair.
24/7
Reception
Late arrival after a stand party? We’re here.
GamescomAugust · world’s largest video games fair
AnugaOctober · food and beverage industry
IDSMarch · dental industry (every 2 years)
spoga+gafaGarden & lifestyle
ANGA COMBroadband · TV · online
Getting to the fairCheck the current connection in the KVB journey planner
All articles
Dates
Dates
in detail.
Every event as its own article with background, tips, dates and the distance from the hotel. Click through — and plan your Cologne trip in good time.
New
NewStreet Carnival 2027 kicks off on 4 February with Weiberfastnacht. Rosenmontag falls on 8 February 2027, Ash Wednesday on 10 February.
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All upcoming events, trade fairs, concerts and seasonal highlights in Cologne at a glance.
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Snacks, coffee, cold drinks and hot meals – any time, in the main building with a lounge.
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Looking back: DMEXCO 2026 has ended. This article documents the 2026 edition. Please use the official organiser website for new dates and…
Read articleTo the cathedral: approx. 1.50 km · 20 min on foot. To the selected Reichenspergerplatz underground entrance: approx. 400 m · 6 min on foot.3 min read
Looking back: Cologne Pride 2026 has ended. This article documents the 2026 edition. Please consult the relevant organiser for current dates.
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Looking back: Easter 2026 has ended. This article documents the 2026 edition. Please consult the relevant organiser for current dates.
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Concerts & culture
Stages & dates in Cologne.
The main venues: Lanxess Arena, Palladium, Live Music Hall, E-Werk, Kulturkirche. For tickets: koelnticket.de or Eventim.
Schauspiel Köln (at Offenbachplatz, 10 min by underground), Theater am Dom (boulevard theatre), Oper Köln (currently at the Staatenhaus). Classical tip: the Cologne Philharmonie right by the Cathedral — acoustically one of the finest halls in Europe.
Summer concerts at the Stadtgarten (Venloer Straße 40; public transport via Friesenplatz), Tanzbrunnen on the Rhine, Cologne Festival, Summerjam (at Fühlinger See). Programmes are usually announced in April/May.
Season start: 11 Nov at 11:11am. Peak phase: Thursday (Weiberfastnacht) to Ash Wednesday in February/March. Highlight: Rose Monday with the great parade through the city centre. Hotels and restaurants are booked out far in advance — please reserve 4–6 months ahead.
Early July — one of the largest CSD demonstrations in Europe. A week of events culminates in a parade through the city centre. Hotel prices rise as they do for trade fairs — booking early pays off.
Also of interest
