Some of the most popular events are listed below. The city events website and the city magazine Klenkes list other events by calendar.
- Spring: Carnival. Experience the whole city and region becoming an outdoor and indoor party. (updated Aug 2022)
- Summer: Pinkpop festival. Enormous yearly music festival in Landgraaf just across the border to Netherlands. (updated Aug 2022)
- Summer: CHIO equestrian championship. Annual international horse riding championship and horse show. (updated Aug 2022)
- September: September special. Annual cultural and market event in the city center. (updated Aug 2022)
- November - December: Aachen Christmas Market (Aachener Weihnachtsmarkt) (Located in the city centre. Parking nearby can be an issue some days, so it may be wise to make use of the Park & Ride system organised especially for the market. See the website for more information.), ☏ +49 2 41 936 88 949, info@mac-aachen.de. 11:00 – 21:00 daily. From late November until 23 December, Aachen's Christmas market takes over Katschhof, Münsterplatz and the market square. Traders offer a wide variety of gift ideas, such as cosmetics, jewellery and ceramics, and there are plenty of opportunities to eat and drink your fill - a trip here wouldn't be complete without a glass of Glühwein ! If you need a break, take in a performance at the rear of the town hall (see the website for a detailed programme). The market looks particularly spectacular when lit up at night, set against the magnificent cathedral and town hall. Free entry.
