- 1 Christmas Market (Weinachtsmarket):, Kölner Dom. One of the most famous Christmas markets, and a visit highlight for everyone who loves over-the-top Christmas ambience. Late November to December 23. (date needs fixing)
- Cologne Gay Pride (Christopher Street Day):. Cologne Pride is a large gay pride festival held in Cologne annually on the Heumarkt square. The event showcases music, a candle light vigil remembering those with HIV/AIDS, and on the final day of the festival a large parade is held. Up to a million people have attended the events. In 2026 the ColognePride takes place 19 June-5 July. (date needs fixing)
- Kölner Lichter (Cologne Lights):. A fireworks display on the Rhine lights up the sky between the Hohenzollern and Zoo bridges. The 2026 event takes place on 1 August. (date needs fixing)
- Karneval:. The biggest festivity in Cologne is the Winter carnival (or Fastelovend) in February. According to the official Cologne tourism website, "Its highlight is the street carnival taking place from Weiberfastnacht (the Thursday before Ash Wednesday, traditionally the day on which women take control of the city) to Karnevalsdienstag (Shrove Tuesday). On Rosenmontag (Shrove Monday) more than one and a half million people line Cologne's streets to watch the parade with the mad triad – the prince, farmer, and virgin – every year." (date needs fixing)
