What's up in Cologne?
What’s going on in Cologne this year? Which are the most exiting events to visit? From world-class trade fairs, football and sport events, concerts and festivals, art galleries and musicals to true Cologne originals like Carnival or our amazing Christmas markets – we´ll give you an overview about what to discover in the next two years and which are the most interesting events during that time. With the detailed dates you are able to plan your perfect time and check out when are the best events to visit Cologne. You´ll already know what to do while you’re here.
But what´s exactly “Karneval” and when does it starts?
The “fifth season of the year” as Carnival is called, begins on November 11th at 11:11 a.m. But the real “crazy days” do not start before the so-called Weiberfastnacht (Shrove Thursday), the Thursday before Rosenmontag (Carnival Monday). The “crazy days” of Carnival are celebrated with parties on the streets, in public squares and in pubs. Closing times for pubs and bars are suspended for the duration of the festival.
Because of this event, the city is very different to others, and with our saying “Cologne is the Latino City of Germany”.
Besides the world-famous”Kölner Karneval”, there are many events for everyone, spectacularly magical moments to discover.
Find out what’s going on in Cologne this year. From world-class trade fairs, sports events, concerts to true Cologne originals like carnival or our amazing Christmas markets – here you’ll find the all important events of 2020 in one place. Check out when is the best time to visit Cologne or what to do while you’re here.
January
01 – New Year’s Day
18 – 24 – IMM – The international furniture and interiors fair
February
2 – 5 – ISM – The world’s largest trade fair for sweets and snacks
8 – 10 – Spoga Horse Spring
14 – Valentine’s Day
20 – 26 – Karneval
March
6 – 8 – Beauty Düsseldorf – The international trade fair for cosmetics, nail and foot care, wellness and spa and the leading fair of the industry in Germany
April
2 – 5 – FIBO – The Leading International Trade Show for Fitness, Wellness & Health
23 – 26 – ART Cologne – An art fair for international art galleries presenting art of the 20th and 21st centuries in Cologne, Germany
10 – Good Friday
12 – Easter Sunday
13 – Easter Monday
May
01 – Labor Day
12 – 14 – ANGA COM – Where Broadband meets Content
27 -30 – Photokina – Imaging Unlimited
30 – Ascension Day
June
July
18 – Kölner Lichter – Germany’s biggest fireworks spectacle
August
25 – 29 – Gamescom – The world’s largest trade fair and event highlight for interactive games and entertainment
September
6 – 8 – Spoga Horse autumn – International Trade Fair for Equestrian Sports
17 -20 – kind+jugend – The Trade Show for Kids’ First Years
23 -24 – DMEXCO – The meeting place and a community for key players in digital business, marketing, and innovation
October
03 – German Unity Day
7 – 11 – Intermot – International Motorcycle, Scooter and E-Bike Fair
27 – 31 – Orgatec – New Visions of Work
31 – Halloween
November
01 – All Saints Day
16 – 19 – Compamed Düsseldorf – The leading international market place for the medical supplier
December
24 – Christmas Eve
25 – Christmas Day
26 – Boxing Day