PHOTO: © glenn-carstens-peters via Unsplash
What's happening in 2026? - Events in Cologne
Many wonderful events and happenings await you again in Cologne in 2026. We've put together a list of our highlight events in Cologne in 2026 - from carnival to c/o pop and the Film Festival Cologne: there's guaranteed to be something for everyone! 🪩
👉 Want to find the love of your life in 2026? 💘 Then join the Love At First Slide dating event
👉 Time for a breath of fresh air in the new year! Discover your new favorite artists at a Geheimkonzerte! 🎶
👉 Here you can find new openings from the past year that you may not yet have on your radar ☂️
January
Charity Neujahrsbaden 2.0 am Blackfoot Beach
© Blackfoot Beach
Charity New Year's swim: Into the cold water, out with goosebumps and feelings of happiness! For €10, you get an adrenaline rush, a certificate, hot tea and you even make a donation - the perfect start to the year, right?
All infos for the event Charity Neujahrsbaden 2.0 am Blackfoot BeachWinterjazz Köln 2026
Sa, 10.01.2026 19:00
tanz.tausch – tanz- und performance-festival
Mi, 14.01.2026 19:00
VOICES OF POP CULTURE
Fr, 16.01.2026 18:30
Fantasy Filmfest White Nights 2026 // Thriller Horror Sci-Fi & more // Deutschlands größtes Genre-Filmfestival
february
RAYE - This Tour May Contain New Music
© AMG
Carnival 2026 - the best parties & events in Cologne
Florence + the Machine | The Everybody Scream Tour
© AMG
A Techno Ballet Odyssey
© Bootshaus
With "A Techno Ballet Odyssey", the Berlin Ballet Company explores what happens when classical dance technique meets the intensity of electronic club music. Marko Nastić provides the rousing soundtrack, while the dancers move directly between the audience - a three-act format that dissolves the stage and dance floor into one another. You experience ballet not as a distanced performance, but as a physical experience in the midst of beats, light and movement.
All infos for the event A Techno Ballet OdysseyMarch
Frauen*streik-Demo (deutschlandweit)
© Carmela via unsplash
None
All infos for the event Frauen*streik-Demo (deutschlandweit)Cologne Soul Weekender 2026
Fr, 13.03.2026 20:00
April
c/o pop Festival
Mi, 15.04.2026 19:00
None
All infos for the event c/o pop Festival
PollerWiesen Opening 2026
© Kölner Jugendpark
15. Mülheimer Nacht // 2026
Sa, 25.04.2026 19:00
Dance into May 2026 in Cologne - events and parties
© Dima Kosh via Unsplash
May
SALÒ: Hardcore Ist Tot Tour 2026
© Gebäude 9
Vienna's punk poet, who mixes anarcho-pop and social criticism into an explosive cocktail. The synthesizer rebel forges sound weapons out of frustration with capitalism and self-irony, transforming club stages into therapy sessions. His album "Hardcore ist tot" is not a work, but an acoustic manifesto - a journey from "JELLO BIAFRA" to the last rent increase. In 2026, SALÒ will take his riot on tour and promises to transform concert halls into seething cauldrons of revolution.
All infos for the event SALÒ: Hardcore Ist Tot Tour 2026Freigeist x Silberschwein Open Air || Opening 2026
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All infos for the event Freigeist x Silberschwein Open Air || Opening 2026
Circus Dance Festival 2026 Festivalpass
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All infos for the event Circus Dance Festival 2026 FestivalpassMund zu Mund Festival 2026 @Südbrücke
Sa, 23.05.2026 11:30
Das Mund zu Mund Festival 2026 bringt dich auf drei Floors und mitten ins bunte Labyrinth aus Klang, Kunst und Begegnungen. Hier trifft experimenteller Sound auf kreative Workshops – alles in einem Raum, der völlige Freiheit feiert und zu neuen Wegen einlädt 🤩
All infos for the event Mund zu Mund Festival 2026 @SüdbrückeWIR Schwestern - microFESTIVAL 2026 - Day & Night - Tages- und Abendkasse geöffnet
© Odonien
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All infos for the event WIR Schwestern - microFESTIVAL 2026 - Day & Night - Tages- und Abendkasse geöffnetKÖLNER KINO NÄCHTE 2026
Do, 28.05.2026 18:00
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All infos for the event KÖLNER KINO NÄCHTE 2026June
Eat Play Love 2026 -10 Jahre Edition-
Do, 04.06.2026 12:00
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All infos for the event Eat Play Love 2026 -10 Jahre Edition-Roots Up Festival 2026
© Die Kantine
KDK OPEN AIR 4.0
© Wuergsamkeiten
Fr, 19.06.2026 16:30
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All infos for the event KDK OPEN AIR 4.0Jeck im Sunnesching 2026 - Das Festival in Köln
© Jeck im Sunnesching
Nina Chuba /// Live 2026
© Jakob Marwein
Do, 25.06.2026 19:00
Rainbow Festival 2026
© Markus Krampe Entertainment GmbH
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All infos for the event Rainbow Festival 2026July
Summerjam Festival 2026
© M. Brozi
Fr, 03.07.2026 14:00
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All infos for the event Summerjam Festival 2026Große Grüne Wiese Open Air (hosted by Bekkaa)
© @jukovisulas
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All infos for the event Große Grüne Wiese Open Air (hosted by Bekkaa)
Even Flow Festival 2026
© Konzertbüro Schoneberg
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All infos for the event Even Flow Festival 2026
Hörspielwiese 2026
© Hörspielwiese Köln/Silviu Guiman
Fr, 17.07.2026 15:00
Gourmet Festival
© Wellfairs GmbH
Fr, 24.07.2026 13:00
august
Mark Forster - Sommer Shows 2026
© Tom Blanc
Rheinkilometer 652 Open Air mit Ikkimel, Domiziana, Mariybu, Milli und Felicia Bianco
© KUNST!RASEN GmbH
UNITE Vol. 3 - Tagesfestival im Odonien by Natural Bliss
© Natural Bliss Movement gUG
September
ANALOG ART AFFAIR
© Analog Art Affair
Sa, 05.09.2026 12:00
futurebae • "The Hot Ex-Effekt" Tour 2026
© fioniversace
Can a tour be SO HOT? When futurebae take to the stage, they celebrate, sing, feel and rage against the patriarchy. Look forward to a wink, heart and lots of energy! 💕
All infos for the event futurebae • "The Hot Ex-Effekt" Tour 2026october
4. COLOGNE BURLESQUE FESTIVAL - International Extravaganza of Burlesque, Boylesque and Queer Cabaret
© Tara D'Arson / Sheila Wolf
1Live Comedy-Nacht XXL 2026
© Cologne Comedy Festival
november
We will also be organizing many Geheimkonzerte again this year. Why not give a gift voucher and be part of the next concert?
You can find all events on our website and in our app:
Frequently asked questions about events in Cologne in 2026
1. when will the Cologne Carnival 2026 take place?
The Cologne Carnival begins on February 12, 2026 (Weiberfastnacht) and ends on February 17, 2026 (Veilchendienstag). But carnival will also be celebrated in Cologne on 11.11.2026! Here you will find the best carnival parties in Cologne, all collected at a glance. Kölle Alaaf! ❤️🤍
2. what is c/o pop 2026 in Cologne and when does it take place?
c/o pop is a music festival and industry get-together that takes place annually at various event locations in Cologne. Here you can support newcomers to the German pop music industry and discover new favorite songs! In 2026, the festival will be held from April 15 to 19.
3. when is the Rainbow Festival 2026 in Cologne?
The Rainbow Festival will take place for the second time in Cologne on June 28, 2026. It offers a mix of pop, Cologne music and electronic beats. The line-up includes artists such as: No Angles, Felix Jaehn, KAMRAD & Kasalla. Tickets are available here.
4. which festivals are there in Cologne 2026?
Cologne will remain a cultural powerhouse in 2026 - and not just for music lovers, but also for literature, film and art fans! Music highlights include, for example, the Rainbow Festival at Fühlinger See, the KDK Open Air at the Südbrücke and the electronic-creative Eat Play Love Festival, which takes place regularly in the city. In addition to the music festivals, the year is marked by major cultural events such as lit.COLOGNE, the Cologne Comedy Festival and various film festivals.
5. what concert highlights will there be in Cologne in 2026?
There are some great artists performing in Cologne in 2026. Among them Florence + the Machine, Rosalía, Jessie J and Nina Chuba, to name just a few icons. 👀