gamescom city festival

In the location's words:

In 2026, the gamescom city festival will once again feature a diverse music program that transcends genre boundaries and brings people together.
For the 16th time, downtown Cologne will be transformed into a vibrant festival stage featuring established artists, exciting newcomers, DJ sets, and interactive experiences. The festival stands for openness, cultural diversity, and social dialogue.
It combines live music with a unique festival atmosphere—free of charge and right in the heart of the city.
This year’s headliners include Thees Uhlmann & Band and The Notwist.
In addition, Team Rhythmusgymnastik and the ARTE Karaoke Band are returning to the stage of the gamescom city festival. Fewjar and Grenzkontrolle round out the main stage lineup. The stage at Rudolfplatz also features musical diversity—with headliners Elias and Guildo Horn & Die Orthopädischen Strümpfe.

Since 2009, prime entertainment has been organizing the gamescom city festival in collaboration with MediaKulturKöln. The festival is part of the official supporting program for gamescom, Europe’s largest consumer trade fair, and is held in downtown Cologne on behalf of Kölnmesse and the City of Cologne. Year after year, a culturally sophisticated program of popular music is offered here between Friesenplatz and Rudolfplatz for all visitors to the trade show as well as for all Cologne residents.