Germany

Annual Holidays in Cologne

The history of some holidays that are celebrated in Cologne is rooted in local traditions, others have appeared recently, but each is a great reason to relax and have fun.

At the Cologne Carnival

Cologne is a city of holidays and festivals. Millions of people from all over the world gather at local festivals. During festivals, the city becomes incredibly colorful, but do not forget that on such days hotel rooms should be booked in advance.

Carnival

The Carnival (Kölner Karneval - „fünfte Jahreszeit“) called "The Fifth Time of the Year" lasts for three whole months. The celebration begins on November 11 at exactly 11 hours 11 minutes. All dress up in carnival costumes and go to have fun in the Old Town. The holiday lasts five days, then gives way to a series of Christmas and New Year events. In February, the second carnival begins, which marks the end of the fun and the beginning of Lent. Thursday in the week before Lent is called "Indian Thursday" and is celebrated by lush carnival processions. The fun culminates in Rosenmontagszug, Pink Monday, when colorful processions take place around the city, attracting more than a million spectators. It seems that these days the whole city is going crazy. In the bars until the morning, it is full of people and it is difficult to find a free place. Mid February. The tour desk offers a map of carnival routes.

Christopher Street Day (Christopher Street).

GameParade, photo by Matthias Ebert

This is not just a day - it is the Pride of sexual minorities. It is usually celebrated on the first weekend of July. In the Old Town, open stages are organized for concerts. The festival is attended by more than 35 thousand gays and lesbians. The fun lasts until the morning. (www.csd-cologne.de)

Cologne lights

Cologne Fireworks Festival, photo by Marcus Antonius Braun

"Cologne Lights" (Kölner Lichter) is a magnificent festival of fireworks on the Rhine. Hundreds of thousands of spectators gather at it, who from the banks of the river and bridges observe an unusually beautiful spectacle. Come early to take a comfortable seat. It takes place in mid-July. (www.koelner-lichter.de)

Pop Festival and Ringfest

At the Cologne Pop Festival

Stars of electronic pop music from around the world gather at the pop festival. For a week in Cologne, music thunders everywhere.

The culmination of the holiday is the Ringfest (Musicfest am Ring), one of the largest events in the musical life of Europe. Open scenes line the city ring road. Fans gather at the concerts of the most famous performers in the world of rock and pop music and have fun from the heart. It takes place in mid-August. (www.c-o-pop.de)

Christmas markets

Cologne Christmas Markets, photo by Nikolaus von Myra

On Christmas Eve, six specialized markets begin to operate in Cologne, and the atmosphere of celebration is immediately felt in the city. Here you can buy traditional German Christmas decorations - toys, nutcrackers, garlands and balls. Walking in such a market is an excellent remedy for the stresses of modern life. In the huge market on Roncallip-Lutz, a giant Christmas tree is being set up, which looks especially beautiful against the backdrop of the majestic cathedral. Other markets operate on the Altermarkt, Neumarkt and Rudolfplatz. You can visit them for free. But for visiting the floating market near the Rheinprominade and the Medieval Market, which operates near the Chocolate Museum, you will have to pay. Opening hours of fairs: end of November - December 23.

Watch the video: Cologne Christmas Market - Leger Holidays (November 2024).

Popular Posts

Category Germany, Next Article

A Spanish diver perishes on the Costa Concordia wreck
Society

A Spanish diver perishes on the Costa Concordia wreck

The list of victims of the crash of a huge liner that sank off the coast of an Italian island in 2012 was replenished by one more person. According to Italian media, a diver died during the restoration of the ship. It turned out to be 42-year-old native of sunny Spain, Izrael Franco Moreno, who worked for the Italian-American company Titan-Mikoperi.
Read More
Photo of the day: wild boar travels by tram in Rome
Society

Photo of the day: wild boar travels by tram in Rome

Italy is a wonderland! What you will not see here. But residents of the capital recently encountered a real wild boar ... in public transport. Judging by the photo in which the animal is captured, it traveled in a tram near Trastevere. The image of the black pig instantly scattered across the Web, making him a celebrity.
Read More
Roman synagogue received a severed pork head
Society

Roman synagogue received a severed pork head

One of the Roman synagogues received an extremely unpleasant “gift” on the eve of Holocaust remembrance day. According to Italian media, a suspicious bag was delivered to the synagogue in the afternoon. He immediately aroused some concerns among the clergymen: they were confused by the strange form of the parcel and some even offered to call a special detachment of sappers in order to open it.
Read More
Italy is in the top five aging nations
Society

Italy is in the top five aging nations

Experts say that Italy can rightfully be called one of the most aging countries. The homeland of wine and fashion has been awarded this title by the Central Bureau of Statistics (ISTAT) based on recent research. According to the ISTAT annual report, the constant increase in the life expectancy of Italians, as well as a decrease in the birth rate, have moved the country of romance to the top five of the oldest nations in the world.
Read More