The days are getting shorter and the sky grayer, but that’s no reason to mope. There are some exciting events waiting for you in Cologne this November! Because even if the weather outside is often unpleasant, we can make it all the more enjoyable indoors.
It’s time to try out the latest trends, take a walk through the golden leaves, and stroll through the city’s cafes. We’ll show you what this fall month has to offer in Cologne.
Opening of the carnival season on November 11.
November marks the kickoff of the carnival season. Chase away the gloom with colorful costumes and celebrate on November 11 throughout the city. You’ll find the best parties all over Cologne—especially around Heumarkt and Alter Markt.
ART COLOGNE Art Fair
The ART COLOGNE art fair takes place November 5–8 in Cologne and is considered one of the most important international platforms for modern and contemporary art. Around 150 to 200 renowned galleries from over 20 countries will present works by more than 2,000 artists—ranging from paintings and sculptures to installations and photography. Perfect for cold days!
If you’re in the mood for a little change of scenery in November despite the shorter days, this interactive Minecraft experience is a real highlight: Visitors traverse real biomes, battle mobs, gather resources, and rescue villagers!
📍 OBEX in Oberhausen
📆 Daily
⏳ Approx. 60 minutes
💵 Starting at approx. 30 €
ℹ️ More info and tickets
KFFK – Cologne Short Film Festival
Film enthusiasts, take note: From November 23–29, the renowned KFFK Short Film Festival offers a diverse program of international short films, discussions, and premieres. Venues include Filmpalast and Filmhaus Kino—with a special focus on young talent and innovative film concepts.
Cologne Museum Night 2026
During Museum Night, 11 museums and up to 25 pop-up venues will be open simultaneously until late at night. In addition to exhibitions, there will be guided tours, performances, concerts, workshops, and readings.
📍 Various museums and pop-up locations in Cologne
📆 Saturday, November 7, 2026, 6 p.m.–1 a.m.
⏳ Up to 7 hours; with your ticket, you can visit multiple locations.
💵 €20, reduced rate €10; children and accompanying adults get in free. VRS travel to and from the event is included in the Museum Pass.
ℹ️ More info and tickets
If you’re looking for something special to do this weekend, here’s a wonderfully playful option for gray November days: Bubble Planet is bringing 12 interactive, multisensory rooms full of bubbles to the Coloneum in Cologne. It’s definitely worth a visit—whether with friends or the whole family!
📍 Coloneum
📅 Select your preferred option directly in the ticket selection
⏳ approx. 90 minutes
💵 starting at approx. 19 €
ℹ️ More info and tickets
Cologne Sharks vs. Iserlohn Roosters
The Kölner Haie’s first home game in November promises to be a fantastic evening of sports with a great atmosphere and a loud crowd. A must-see for hockey fans and anyone who wants to become one.
📍 LANXESS arena, Willy-Brandt-Platz 3, Cologne-Deutz
📆 Sunday, November 1, 2026, starts at 7:00 p.m.; doors open at 5:30 p.m.
⏳ Approx. 2.5–3 hours
💵 Tickets starting at €18
ℹ️ More info and tickets
Refrath Fall Run
The Fall Run winds through the Königsforst and offers 5- and 10-kilometer routes. It’s more of a participatory sporting event than a spectator event and is especially great if you’re looking for an active, nature-filled Sunday.
📍 Start and finish at the “Am dicken Stock” shelter, Refrath/Königsforst
📆 Sunday, November 8
Starting at 8:30 a.m.: Race number pickup
10 a.m.: Start of the 5 km run 11
a.m.: Start of the 10 km run
12 p.m.: Start of the half marathon
⏳ Time spent on-site: approx. 2–3 hours
💵 Entry fee depends on route and registration time
ℹ️ More info and registration
When the days grow shorter and you’re craving culture that gives you goosebumps, the candlelight concerts are a real hidden gem: here, classical music comes to life far from traditional venues. In unique locations, the light of thousands of candles creates a magical atmosphere for music lovers.
📍 Residenzkino Köln, Senftöpfchen Theater, Klarissenkloster, or Holsteins Mühle
📆 Various dates
⏳ approx. 60 minutes
💵 starting at €27
ℹ️ More info and tickets
Flea market at the racetrack
The Weidenpesch flea market is a regular Cologne flea market featuring clothing, household items, collectibles, and all kinds of secondhand goods. A visit on Sunday morning is especially relaxing if you want to browse without feeling rushed.
📍 Parking lot at the racetrack, Scheibenstraße 40, 50737 Cologne-Weidenpesch.
📆 In November, including Friday, November 27, 8 a.m.–1 p.m.; additionally, regularly on Wednesdays and Fridays 8 a.m.–1 p.m., Saturdays 8 a.m.–2 p.m., and Sundays 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
⏳ About 1–3 hours.
💵 Free admission.
ℹ️ More info and current hours
The Grand Celebration of 1823 – “11th on the 11th” at the Tanzbrunnen
On November 11, the new carnival season kicks off with a huge open-air carnival party at the Tanzbrunnen. It’s a loud, quintessentially Cologne event with a stage program, costumes, and plenty of crowds—perfect if you really want to experience the start of the season.
📍 Tanzbrunnen Köln, Rheinparkweg 1, Cologne-Deutz.
📆 Wednesday, November 11, 2026; doors open at 8:30 a.m.
⏳ Several hours, into the evening.
💵 Approx. 50 €
ℹ️ More info and tickets
Take the Kölsch and Brewery Tour!
Take a guided walk through Cologne’s Old Town, enjoy delicious Kölsch, and learn fascinating facts about Cologne! This tour takes you from the cathedral through the Old Town to three breweries, where you’ll sample different varieties of Kölsch and learn how to drink them properly.
📅 Select your preferred option directly in the ticket selection
⏳ approx. 2 hours
📍 Cologne Cathedral
💵 Starting at €26.50 (includes 3 Kölsch)
ℹ️ More info and tickets
Quiz Night @ Echtzeit
Quiz Night at Echtzeit is a classic pub quiz featuring general knowledge, specialty questions, and trivia. Teams consist of two to six people; there’s also a BBQ and gift certificates to be won—a great indoor option for a laid-back Sunday evening.
📍 Echtzeit Grill & Thrill, Friesenstraße 33, 50670 Cologne
📆 Sun., Nov. 1 & 15; doors open at 5 p.m., show starts at 6 p.m.
⏳ Approx. 2–3 hours
💵 Approx. €20
ℹ️ More info
Fall Walk: Stammheim Castle Park and the Rhine
How about the guided tour “A Leisurely Stroll from the Castle Park—At a Snail’s Pace to a Cozy Stop” on November 29? The route leads through the colorful Stammheim Castle Park to the Rhine and then back through the Rhine Park toward downtown—with plenty of fall ambiance and a cozy stop to wrap things up.
📍 Meeting point: Cologne Central Station at The Body Shop
📆 Sunday, November 29, at 10 a.m.; departure from Cologne Central Station at 10:21 a.m.
⏳ Approx. 4–5 hours
💵 Free, but registration with the Cologne Eifel Association may be required
ℹ️ More info
