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Culture at Neumarkt: Free program inspires Cologne residents and visitors!
Mayor Reker opens the free cultural project “Take a Seat” at Neumarkt in Cologne. Events until September 5, 2025.
Culture at Neumarkt: Free program inspires Cologne residents and visitors!
The Neumarkt in Cologne is blooming again: on July 9, 2025, Mayor Henriette Reker officially opened the doors of the art pavilion for the “Take a seat – Culture at Neumarkt” project. After a year-long break, the popular cultural project, which was already voted one of the three most popular events in the city in 2023, is returning and inviting you to a colorful program until September 5th. The pavilion, designed by the artist Erika Hock, offers an inviting space to linger, discover and participate - free of charge for anyone interested.
The mayor described the Neumarkt as “one of the biggest problem children” in Cologne and emphasized the importance of a lively culture to revitalize the square. “Take a seat” is seen as part of broader measures to upgrade the Neumarkt, which include new street crossings, outdoor dining at the fountain and the installation of new square furniture. These projects are designed to make the location not only more attractive, but also more social.
Cultural diversity and participation activities
The program leaves no room for boredom: music from the “GiGi Girls” and a DJ set from Nada Formosa filled the opening evening with Italian sounds. There will be entertaining events every day until September 5th, including short film screenings, concerts, performances, and readings as part of the “Cologne Literature Summer,” which takes place daily from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The program details were designed in collaboration with numerous Cologne artists and institutions, such as the Cologne Academy of Media Arts and the Cologne University of Music and Dance. In addition to the returnees from last year, such as the soprano Anna Moog and magician Connar Schlüter, new actors bring a breath of fresh air with formats such as “Kaffeeklatsch” by Thomas Bartling and concerts by Janosch Pugnaghi.
One access for everyone
One of the most pleasing news for Cologne residents and interested parties: All events are free and accessible without prior registration. This is particularly important for a broad target group, ranging from families to teenagers to adults. Anyone who not only wants to take part, but also get active, has the opportunity to share their own events on platforms like Cologne for free.
Kölnfrei, a platform dedicated to providing information about free events and activities in the city, supports this initiative and allows users to be regularly informed about the latest cultural highlights. All districts of Cologne are covered and you can find both daily and weekly tips for unforgettable experiences.
The festival will be rounded off with a colorful closing party on September 5, 2025, which will create a fantastic atmosphere with live music and DJs. The “Take a Seat” event series has not only established itself as a meeting place for culture enthusiasts, but also shows how important such initiatives are for our city.
For further information and detailed program content, it is worth taking a look at the official website of the city of Cologne and the overview of the event Cologne free.