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Cologne celebrates diversity: Cologne Pride starts with colorful events!
Find out everything about Cologne Pride 2025: dates, events and highlights for the queer community in Cologne.
Cologne celebrates diversity: Cologne Pride starts with colorful events!
In the coming weeks, Cologne will be characterized by a colorful kaleidoscope of events that is unparalleled in the queer community. It begins on June 23, 2025 Cologne Pride, one of the largest Pride events in Europe, which runs until July 6th. During this time, the people of Cologne are expecting more than 1 million visitors, who will come under the official motto "FOR QUEER RIGHTS - Many. Together. Strong!" come together. The highlight of the festival will be the three-day street festival in the Old Town, starting on July 4th and ending with the grand Christopher Street Day Parade on July 6th.
The street festival offers a varied program with live music, comedy shows and discussion groups, spread across several stages in the old town, including at Heumarkt and Alter Markt. Cologne Pride has a long tradition dating back to the early 1980s and was officially organized in 1991. The name day “Christopher Street Day” commemorates the Stonewall riots of 1969, a turning point in the history of LGBTQ+ rights.
Diverse events and insights
The first day of the festival is accompanied by an Aperol flea market on the newly opened “Cologne Pride Beach”, entry is free. The philosophy festival Phil.Cologne will also take place on Monday evening, while stand-up comedy is on the program at Joode Lade. Pride Beach itself will be a popular destination, perfect for anyone who wants to enjoy the atmosphere of the festival without having to dig deep into their pockets.
The events in calendar week 26 are as diverse as the Cologne population. Tuesday evening jazz is offered in the summer garden in the Artheater, while Wednesday in Odonien is marked by electronic music for the Wednesday weekend. And the program continues with a “Meet & Eat” evening market on Thursday and an after-work market on Friday on Chlodwigplatz.
The cultural framework
A special cultural highlight during the festival is the exhibition “LIFE SEX LOVE” in the Biesenbach Gallery. This covers topics such as closeness, anonymity and longings and focuses on queer life, with an opening vernissage on June 27th. The exhibition runs until the end of August and offers visitors the opportunity to explore the emotional facets of interpersonal relationships. Works by well-known artists such as Rebecca Bournigault and Max Gehlofen can be seen.
And for fans of vintage and second-hand fashion, there are several flea markets at the weekend that promise great bargains. The highlight is the noble bazaar in the Luther Church, which is open on Saturday from 11.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., followed by a number of markets throughout Cologne.
Cologne is not only known for its cultural diversity, but is also considered the most LGBTQ+ friendly city in Germany. The mix of celebrations, events and cultural experiences will make the coming week an unforgettable event for the entire city. Even though an explosion in the “Saman” restaurant in Kalk last week caused a stir, Cologne Pride offers a platform to celebrate positive togetherness and diversity.