Colors of Cologne - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Cologne inhabitants are known as very punctual and pedantic people. They have great respect for old traditions, so there’s no wonder why the coming of age is considered a large holiday here. The person, who celebrates his /her birthday, must make the first communion on that holiday day. After this the whole family gathers for the holiday table, and congratulates the main person on this holiday until late at night. Besides this, local people are very hardworking and are known for their excellent sense of humor. It is also worth mentioning that the local residents are very unpretentious in their ordinary life. They prefer modest clothes, and they don’t have some special preferences in food, even though they are often the authors of many delicious dishes. It should be also noted that the locals adore beer. They are ready to drink beer on any occasion. Even kids here can drink low-alcohol beer instead of usual soft drinks and juices.

Residents of Cologne are quite conservative, and this fact can be noticed almost in all spheres of life. Design of many restaurants, bars and cultural institutions is not changed for decades, so people get used to their environment. At a glance, locals seem to be too serious and reserved, but you simply need to start chatting with them, and you will be defeated by the charm, friendliness and cordiality of the townspeople.

There are many interesting and symbolic events in Cologne. Perhaps, a five-day long carnival celebration is the most famous among tourists. The carnival is conducted each year and starts on November 11. The holiday begins exactly on 11 hours and 11 minutes. Starting from that time locals and visitors are welcome to attend cultural events and interesting presentations. Here you can try various dishes in street cafes and take part in numerous competitions. Perhaps, a large costume parade is the most important event of the holiday. The parade is organized on main streets of the city. "Cologne Lights" is another popular festival, which is conducted in July. During the festival a grandiose musical performance is conducted on the main square at night. The performance is finished with beautiful fireworks. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The history of the Cologne's holidays, in the majority, have deep roots in local traditions, while other holidays have appeared quite recently. But every tourist and a local person have an excellent occasion to have rest and fun during the various celebration. By itself, Cologne is the city of holidays and festivals. When local celebration takes place, millions of people from around the world gather here. During the festivals, the city becomes incredibly picturesque and bright, but note that in such days, rooms in hotels should have in advance. The Cologne Carnival (Kölner Karneval), or how the local people call it - "The Fifth Season" is the most favorite and bright celebration in the whole year. It lasts for three months! The festival begins on November 11, exactly at 11 hours 11 minutes. All the people dress up in the carnival costumes and go to have fun to the Old Town. The holiday carries on for five days then it is replaced by series of Christmas and New Year's events. In February the second carnival which notes the end of fun and the beginning of the Lent begins. Thursday during a week before the Lent is called "Woman's Thursday" and is celebrated by magnificent carnival processions. Fun reaches the culmination in Rosenmontagszug, Pink Monday when colorful processions pass around the city. To enjoy it, more than one million viewers gather. It seems that during these days all city of Cologne and its residents go crazy. It will be quite hard for you to find an empty bar until the morning, as far as all pubs and bars are full of happy people.

In the first days of July, people have fun during the Christopher Street Day takes place. It is not just a day - it is the Parade of pride of sexual minorities. The procession is located in the Old Town, where you will find and enjoy various open-air stages with concerts. This parade gathers up to 35 thousand of gays and lesbians from all over the world and the fun lasts until early morning. Now, we highly advise you to see and enjoy the following festival under the name - The Cologne Fires (Kölner Lichter). It is a magnificent festival of fireworks on The Rhine. The Cologne Fires truly belong to the festivals, with traditional roots. Hundreds of thousands of tourists, as well as local people, gather on the riverbanks or bridges to watch this unusually beautiful show. To enjoy the festival, you must book a ticket to Cologne in the middle of July. The most famous stars and celebrities of electronic music come here and gladden the souls of every visitor. The whole week music rattles everywhere in Cologne. Musicfest am Ring is one of the largest events in the musical life of Europe, which becomes the culmination of this holiday. Along the city belt road, a lot of open-air stages are built. Admirers gather for concerts of the most famous performers in the world rock and pop music and have fun with all the heart. Takes place in the middle of August.

If you have a chance to come to Cologne during the New Year and Christmas celebrations, then you are a very lucky person. First, during this time period, Cologne turns to the city from a fairy tale. Second, the chance to purchase various goods and presence during the Christmas fair is already between your hands. On the Christmas Eve in Cologne, the six specialized markets begin to work. In the city, you will feel an incredible atmosphere of a holiday. Here it is possible to buy traditional German Christmas jewelry - toys, nutcrackers, garlands, and spheres. To have a walk on such market - excellent medicine from stresses of modern life. In the huge market on Ronkalliplatts, a huge Christmas tree is established. It looks especially beautifully against the background of a majestic cathedral. Other markets work for Altermarkt, Noymarkt, and Rudolfplatts. It is possible to visit them absolutely for free. And here, near Reynpromenad and the Medieval market which works near the Museum of chocolate, it is necessary to pay for the visiting of the floating market. Operating time of fairs: the end of November - on December 23.