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.
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