lit.COLOGNE in Cologne
Europe’s largest literary festival
Every spring, the who's who of contemporary literature comes together at lit.COLOGNE. There’s a wide-ranging children's programme as well.
Lit.Cologne is a literature lover’s paradise. Every spring, the who's who of contemporary literature comes together. The Cologne festival unreservedly ranges from highbrow culture to best-sellers to light reading. Nobel laureates feature just as much as non-fiction stars or authors of crime novels. Since its inception in 2001, the event has developed into the largest literary festival in Europe.
Colorful program with themed evenings
Treat yourself to a literary breakfast aboard a ferry along the Rhine, then head along to police headquarters for a crime thriller reading and finally to the WDR broadcasting studios to celebrate the audiobook awards – all part of a fantastic day trip to Cologne for the Lit.Cologne festival. The festival’s producers have succeeded in creating a unique artistic feat through their theme nights, to which both writers and non-writers are invited, included such characters as fashion guru and book collector Karl Lagerfeld or conceptual artist Ai Weiwei.
A tip: anyone planning to attend should book tickets early as many events sell out weeks in advance.
Lit.Cologne also has a lot to offer for children, specifically through its Lit.Kid.Cologne programme. This programme is suitable for all different age groups.
Date: 18 to 30 March 2025