Resistance isn’t something you need an invitation for. It just happens – accompanied by plenty of noise, love and resolve. Cologne Pride is an important part of that – a collective moment of queer visibility that’s much more than just a great night out.
With that in mind, we’ve put together some alternative events away from the big CSD march on Sunday, 6 July. From political protests to queer culture to safe spaces for FLINTA (female, lesbian, inter, non-binary, trans and agender) people, anyone in between and young queers. Whether you want to dance, sing, learn, kiss or just be part of it all – you won’t want to miss these Pride 2025 highlights in Cologne.
- LES*quisit: “Sing your Pride song” & free secco
- PRIDE NOW – the official CSD 2025 opening party
- Sissy that Rainbow – a queer party universe at Odonien
- Boylesque Drag Festival at Cologne’s Gloria
- PLAY with GUYZ – techno, sweat & glitter
- “Warme Meilen” – city tour for queers & allies
- 11th Dyke* March Cologne – visibility for the community
- LIFE SEX LOVE – exhibition at Galerie Biesenbach
LES*quisit: “Sing your Pride song” & free secco
Young and queer? Then get yourself off to anyway. Located on Friesenplatz square and equipped with its own bar, anyway is the place to go if you’re queer and under 27. Make new friends, sip on coke or cocktails and boogie to pop hits – from Lady Gaga to Chappell Roan to ABBA. With each day of the anyway week dedicated to a specific target group, boys, girls, trans, inter* and non-binary people each get to enjoy their own safe space. And being together with people just like them is so vital!
On Wednesdays, anyway is exclusively open to lesbian, bisexual and queer girls under the age of 27. Wednesday night is LES*quisit night and there’s a special edition on 2 July to mark Pride season. On top of the usual chilling, chatting, flirting and dancing, this is your chance to grab the karaoke mic and sing along (with lyrics provided, of course). And if you need to pluck up courage to ask your crush to join you in a duet, perhaps a glass of bubbly (with or without alcohol) might help. The first one’s on the house!
When? 2 July, 6pm-midnight
Where? anyway, Kamekestraße 14, 50672 Cologne
How much? Free
PRIDE NOW – the official CSD 2025 opening party
The CSD march for queer rights will be on 6 July but one of the places you can give your feet a warm-up on the Friday before is the official CSD opening party, “PRIDE NOW”. With three floors (mainstream, 80s/cult and house), a live performance by “The Weather Girls” and a special welcome drink, this is guaranteed to be a memorable night. It’s being organised by ColognePride e.V., SC Janus (Europe’s first and biggest queer sports club) and Stattgarde Colonia Ahoj, which is one of Cologne’s youngest and largest Karneval organisations and queer with it.
The best thing about the CSD opening party? It’s a fundraising event with proceeds going to the anyway youth club, the rubicon counselling centre and Aidshilfe Köln. Every ticket and drink you buy will support their work. So there’s no need to feel guilty if your bank account’s a little empty by the end of Pride weekend.
When? 4 July, 10pm
Where? Wolkenburg, Mauritiussteinweg 59-61, 50676 Cologne
How much? Tickets are currently available for 32 euros at www.pridenow.ticket.io
Sissy that Rainbow – a queer party universe at Odonien
If you like to spend Pride season dancing outdoors, make sure you head for “Sissy that Rainbow” at Odonien. This alternative arts, culture and event venue in Cologne’s Ehrenfeld neighbourhood is a well-established hotspot. Especially because of its large outside area with steel sculptures, fire installations and sheds – the perfect backdrop for open-air parties in the summer.
4 July will see Odonien turn into a queer party universe. On one floor there’ll be top-rate techno from studio rainbow, on the other queer pop songs to sing and dance along to courtesy of Lana Delicious and DJCK. The music mix is all about diversity – just like the audience. Drag, butch, femme, non-binary, trans*, gay or even just allies – anyone who says “no” to hate is welcome here.
When? 4 July, 10pm
Where? Odonien, Hornstraße 85, 50823 Cologne
How much? You can buy tickets for 22 euros online and on the door (subject to availability).
Boylesque Drag Festival at Cologne’s Gloria
Glitter and glamour galore as the Boylesque Drag Festival returns for a fifth time. With an unrivalled line-up, the festival once again promises a queer wonderland at Cologne’s Gloria Theater. It’s no coincidence the last four events were completely sold out.
What can you expect? There’ll be drag kings, queens and non-binary superstars miming, dancing and singing clad in breathtaking runway looks. Cabaret icons, acrobats and performance artists from across the globe will complete the bill. According to the event website, the organisers want “to do away with all the boundaries between genders and just celebrate wonderful people of every gender”. Sound good? Then get moving! Tickets are on sale now.
When? 4 July, 8pm (doors open 7pm)
Where? GLORIA Theater, Apostelnstraße 11, 50667 Cologne
How much? Tickets cost roughly 40-75 euros and are available from Ticketmaster
PLAY with GUYZ – techno, sweat & glitter
If you like your music hardcore, the legendary Schrotty (an old scrapyard) will have exactly what you’re looking for on 4 July. Their PLAY with GUYZ parties are all about uncompromising techno, sweaty bodies and an atmosphere somewhere between rave, fetish club and queer utopia. Outside around the campfire or inside in the XXL play zone – wherever the night takes you, there’ll be good times full of flirting, dancing and partying.
In addition to delectable DJ sets, a nice extra is the “drive-in cinema” and out-of-this world visuals. So get your mesh top out, glitter up your face and go for it! But don’t forget to check the dress code before you set off – streetwear is a no-no here.
When? 4 July, from 10pm
Where? Schrotty, Liebigstraße 257, 50827 Cologne
How much? Tickets are available online for 25 euros and on the door (subject to availability)
“Warme Meilen” city tour for queers & allies
If queer urban history is your thing, the “Warme Meilen” tour is sure to please. This queer walking tour of Cologne opens up a unique perspective on the city. You’ll discover queer meeting places of times past, the struggles the community’s had and the people who’ve shaped queer life in Cologne. Stuff-of-legend clubs, hard-to-find queer memorials and backdrops to the emancipation movement – this is a tour that brings history to life.
Run by the Centrum Schwule Geschichte (CSG), the tour is open to everyone, queers and allies alike. The centre has spent many years working to change people’s perceptions of queer history and make it more visible.
When? 5 July, 4pm
Where? Brunnen am Waidmarkt 12, 50676 Cologne
How much? 11 euros
11th Dyke* March Cologne – visibility for the community
It’s that time again: time for the eleventh Dyke* March to make its loud, defiant and energetic way through Cologne. The march plays a key role as a symbol of more visibility for female, lesbian, inter, non-binary, trans and agender people – and everyone in between – within the queer community and society as a whole.
Holding their creative signs and banners aloft, the marchers will turn the streets of Cologne into a political platform with a message that’s loud and clear: “Our community is vast and we cannot be ignored!”
When? 5 July, 6pm (rally before the march sets off)
Where? Rudolfplatz square, 50674 Cologne
How much? Nothing – just turn up and join the march!
LIFE SEX LOVE – exhibition at Galerie Biesenbach
If you need a break from all that partying, the “LIFE SEX LOVE – Aspects of Queer Life” exhibition can provide some respite without having to forego the spirit of Pride season. Galerie Biesenbach has teamed up with various queer artists to present works on topics such as queerness, bodies, identity, intimacy and activism. On for the duration of Pride, it’s a perfect place to end your CSD day with a bit of culture.
When? 27 June to 30 August 2025
Where? Galerie Biesenbach, Moltkestraße 81, 50674 Cologne
How much? Free
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