At lit.COLOGNE, authors take centre stage and every line-up brings fresh perspectives. The 26th edition once again features the full spectrum: live podcasts, book signings, panel talks and plenty of readings across the city.
Think that’s it? Not even close. The literary buzz carries on well beyond the festival. Festivals, poetry slams and other formats show just how versatile literature can be – and some even give you the chance to bring your own texts to the stage.
- lit.COLOGNE – from readings to live podcasts
- kindly invited – readings, performance and pop feminism
- “Mit Anderen Worten” – reading series with newcomers
- ReimGold Poetry Slam – word battles beneath the tracks
- die wohngemeinschaft presents “Eine Stunde Poetry Slam”
- ELK Kalk – European Literature Festival
- Open stages in Cologne – your literary talent centre stage
lit.COLOGNE – from readings to live podcasts
The festival kicks off on 6 March with lit.COLOGNE POP at Stadtgarten – featuring readings, talks and a party. On 7 March, alongside many other events, there’s a talk with author Julian Barnes and Green Party politician Robert Habeck.
And that’s just the beginning. Once again, the organisers bring big names to the stage: bestselling author Caroline Wahl presents her all-time favourite documentary on 10 March, former Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz reveals his favourite books on 16 March, and stage and screen icon Katharina Thalbach takes the stage on 19 and 21 March alongside her daughter Anna and granddaughter Nellie – returning to her roots with a reading of “Macbeth”.
For more than two weeks, the programme explores everything from happiness and freedom to politics, democracy and feminism, as well as deeply personal stories. Literature here is bold, loud and wide awake. Tickets start at 26 Euro and are available online, with tickets still available for many events. There’s also a ticket exchange platform.
kindly invited – readings, performance and pop feminism
Cologne has a new festival! For the first time, “kindly invited – Die Zukunft der Literatur auf der Bühne” (The Future of Literature on Stage) takes place from 25 February to 1 March 2026 at COMEDIA Theater. At its core is one big question: how can literature stay alive in times of upheaval – and create new spaces where people can connect? Expect a mix of performances, panel discussions, talks and readings in the heart of Cologne’s Südstadt.
One highlight: on 27 February at 8 pm, the literary girl band “No Scribes” brings their show “Zwischen Theorie und Dancefloor” (Between Theory and the Dancefloor) to the stage. Inspired by Destiny’s Child and the Spice Girls, they negotiate identity and (pop) feminism – somewhere between homage and critique, theory and dancefloor. Tickets for all events are available online. A day pass costs 19 Euro (14 Euro concessions).
Tip: the programme also includes free events. On 26 February, for example, there’s a workshop on digital literary production, and on 1 March the “Markt des Möglichmachens” (Marketplace of Possibilities) turns the spotlight on accessible literary and event practices.
“Mit Anderen Worten” – reading series with newcomers
Stiff readings? Forget about it. Each month, eight artists take the stage with their texts at the “Mit Anderen Worten” reading series (literally “In Other Words”) – whether prose, poetry or lyrics. The series is curated and hosted by Schreibwerkstatt Köln.
On 13 March, it’s showtime again, and the stage at motoki Köln will be packed with texts that are anything but dull. Counting lemons, Camille on an island, and a bark beetle that somehow keeps drilling – sounds wild? It will be. Expect fresh voices from Cologne, Berlin, Leipzig and beyond, ready to make their mark.
Come by from 7.30 pm and grab a seat early. Entry is free, donations are welcome. And after the show? Stick around, raise a glass and swap thoughts on the performances.
Tip: from 15 to 22 March, you can submit your own text via this link – and you might find yourself on stage at the next slam on 10 April.
ReimGold Poetry Slam – word battles beneath the tracks
For more than 15 years, the ReimGold Poetry Slam has provided a stage for word art in Cologne. At Club Bahnhof Ehrenfeld, the stage pulls into full speed every last Tuesday of the month: 6 slam poets from across the German-speaking world compete with their texts for the audience’s hearts. Funny, political, poetic, emotional – and you decide by applause who takes the crown.
Next up: 24 February at 20:00, with doors opening at 7:30 pm so you can grab a seat early. The night is hosted by Luca Swieter, who keeps the energy high throughout. Tickets cost 10 Euro online or 12 Euro on the door.
Mark your calendar: upcoming dates are 31 March, 28 April and 26 May. Whether prose or punchy poetry, the words roll here just like the trains overhead.
die wohngemeinschaft presents “Eine Stunde Poetry Slam”
Every last Monday of the month, the theatre stage at die wohngemeinschaft in the Belgian Quarter turns into a cosy hotspot for spoken word. Selected slam poets from the next day’s ReimGold line-up at Club Bahnhof Ehrenfeld take the mic at “Eine Stunde Poetry Slam” (literally “One Hour Poetry Slam”). Short, sharp and poetic – perfect for anyone in need of a cultural fix at the start of the week.
The show comes in two compact sets: at 6:30 and at 8 pm. Tickets cost just 8 Euro and are available online for the next show on 23 February. Upcoming dates are 30 March, 27 April and 25 May. Why not make Monday the highlight of your week?
ELK Kalk – European Literature Festival
Every year on the first weekend of September, the European Literature Festival Cologne (ELK) transforms Ottmar-Pohl-Platz in Kalk into a three-day open-air stage for international voices. Since 2019, authors from across Europe and beyond have come together with an audience eager for a different kind of Europe – one built on dialogue rather than borders.
Behind the festival is a collaboration between Integrationshaus e.V., parasitenpresse, KLiteratur and KUNTS e.V. – putting literature at the heart of the neighbourhood with multilingual readings, talks, live music, performances, parties and projects that refuse to fit into neat boxes.
The 8th edition takes place in 2026. The vibe? An open-air living room – a place where texts blur borders and the European idea is not just discussed, but heard, seen and felt. Best of all: admission is free.
Open stages in Cologne: your literary talent centre stage
Every last Friday of the month at Salon de Jazz in Cologne, improvised live music meets poetry. At the Poetry Jam, your words are accompanied by a trio of piano, bass and drums, capturing the moment live. Whether seasoned poet or curious listener, this is all about expression, experimentation and exchange. Next up: 28 March. Tickets start at 11 Euro concessions and 16 Euro regular, available online or on the door.
On 28 March, Studio Trafique turns into a playground for creativity. From 8pm the stage is open to everything – poetry, songs, comedy, cabaret or performance. No sign-up needed, you get up to 15 minutes to own the stage. The motto? Come as you are. Simply check in with the host and go for it, spontaneity wins here.
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