The Germans have the "fifth season" concept — they bring out carnival days in a particular season (carnival usually takes place in February). It's a time when people get so crazy that you want to call it something special. During the four months leading up to the celebrations, including November, city dwellers prepare for the festivities.
To taste the unbridled excitement and festivities, visit Cologne in November. This is the month when the official preparations for the carnival begin at 11.11 am on 11 November and when the Christmas markets are held all over the city at the end of November.
Holidays in Cologne in November: pros and cons
Cologne's November holiday reviews will be full of enthusiastic memories because it's not every day you get to see so much fun in just about every corner of the city. If the discreet Germans are having a good time, they do it to the fullest. Cologne in November shimmers with all kinds of emotions like a diamond in the sun in all rainbow colours. This month, you can find everything:
- A touch of autumn nostalgia for the warm days gone by.
- Crazy fun on 11 November, when the carnival season kicks off.
- The delicious beer is an indispensable attribute of all festivities and celebrations.
- Fascinating architecture.
- And comfortable enough to explore.
- Exciting museums and exhibitions that provide knowledge and experiences.
- Christmas markets.
The following points should be taken into account to make your holiday a success:
- The earlier you make your hotel and flight reservations, the better — the start of the carnival season attracts many tourists, and some start planning their trip to Cologne months in advance. Also, if you are travelling with children, consider the hotel's location and proximity to the main carnival streets. You will unlikely get a good night's sleep when there is a show like this outside.
- There should not be too many warm clothes, but comfortable shoes are a 'must have' on this trip.
- And the KolnCard is a must, as it should entitle you to up to a 50% discount on all travel attractions and free public transport.
- Take an umbrella — and not just for shelter from the rain. It's a thing local children use to catch as many sweets as possible, which are thrown at the spectators during the carnival. The umbrellas are turned inside out to create a bowl for the sweets. Why not let your child take advantage of this trickery too?
Weather in Cologne in November
The weather in November and December is already forcing citizens to dress warmer. The nights can get chilly to the point of tingling, although the daytime weather in early November is still in the plus zone.
Cologne's mid-November temperatures drop around 3-5°C from the beginning of the month, but the carnival season keeps the chill at bay. It's the start of cinnamon mulled wine season, which can be bought almost everywhere. By the way, it's made not only from wine but also from grape juice, which you can safely give to children.
The weather in Cologne at the end of November gets even more chilly. It's still above zero, even at night, but it still feels like winter is coming.
Air temperature
Cologne has a very mild and pleasant climate. One can genuinely envy those who live here. The temperature in Cologne in November does not drop below freezing, even at night. There is not a lot of rain, as is typical in November. Autumn holds its own against the winter frost. Because of the weather, the carnival in November is preferred by tourists with children.
Air temperature in Cologne in November
The average daytime temperature in November is around +8-9°C, and the average night-time temperature of the month reaches +5°C. The normal daytime temperature at the beginning of the month is a thermometer mark of +13°C, and the night-time temperature is +7-8°C. Towards the end of the month, the daytime temperature often drops to 8°C, and the night-time temperature drops to 5°C. In short, the weather in this city is not too bad for late autumn, and you can safely make the trip alone or with the whole family.
Amount of precipitation
The average rainfall in Cologne in November is around 38 mm. There are three days of rain per month. This month is one of the four driest months of the year, along with February, March and April, but it's also the most cheerful and not the coldest. There's no need to pack rain gear for your trip, as the low rainfall isn't a reason to postpone it, and if the weather does let up, you can wait it out at museums or cosy cafes.
Sunny, cloudy and overcast days
Cologne has an average of 8-9 days of sunshine in November. That's not a bad indicator for autumn. The month's percentage is 30% sunny, 40% cloudy and 30% cloudy. One type of weather does not always last the whole day. The first half of the day can be sunny and the second half rainy. In any case, it never hurts to check the weather forecast for a particular date and time.
Tour Holidays
Cologne's most beautiful building is the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Mary. This Gothic building is breathtakingly beautiful. It looks mysterious in the floodlights illuminating it at night. It gives an incredibly festive atmosphere in conjunction with the Christmas decorations that adorn the streets at the end of November.
Cologne is also home to many beautiful churches. The Church of St. Martin and the Church of the Holy Apostles is built in the Romanesque style. They always grace and emphasize the architectural picture of the city.
Then it's worthwhile to walk through the Town Hall Square and down to the river Rhine. Here you and the children will enjoy a guided tour on the mid-November river tram but sit on the inside rather than the deck. Outside, a rather unpleasant and cold wind blows through during the ride.
If you are travelling in early November, take advantage of the opportunity to visit the Phantasia Land amusement park near Cologne before the 5th of November. Here you'll have a lot of fun and emotions, and your little ones will remember the joyful moments spent with you in the amusement park. It's worth noting that Phantasia Land has attractions for all ages.
If you can't make it in time, visit the Roncalli Circus, where you and the children will have a lot of fun: the local shows are masterpieces of craftsmanship. Adults and children will love visiting the Chocolate Museum and the Fragrance Museum. You can sample the sweets at the former, which looks like a ship. In the second, you can learn about the origins of cologne and the complexities of the perfumer's profession.
Holidays, events and festivals
The main event in Cologne in November is the annual carnival, which usually takes place in February, but the festivities kick off on 11 November at precisely 11 hours and 11 minutes. Over the following months, the city's residents actively prepare for February's carnival.
All the other festivities in Cologne in November pale in comparison to this event. Besides the main streets, there are marches in all city districts. Children with shopping bags and people with umbrellas are not uncommon in nice weather — all these things they take with them for a reason.
During the celebrations for the start of the "fifth season", there are plenty of sweets, chocolates and even boxes of chocolates thrown on gawkers. But what a delight this rain of sweets makes for the children! The local kids sometimes fill their carts with chocolate and proudly take their trophies home.
The festivities slowly fade, replaced by Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations. But in February, the carnival picks up again.
At the end of November, on 23 November, Christmas markets open throughout the city and in the port. All the festive markets in Cologne are attractive, and each is good. The Neumarkt has the tastiest steaks in town. There's an ice rink on the Heumarkt, and you can skate on it. You can buy mulled wine at each market, including a berry for the kids. There's live fire salmon, which looks and tastes spectacular.
Various gingerbread men, the famous Cologne "Stollen" cakes in the shape of the Cologne Cathedral with candied fruits and mixed nuts, halva, honey, jam, fresh hot Belgian waffles with berries and whipped cream, pancakes with different fillings or simply with icing sugar, various sauces and seasonings are prepared in front of you.
There are also beautiful hand-painted glass toys, decorative candles and candlesticks, aroma lamps, toys for children and puppet theatres. Christmas gift shops sell winter clothes, hats, caps, mittens, gloves, and scarves. There are plenty of wooden and porcelain items.
The Christmas market lights up on the main square, and the town preparations for its next outing, the New Year's Eve celebrations.
It's a magical and fascinating time for the city and its inhabitants. It's still a month until the New Year, but there's a bit of Christmas spirit and magic in the air, something you'll surely take back from your trip if you see it at least once.
Cost of vacation
Carnival attracts people from all over the world. Cologne's November holiday prices are such that it's unlikely you'll be able to save money in the city unless you buy a KolnCard, which gives you discounts on museums and fares.
But airfare this month is surprisingly among the cheapest of the year. This is probably because most visitors are Europeans and prefer to travel by train or car. In December, however, airfares rose by almost 30 %.
Hotels are even harder to come by. You must choose your accommodation carefully, depending on the type of holiday you want and the group you travel with. The noise and noise of the streets will prevent you from getting a good night's or even a good night's sleep. With children, you should choose areas further away from the main events.
It is worth noting that some hotels increase their accommodation rates by 15-30% during the carnival period.
As for food, you'll have to pay about €12-15 for lunch per person, and dinner for two will cost at least €70. In fast-food restaurants, the price tag can be divided by 2.
But that's only if you have the patience to wait in line to save money. But on carnival days, enterprising citizens allow a few euros to rent their balcony and enjoy the show comfortably and without crowds. But then you have to take the sweets with you.
Don't be afraid to travel with children of all ages — the weather in November makes it ideal. Dress warmly and comfortably, buy a funny hat or mask and spend unforgettable days in Cologne. And for a family trip to remember, Kidpassage offers a mini-train ride around the city that follows the most popular hiking trails.
