Cologne, the historic city with its famous cathedral, has a lot to offer both culturally and culinarily. Accordingly, the range of activities and venues for your annual company holiday party is diverse. Are you planning a fairly traditional, especially festive holiday party, or would you like to try something unusual this year? Our ideas are sure to give you a hint for your location and program. If none of them fit, feel free to reach out to us, we're happy to support you with our experience.

Hosting a company holiday party in Cologne - 5 ideas

Now that holiday parties can be held again without restrictions, we're enjoying getting together for the year's festive send-off. What exactly the celebration looks like sometimes matters less than having a nice evening together that we'll remember for a long time. Maybe you're looking for a new idea, or want an overview of what options Cologne offers for your company holiday party. The ideas in this article should help and inspire your planning.

Holiday cruise on the Rhine

See the festively lit old town from the water! Feast together to holiday music and enjoy the magic of the evening backdrop, whether as a multi-hour cruise along the Rhine to the region's most beautiful holiday markets, or even a multi-day holiday Rhine cruise. Entertainment and catering are of course included!

Murder mystery dinner

Mysteries and the holiday season go together wonderfully. At a murder mystery dinner, you'll enjoy a four-course menu or a buffet while solving a criminal case together. Smaller groups join an existing show, but if more than 50 people attend your holiday party, an event can be booked just for you, at the theater or your holiday party location.

Holiday cooking class

Many people associate Advent with baking, and the holidays with togetherness and good food. As long as there are no cooking-averse guests among you, an experiential cooking class with a holiday menu under professional guidance is an idea for your holiday party that's guaranteed to be remembered. It's important to check the menu in advance for any intolerances or dietary needs within the team, so everyone can cook and enjoy together.

The classic: bowling and holiday dinner

Familiar ideas don't have to be bad. Spending your holiday party at a bowling alley isn't an unusual idea, but it's still valued by many. The competitive element, competing solo or in teams, refreshed by delicious drinks, and then rewarding yourselves with a buffet or menu afterward, is worth considering, we think!

Tour with the holiday market express

If you're from Cologne, you probably know the holiday market express, which takes you from one holiday market to the next, hop-on-hop-off style, just like a city tour. If you want to wind down your holiday party at a restaurant, a shared stroll through Cologne's most beautiful holiday markets beforehand is a great idea.

Popular locations and restaurant insider tips for your holiday party in Cologne

Many holiday parties take place at a restaurant. With good reason, since food brings people together and culinary delights stay in the memory for a long time. Cologne has many trendy, historic, classic, and modern locations perfect for celebrating and dining. We've put together a small selection here, and are happy to support you with further ideas and locations for your planning.

Christmas at Wolkenburg

Fairy tales are popular during the holidays, and what's more fairytale-like than celebrating in a castle! Wolkenburg transforms into a fairytale castle for the holidays, offering a special backdrop for your holiday party with wintery decoration and sparkling lights throughout its rooms. Especially if clients and business partners are invited to your holiday party and you want an impressive location, Wolkenburg is a great fit.

Chocolate museum

Museums might seem boring to some people and don't seem like an obvious choice for a modern celebration venue. But the Cologne Chocolate Museum sparks childhood memories and also offers rooms in a unique location right in the Rhine. Before dinner and the party afterward, a visit to the harbor holiday market right by the Chocolate Museum is a great way to kick off the evening festively.

La Verde at PhiLeRo Hotel Cologne

PhiLeRo Hotel in Cologne Höhenburg offers several advantages at once: overnight accommodation for out-of-town guests, restaurant La Verde for your holiday menu or buffet, and La Roja! Bar for winding down the evening. Across a 3- or 4-course menu, you can choose between meat-free, meat, or fish options, plus dessert and drinks.

Achterdeck Boothaus

Cologne has several spectacular locations by the water. One is Achterdeck at Marienburger Boothaus, the "city's largest beer garden." Starting late November, the "Winter Village" opens, and you can rent your own holiday market for your holiday party. Quality wines or, of course, Kölsch, are served with your meal, and long drinks await after dinner.

Gilden im Zinn

After a visit to the Heinzelmännchen holiday market, you can stop by the cozy vaulted cellar of Gilden im Zinn. Mainly hearty Kölsch brewhouse cuisine is served, but vegetarian and vegan alternatives are available too. You can choose between a buffet (for example the "Happen Buffet") and a multi-course menu.

Joseph's

At Joseph's, a restaurant and bar in Rheinauhafen Cologne, you can treat yourself to a 3-, 4-, or even 5-course menu at your holiday party. The festive creations include both meat and fish dishes, but also offer meat-free alternatives and, of course, holiday desserts. Especially impressive is the restaurant's view of the Rhine and the harbor.

Plan an unforgettable holiday party in Cologne with heycater!

heycater! specializes in bringing you, your team, and your guests catering that makes you happy, for your holiday party, a team breakfast, or any other corporate event. But we can do even more, through our close relationships with our catering partners, many of whom aren't just caterers but also offer event locations, we can help you with event planning too. If you'd like professional support organizing a spectacular holiday party in Cologne, we're happy to be by your side with our ideas and years of experience. Feel free to reach out to us, no obligation!