New Year's Eve in Cologne 2026/2027 – MS RheinFantasie & MS RheinMagie Cruises

Welcome to New Year's Eve in Cologne 2026/2027

For the turn of the year 2026/2027, New Year's Eve in Cologne moves onto the Rhine. Two ships, the MS RheinFantasie and the MS RheinMagie, depart on 31 December from the KD landing stage in the Cologne old town, offering one of Europe's most photogenic New Year's settings with the Cologne Cathedral, the Hohenzollern Bridge and the river skyline.

Highlights & Attractions at New Year's Eve in Cologne

• A New Year's Eve party cruise on the MS RheinFantasie with DJs, multiple dance floors and drinks included
• An all-inclusive New Year's Eve cruise on the MS RheinMagie with a starter, a rich hot and cold buffet, drinks and live music
• Passing the illuminated old town with the Cologne Cathedral and Great St. Martin Church
• Views of the Hohenzollern Bridge along the Rhine route
• A midnight snack and sparkling wine toast on board the MS RheinMagie
• Reserved table seating in the main saloon or the panorama lounge, depending on ticket category
• Departure directly from the KD landing stage in Cologne's old town, central and easy to reach

Program & Schedule: What to Expect in 2026/2027

The New Year's Eve party on the MS RheinFantasie has boarding from around 8:15 p.m., departure at 9:00 p.m., return around 1:00 a.m. and the event ending at 2:00 a.m. KD DJs provide house beats and current chart hits across multiple dance floors, with beer, wine, sparkling wine and soft drinks included in the ticket price.

The all-inclusive New Year's Eve cruise on the MS RheinMagie has boarding from 7:00 p.m., departure at 8:00 p.m., return around 1:00 a.m. and ending at 2:00 a.m. as well. The evening includes a served starter, a rich hot and cold buffet, drinks and a midnight snack, accompanied by live music and a dance floor in the main saloon.

Tickets & Admission for New Year's Eve Cologne

Tickets for the New Year's Eve party on the MS RheinFantasie start at 143 euros per person in advance sale (limited availability), with the regular price at 159 euros. The all-inclusive New Year's Eve cruise on the MS RheinMagie costs 259 euros per person and includes food, drinks and reserved table seating. Both cruises are sold exclusively online through the official Köln Düsseldorfer website, and the minimum age is 18.

Visitor Tips: Travel & Accommodation in Cologne

• The landing stage sits centrally in the old town and is easily reached by bus, train or on foot from the city center
• Warm but smart clothing is recommended, since the river can be cool on New Year's Eve and a dress code applies
• Hotels in the Cologne old town and around the cathedral should be booked early given the high demand on New Year's Eve
• There is no re-entry once you leave the ship, so plan around the departure time
• Payments on board are cashless only, so bring a card or a contactless payment method