Eat Play Love Festival Köln

Fühlinger See — Cologne's Oasis of Nature

The Fühlinger See in the Fühlingen district, located in the far north of Cologne, is one of the city's largest recreational water areas with its regatta course and seven lake basins. Sandy beaches, a wakeboard facility, and vast sunbathing lawns make the lake a stage for open-air events in summer — the Eat Play Love Festival has used this backdrop as its natural home for ten years.

Ten Years of Eat Play Love

What began as a small sports and food festival in 2016 is a four-day lifestyle event in 2026 with three pillars: Eat, Play, and Love. The 10th Anniversary will be celebrated from June 4th to 7th — with a significantly expanded music program, a wakeboard Euro competition, and an all-day program for families. The mix of watersports, food truck market, and electronic music attracts an audience from all over the Rhineland and beyond.

Play — Wakeboard and Skate Action

At the heart of the Play area is the wakeboard facility at Fühlinger See. In 2026, Cologne will host a European wakeboard competition with athletes from several countries. In addition, professionals will demonstrate skateboarding and BMX, with open sessions and workshops for beginners. A dedicated children's area with bouncy castles, introductory skate courses, and supervised activities also makes the watersports location attractive for families.

Eat — Streetfood from Around the World

The food truck market brings together international vendors: burgers, Korean bao buns, Lebanese mezze, Italian pasta, vegan bowls, crêpes, cocktails, regional Kölsch specialties. Long tables by the water, seating under umbrellas, views of the regatta course and the wakeboard park — you eat where you watch.

Love — Electronic Music on Two Floors

Two stages focusing on electronic music form the musical heartbeat. For the 2026 anniversary, André Galluzzi (Berlin, Watergate / Cocoon), NeonDreams, ArtOfUrbanLife, and other DJs from the Cologne and Düsseldorf underground scene are announced. By day, Tech-House and Melodic Techno by the water; in the evening, harder and deeper sets; Saturday features a special program with a long closing party.

A Festival with Seasonal Impact

The Eat Play Love has evolved from a hidden gem to a firm summer fixture in Cologne's event calendar. Located in the Fühlingen district of the major city of Cologne, in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the festival benefits from rail connections, free parking at the lake, and a waterside setting that is uniquely integrated with an event anywhere else in the Rhineland.