Microsoft and Nokia are holding a joint party later this month.

The party will be held at the GamesCom trade fair in Cologne, Germany. Both companies sent an invite to a joint party on Monday that will be held on August 17. The Unwired reports that Nokia may show one of their highly anticipated Windows Phone devices. Both companies are raffling off three Xbox consoles with Kinect and three Nokia Windows Phones (as soon as available). The invite (shown below) promises “an evening to remember” alongside “exciting actions and surprises.” The party could be the first time that Nokia officially unveils its Windows Phone devices.

Nokia CEO Stephen Elop also revealed last month that Nokia’s Windows Phone devices are being well received by those lucky enough to get an early hands on. “Those who already have viewed our early Windows Phone work are very optimistic about the devices Nokia will bring to market and about the long-term opportunities,” said Elop. “Step by step, beginning this year, we plan to have a sequence of concentrated product launches in specific countries, systematically increasing the number of countries and launch partners.” Elop revealed, on an earnings call, that the company is working on its launch plans with the mobile operator community. “It cannot be a single big bag,” said Elop, stating that the firm would take steps to prepare its Windows Phone availability. Elop also revealed that Nokia plans to broaden its Windows Phone footprint each quarter next year, claiming that there’s “very exciting times ahead” for Nokia.

Nokia’s first Windows Phone, codenamed “Sea Ray” was leaked to the internet last month after Elop demonstrated the device at an internal company meeting. The device is expected to be available later this year. The design of the device appears to be identical to the recently announced Nokia N9, powered by MeeGo. The device is “super confidential” at this stage and features gorilla glass, pillow shaped backing and a carl ziess 8MP camera. The secret nature of the device hasn’t stopped it leaking however. A new video emerged last month of ‘Sea Ray’ booting up into Windows Phone 7.5. The video demo provides a good hands on for the new device. The product is Nokia’s first Windows Phone device and will be available later this year when the company releases a batch of Windows Phone Mango devices.

Nokia recently revealed that it is planning to hold the annual Nokia World conference on October 26-27 in London. The timing matches up with a possible Windows Phone Nokia device launch date. Nokia World is typically used to launch new products before the holiday season. Nokia has previously revealed that the company plans to launch its first Windows Phones in six European countries. Nokia plans to launch first in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK and the Netherlands. Nokia’s Windows Phone devices are currently labeled with “W” (for Windows). Nokia is also rumored to be launching a dual-core N8 variant with a 12MP camera, QWERTY touchscreen candy bar phone and a cheaper touchscreen device with less expensive body.

Image Credit: The Unwired