The Charlemagne Festival is celebrated on the last Sunday in January to mark the anniversary of Charlemagne's death (January 28, 814).
The Charlemagne Festival opens with a solemn pontifical mass in the cathedral. The liturgical program, which lasts around two hours, is strongly influenced by music. Under the direction of cathedral conductor Felix Heitmann, the Aachen Cathedral Choir, the Aachen Symphony Orchestra and vocal soloists will perform Carolingian and early medieval chants. In addition, the Mass in C major KV 317 ("Coronation Mass") by Mozart and two works with a local connection will also be performed: the "Veritas mea" by the former Aachen Stiftskapellmeister Franz Nekes and the symphonic song cantata "Urbs aquensis" by the former cathedral organist Norbert Richtsteig, who died in 2021.
From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the town hall opens its doors for medieval hustle and bustle. Visitors can view special rooms such as the Coronation Hall, the Lord Mayor's old office and the White Hall - places that otherwise remain partly hidden. Historical flair is guaranteed by the Öcher Duemjroefe town hall guard, the Limburg knighthood, jugglers, falconers and the Aachen Aixtra butchers, who serve their famous Karlswurst sausage, green coal stew and the imperial orb for dessert. A perfect excursion to immerse yourself in the time of Charlemagne. Admission to the town hall is free.
At 4:30 pm, cathedral organist Michael Hoppe invites you to an organ concert in the cathedral. Under the motto "It's so suite", he will play works by Langlais, Handel and Boëllmann. Admission is free.
To conclude the Karlsfest, the girls' choir at Aachen Cathedral will sing psalm settings and polyphonic choral music under the direction of cathedral cantor Marco Fühner in the evening praise at 6 pm.
The Charlemagne Festival opens with a solemn pontifical mass in the cathedral. The liturgical program, which lasts around two hours, is strongly influenced by music. Under the direction of cathedral conductor Felix Heitmann, the Aachen Cathedral Choir, the Aachen Symphony Orchestra and vocal soloists will perform Carolingian and early medieval chants. In addition, the Mass in C major KV 317 ("Coronation Mass") by Mozart and two works with a local connection will also be performed: the "Veritas mea" by the former Aachen Stiftskapellmeister Franz Nekes and the symphonic song cantata "Urbs aquensis" by the former cathedral organist Norbert Richtsteig, who died in 2021.
From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the town hall opens its doors for medieval hustle and bustle. Visitors can view special rooms such as the Coronation Hall, the Lord Mayor's old office and the White Hall - places that otherwise remain partly hidden. Historical flair is guaranteed by the Öcher Duemjroefe town hall guard, the Limburg knighthood, jugglers, falconers and the Aachen Aixtra butchers, who serve their famous Karlswurst sausage, green coal stew and the imperial orb for dessert. A perfect excursion to immerse yourself in the time of Charlemagne. Admission to the town hall is free.
At 4:30 pm, cathedral organist Michael Hoppe invites you to an organ concert in the cathedral. Under the motto "It's so suite", he will play works by Langlais, Handel and Boëllmann. Admission is free.
To conclude the Karlsfest, the girls' choir at Aachen Cathedral will sing psalm settings and polyphonic choral music under the direction of cathedral cantor Marco Fühner in the evening praise at 6 pm.
Dates
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Eligibility
Target Group Teenager
Target Group Adult
Target Group Family
Target Group the Elderly
for Children of all Ages
for Groups
for familys
for individual guests
Payment methods
Entrance Free
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Organization
aachen tourist service e.v.
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