International Chamber Music Festival Utrecht 2026 – Chamber Music between Christmas and New Year

Welcome to the International Chamber Music Festival Utrecht 2026

The International Chamber Music Festival Utrecht (Internationaal Kamermuziekfestival Utrecht) runs from 27 to 30 December 2026, in the festive days between Christmas and New Year. Under the artistic direction of violinist Janine Jansen, the festival brings leading international chamber musicians and young talent to Utrecht. Main evening concerts take place in the Grote Zaal of TivoliVredenburg; further events are held at selected venues across the city.

Highlights & Attractions at International Chamber Music Festival in Utrecht

• Four days of top-level chamber music led by Janine Jansen, one of the Netherlands’ best-known violinists.
• International artists on violin, viola, cello and piano – including Boris Brovtsyn, Amihai Grosz, Timothy Ridout, Daniel Blendulf, Denis Kozhukhin and Young Artist in Residence Nikola Meeuwsen (as listed for the 2026 opening concert).
• Evening concerts in TivoliVredenburg’s Grote Zaal that keep an intimate chamber-music feel despite the large hall.
• Programmes mixing beloved repertoire (Mozart, Beethoven, Prokofiev and more) with lesser-known and recent works.
• Traditionally also family and children’s concerts, walking concerts and performances in distinctive Utrecht locations (churches, museums and other sites – full details in the complete programme).
• Under-30 tickets and multi-concert discounts (20% for four or five concerts, 25% for six or more via TivoliVredenburg).
• A much-loved year-end tradition: for many visitors the festival is the musical high point of the holiday season.

Program & Schedule: What to Expect in 2026

The festival runs from 27 to 30 December 2026. The opening concert is on Sunday 27 December 2026 at 20:00 in the Grote Zaal of TivoliVredenburg (doors 19:00). The closing concert (Slotconcert) is scheduled for Wednesday 30 December 2026 at 20:00. The opening programme features Mozart’s Piano Quartet No. 2, Beethoven’s String Trio No. 3 and Prokofiev’s Violin Sonata No. 1.

Further matinee, family, late-night and walking concerts will be published during the season on kamermuziekfestival.nl. In previous editions, formats such as the church marathon, apple-tart concerts and performances in historic locations were part of the offer. The full day-by-day schedule for 2026 appears progressively on the official website and via TivoliVredenburg.

Tickets & Admission for International Chamber Music Festival Utrecht

Tickets for the 2026 opening and closing concerts are already on sale. For the opening concert at TivoliVredenburg, prices (including service fee, cloakroom and interval drink) are about €38 (category 3), €44 (category 2) and €48 (category 1). Under-30 tickets are available from about €13.50 (limited allocation, maximum six per order). Prices for other concerts may differ; family and special formats are often cheaper. Buying four or five concerts gives 20% off; six or more gives 25% (via the TivoliVredenburg webshop). Tickets and programme: kamermuziekfestival.nl and ticket.tivolivredenburg.nl.

Visitor Tips: Travel & Accommodation in Utrecht

• Getting there: Utrecht Centraal is a major rail hub; TivoliVredenburg is a short walk from the station. By car, use city-centre parking; the historic centre is easy on foot or by bike.
• Weather and clothing: Late December in Utrecht is cold (often around or below 5 °C), with possible rain or snow. Wear warm layers and sturdy shoes; concert halls expect standard concert attire.
• Where to stay: Book hotels and guesthouses in the centre or near the station early – the period between Christmas and New Year is busy. Many venues are in the centre and reachable on foot or by bike.
• Discounts: Check under-30 tickets and multi-concert offers; local options such as the U-Pas may apply via TivoliVredenburg.
• Stay updated: The full festival programme (including family and walking concerts) is updated on kamermuziekfestival.nl – check regularly, as individual concerts can sell out.