Utrecht Early Music Festival – Netherlands 2025

Background & History

The Utrecht Early Music Festival, or Festival Oude Muziek Utrecht, is the world’s largest and most prestigious early music festival, dedicated to music from the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Baroque periods. Founded in 1982 by the Organisatie Oude Muziek, it started as a small initiative to revive historically informed performances using period instruments and authentic techniques. Over four decades, it has grown into a global cultural landmark, attracting over 70,000 visitors annually to Utrecht’s historic city center. The festival bridges historical music with modern audiences by featuring renowned artists alongside emerging talent, fostering innovation in how early music is presented.

The 2025 edition, themed “Museumkunst?”, explores early music as a preserved cultural artifact, questioning how it can remain vibrant today through creative reinterpretations, much like curating art in a museum. Since 2014, the festival has included the International Van Wassenaer Competition, a platform for young ensembles, and in 2022, it launched Early Music Television (EMTV), a streaming service offering global access to concerts. The festival also publishes Tijdschrift Oude Muziek, a quarterly magazine for Friends of Early Music, and has expanded its reach through the Festival Oude Muziek Tournees, bringing early music to venues across the Netherlands.

Event Highlights

• Over 250 concerts featuring masterpieces like Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas by Le Poème Harmonique, Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo by La Fonte Musica, Vivaldi’s Four Seasons on hurdy-gurdy by Ensemble Danguy, Bach’s Das Wohltemperierte Klavier by Jean Rondeau, and medieval chants by Stile Antico at Sint-Willibrordkerk.
• The Galore program (formerly Fringe) offers over 60 free concerts by young professional musicians at historic venues, with “Fabulous Galore” performances spotlighting talents like vocal ensembles and harpsichord soloists.
• The Oude Muziek Markt (August 29–31 at TivoliVredenburg) showcases historical instrument makers, music publishers, and booksellers, allowing visitors to try instruments like lutes, viols, recorders, and harpsichords, and browse rare manuscripts.
• Unique attractions include the Early Music Museum Lectures with Museum Catharijneconvent, offering free exhibition access with festival tickets, and workshops like bell ringing at the Domtoren, connecting music to Utrecht’s civic heritage.
• The International Van Wassenaer Competition features young ensembles competing for recognition, with winners performing during the festival, judged by early music experts.
• Special events include the “Chiming & Bell Walk” at Domplein, exploring Utrecht’s bell-ringing traditions, and the Early Music Breakfast Show at TivoliVredenburg, blending live performances with discussions.

Schedule Overview

The festival runs daily from August 29 to September 7, 2025, with a packed schedule of concerts, workshops, and events. Key highlights include:

• August 29: Festival Lounge (10:00–17:00, TivoliVredenburg), Passe-partout Bach’s Das Wohltemperierte Klavier (13:00–14:00, Hertz), Ensemble Hemiolia (20:00–21:10, Grote Zaal).
• August 30: Stile Antico’s medieval chants (07:00–07:45, Sint-Willibrordkerk), Ensemble Correspondances (13:00–14:10, Grote Zaal), La Tempête (20:00–21:30, Stadsschouwburg).
• August 31: Workshop bell ringing (09:00–10:00, Domtoren), La Fonte Musica performs Monteverdi (20:00–22:30, Grote Zaal), Philippe Pierlot & Céline Scheen (23:00–00:00, Hertz).
• Daily events include Galore concerts (45-minute free performances), lectures, and the Oude Muziek Markt (10:00–17:00, August 29–31). The full schedule is available at oudemuziek.nl, with programme details announced on May 6, 2025.

Date & Duration

Dates: August 29 – September 7, 2025

Duration: 10 days

Programme announcement: May 6, 2025

Pre-sale for Friends (€100+): May 14, 2025

Pre-sale for Friends (€50): May 21, 2025

General sale: June 2, 2025

Venue / Location

The festival is held in Utrecht, Netherlands, with TivoliVredenburg as the central hub, complemented by historic venues across the city center, all within a 15-minute walk from Utrecht Central Station. Key venues include:

• Domkerk (Achter de Dom 1, 3512 JN Utrecht)
• Buurkerkhof (Buurkerkhof 11, 3511 KC Utrecht)
• Domtoren (Domplein 21, 3512 JC Utrecht)
• Stadsschouwburg (Lucasbolwerk 24, 3512 EJ Utrecht)
• Pieterskerk (Pieterskerkhof 5, 3512 JR Utrecht)
• Sint-Catharinakathedraal (Lange Nieuwstraat 36, 3512 PH Utrecht)
• Lutherse Kerk (Hamburgerstraat 9, 3512 NN Utrecht)
• Paardenkathedraal (Veeartsenijstraat 155, 3572 DB Utrecht)
• Jacobikerk (St. Jacobsstraat 171, 3511 BP Utrecht)
• Tuindorpkerk (Prof. Suringarlaan 1, 3571 WH Utrecht)
• Sint-Willibrordkerk (Minrebroederstraat 21, 3512 GG Utrecht)
• Instituto Cervantes (Domplein 3, 3512 JC Utrecht)
• These venues, ranging from Gothic churches to modern concert halls, provide acoustically rich settings that enhance the authenticity of early music performances, immersing visitors in Utrecht’s historical ambiance.

Contact Information

Address: Plompetorengracht 4, 3512 CC Utrecht, Netherlands

Telephone: +31 30 232 9000

Email: info@oudemuziek.nl

Website: oudemuziek.nl

Ticket inquiries: kaartverkoop@oudemuziek.nl

Publicity feedback: publiciteit@oudemuziek.nl

Social media: Follow on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads for updates, artist interviews, and behind-the-scenes content.

Ticket Information

Tickets are available online via the concert calendar on oudemuziek.nl, by telephone (+31 30 232 9010, Mon-Fri 10:00–16:00), or via email (kaartverkoop@oudemuziek.nl) using the festival brochure’s order form. Prices vary by venue and seating rank: Rank 1 offers optimal views, while Rank 2 is more budget-friendly.

For example, “Guide to Early Music” packages, including concerts and dinner, range from €122 ($134.20 USD) to €151 ($166.10 USD), based on an exchange rate of €1 = $1.10 USD as of August 14, 2025. A passe-partout for Jean Rondeau’s Bach concerts costs €122–€133 ($134.20–$146.30 USD). Additional fees include €2 for e-tickets or €4.50 for postal delivery per order. Discounts are offered for Friends of Early Music (up to two tickets per concert), students, CJP holders, and those under 31, with proof required at entry. A 20% discount applies for booking four or more Festival Oude Muziek Tournees concerts, selectable online or via the order form.

Wheelchair spaces are reserved by phone or email. Exchanges for other concerts or festival credit are possible if requested two hours before the performance; refunds are available for sold-out concerts or special circumstances. Payment options include iDEAL, credit card, and PodiumCadeaukaart. Collaborations with U-pas, De Zonnebloem, and the Bank Giro Lottery provide additional discount opportunities, and some Tournee concerts (e.g., at Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ) require direct booking with the venue.

Cultural Experience

The festival immerses visitors in early music traditions, featuring performances on period instruments like lutes, viols, harpsichords, recorders, and hurdy-gurdies, alongside vocal ensembles performing Gregorian chant, Renaissance polyphony, and Baroque operas. The 2025 theme, “Museumkunst?”, inspires innovative stagings, such as fictional liturgical performances by Stile Antico and theatrical reinterpretations of Monteverdi’s works, blending historical authenticity with modern creativity. Concerts in venues like Domkerk and Pieterskerk evoke the sacred settings of medieval and Renaissance music, while secular works shine in dynamic formats at TivoliVredenburg.

The Oude Muziek Markt (August 29–31) offers hands-on experiences with instrument makers, allowing visitors to explore the craftsmanship of historical instruments. Lectures at the Instituto Cervantes and the Early Music Museum Lectures delve into early music’s historical and cultural contexts, often linking to Utrecht’s Golden Age heritage. Performers may wear 17th-century-inspired attire, such as ruffled collars and velvet garments, reflecting the era’s aesthetic. The Early Music Breakfast Show and bell-ringing workshops at the Domtoren connect music to Utrecht’s civic traditions, while the “Chiming & Bell Walk” explores the city’s bell-ringing heritage, offering a holistic cultural experience.

Food & Drinks

Utrecht’s vibrant culinary scene enhances the festival, with venues near canal-side restaurants, cafes, and markets. Must-try Dutch specialties include:

• Stroopwafels: Thin waffle cookies with a caramel filling, a sweet treat sold at stalls.
• Bitterballen: Deep-fried meatballs with a creamy filling, served with mustard, ideal for sharing.
• Haring: Raw herring with onions and pickles, a traditional street food available near Domplein.
• Poffertjes: Small, fluffy pancakes dusted with powdered sugar, perfect for families.
• Erwtensoep: Hearty pea soup with sausage, a comforting dish for cooler days.
• Oliebollen: Deep-fried dough balls, often available at bakeries or the Vredenburg Market. Restaurants near TivoliVredenburg and Domplein offer international cuisines, including Italian, French, and Indonesian rijsttafel, reflecting Utrecht’s multicultural food culture. The “Guide to Early Music” events may feature curated dining experiences, such as Renaissance-inspired menus at Instituto Cervantes. The Vredenburg Market (Wednesdays and Saturdays) offers fresh produce, cheeses, and snacks, while canal-side cafes like De Rechtbank provide scenic spots for coffee or local beers like Utrechtse Heuvelrug.

Family & Accessibility

The festival is family-friendly, with the Galore program offering over 60 free concerts, each about 45 minutes, making early music accessible to all ages. The compact city center and short concert durations are ideal for families, and interactive events like the Oude Muziek Markt and bell-ringing workshops engage younger visitors. Accessibility is prioritized, with venues like TivoliVredenburg, Stadsschouwburg, and Sint-Catharinakathedraal offering wheelchair access, hearing loops, and reserved seating for mobility-impaired visitors. Historic venues like Lutherse Kerk or Jacobikerk may have limited accessibility due to architectural constraints; detailed information is available in the festival’s location overview on oudemuziek.nl.

Wheelchair tickets are reservable via +31 30 232 9010 or kaartverkoop@oudemuziek.nl, and assistance or guide dogs are permitted at all concerts. The “De Toegift” initiative funds tickets for low-income attendees through voluntary €12.50 donations, partnering with organizations like De Tussenvoorziening, Buddy to Buddy Utrecht, and De Armoedecoalitie. The festival website is optimized for user-friendliness, with translations for select content and feedback welcomed at publiciteit@oudemuziek.nl to improve digital accessibility.

Getting There

Utrecht is accessible via Utrecht Central Station, the Netherlands’ busiest rail hub, with direct trains from Amsterdam (25 minutes), Rotterdam (40 minutes), and Schiphol Airport (30 minutes). Most venues are a 10–15 minute walk from the station, making walking ideal in Utrecht’s pedestrian-friendly, bike-centric center. Public transport includes buses (schedules at 9292.nl) and OV bikes, rentable at Utrecht Central, Overvecht, Lunetten, and P+R De Uithof.

Taxis are available via Regiotaxi Utrecht (+31 88 002 5400). Limited parking is available near venues, with disabled parking spaces noted in the festival’s location overview; driving is less practical due to restricted car zones. International visitors can fly into Schiphol Airport or Eindhoven Airport (1 hour by train), with frequent trains to Utrecht. Bike rentals, like Black Bikes, offer affordable daily rates for exploring Utrecht’s canals and historic sites, enhancing the festival experience.

Sustainability Efforts

The festival is committed to sustainability, aligning with Utrecht’s eco-friendly ethos. Initiatives include promoting public transport and cycling to venues, minimizing printed materials by encouraging e-tickets, and partnering with local vendors to reduce food miles. The Oude Muziek Markt emphasizes sustainable craftsmanship, showcasing instrument makers who use traditional, low-impact methods. Venues like TivoliVredenburg employ energy-efficient systems, and the festival collaborates with local organizations to reduce waste, such as offering reusable cups at select events. Visitors are encouraged to use OV bikes or walk, supporting Utrecht’s car-free city center initiative.

Accommodation Options

Utrecht offers diverse accommodation near festival venues, catering to various budgets:

• Luxury: Grand Hotel Karel V (Geertebolwerk 1, near Domkerk) offers historic charm with modern amenities, starting at €150/night.
• Mid-range: NH Utrecht (Jaarbeursplein 24, near TivoliVredenburg) provides comfortable rooms from €90/night, ideal for festival-goers.
• Budget: Stayokay Utrecht Centrum (Neude 5) offers hostel-style rooms from €30/night, perfect for students and backpackers.
• Boutique: Mother Goose Hotel (Ganzenmarkt 26) provides stylish rooms in the city center from €120/night. Book early, as Utrecht’s hotels fill quickly during the festival. Airbnb and B&B options are available near Domplein, and the festival website offers accommodation tips at oudemuziek.nl.