Maastricht, 12/12/2026
Maastricht, step into a sparkling world of Christmas magic — on Saturday, 12 December 2026, André Rieu and his world-renowned Johann Strauss Orchestra will take the stage at MECC Maastricht for a spectacular festive concert in the maestro’s hometown. Beginning at 19:30, this special Saturday-night performance forms part of the beloved Christmas with André series, bringing together romantic waltzes, traditional Christmas music and spectacular entertainment in one of the most atmospheric events of the holiday season.
Every December, André Rieu transforms Maastricht into a destination for music lovers from across Europe and beyond. Together with his Johann Strauss Orchestra, international soloists and special guests, Rieu creates a Christmas celebration filled with warmth, humour and emotion. The official programme promises romantic waltzes and festive favourites including Ave Maria, O Holy Night, Jingle Bells, Hallelujah and Sleigh Ride.
But music is only part of the spectacle. For these Christmas concerts, MECC is transformed into a magnificent festive setting filled with elaborate decorations and twinkling lights. The production also features world-champion figure skaters, ice dancers and a large dance group, adding another theatrical dimension to an evening designed to feel more like entering a Christmas wonderland than simply attending a concert.
MECC Maastricht, located at Forum 100, 6229 GV Maastricht, provides a very different experience from André Rieu’s famous summer performances on the Vrijthof. Instead of an open-air summer evening beneath the stars, audiences enter a warm indoor environment created specifically around the atmosphere of Christmas. Doors open at 17:00, giving visitors plenty of time to arrive, find their seats and enjoy the festive surroundings before the concert begins.
The 12 December performance falls on the first Saturday of the 2026 Christmas concert series. The full Maastricht run takes place across two weekends, with concerts scheduled for 11, 12, 13, 18, 19 and 20 December 2026. For visitors planning a weekend trip, the Saturday date offers an especially attractive opportunity to combine André Rieu’s concert with a festive stay in Maastricht.
And Maastricht itself becomes part of the experience. During December, the historic city takes on a wonderfully festive character, making it easy to turn the concert into a complete Christmas getaway. Visitors can explore the old streets, enjoy the seasonal atmosphere around the Vrijthof and spend an afternoon discovering Maastricht before travelling to MECC for the evening performance. The city’s tourism office describes Rieu’s winter concerts as a particularly special way to celebrate the holidays.
For André Rieu fans, the Christmas concerts also offer something quite different from the rest of his touring year. The familiar waltzes and orchestral grandeur remain, but they are surrounded by festive music, winter scenery and theatrical elements created specifically for the season. It is this combination that has helped Christmas with André become a treasured annual tradition for families, couples and music lovers travelling to Maastricht from around the world.
Tickets for the Saturday, 12 December 2026 performance are available now, with official tourism listings showing ticket prices ranging from €75 to €175. With Saturday evening traditionally an attractive choice for visitors planning a weekend in Maastricht, securing seats early is recommended.
Whether this will be your first André Rieu Christmas concert or another chapter in a cherished festive tradition, 12 December 2026 at MECC Maastricht promises an evening of beautiful music, sparkling scenery and the unmistakable warmth of Christmas.
Don’t miss your chance — secure your Maastricht tickets and celebrate Christmas with André Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra in the city where so much of his musical story began.
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