40 years of the Kölner Philharmonie – we’re celebrating with you!

Look forward to musical encounters throughout the building with Les Arcanes Baroques, choirs in the foyer of the Philharmonie and musical performances at the Museum Ludwig. Among those taking part are the Kölner Ratsbläser, the Jugendchor St. Stephan, the Kölner Kurrende, the Kölner Männer-Gesang-Verein and a community choir.

Anyone wishing to find out more about the origins of the KölnerPhilharmonie can visit an exhibition on the history of the building in the foyer.

You can also look forward to a sound workshop with Peter Wolf, performances by Stephanie Thiersch, a silent disco on Heinrich-Böll-Platz (bring your mobile and headphones!), birthday games and a 40-metre birthday cake in the Rheingarten foyer.

We open our doors at 1.30 pm; the anniversary celebrations at the Museum Ludwig begin as early as 10 am.

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11:00 & 18:00 Les Arcanes Baroques in front of the Museum Ludwig’s roof terraces
Between Baroque musical art and contemporary reflection: Les Arcanes Baroque combine works by Sweelinck, Purcell, Handel and Geminiani with the world premiere of »De-Cadence: Handel corrupted« (2026) by Klyl Shifroni.

From 1.30 pm: Link between the Museum Ludwig and the Kölner Philharmonie
Two venues, one birthday: for the public festival, the connecting doors between the Museum Ludwig and the KölnerPhilharmonie will open, inviting visitors to discover both institutions in new ways.

1.30 pm Musical prelude with the Kölner Ratsbläser in front of the Philharmonie entrance
With festive music, the Kölner Ratsbläser will open the joint birthday afternoon and welcome all guests with a musical performance.

13:30–17:00 Exhibition on the creation of the Cologne Philharmonic Hall with audio recordings by architect Godfrid Haberer in the foyer of the Kölner Philharmonie
How was the Kölner Philharmonie created? The exhibition takes a look at the planning, architecture and history of the building. Audio recordings by architect Godfrid Haberer provide personal insights into the creation of one of Europe’s most significant concert halls.

14:00–17:00 Silent Disco on Heinrich-Böll-Platz
Heinrich-Böll-Platz won’t be closed off – it’ll become a dance floor: armed with your smartphone and headphones, you can enjoy a musical break in the open air – and perhaps the most unusual birthday party of the year.

14:00–17:00 Birthday games in the foyer of the Philharmonie
Join in, take part in the quizzes, and celebrate with us: the birthday games focus on music, fun and a bit of competitive spirit.

14:00–16:15 Musical interludes in front of various artworks at the Museum Ludwig
Music meets art: at selected locations in the Museum Ludwig, surprising encounters take place between sounds, artworks and the audience

17:00 Performance by Stephanie Thiersch at the Museum Ludwig
Choreographer and director Stephanie Thiersch has created a site-specific performance for the public festival that brings together movement, space and the audience in a unique way.

Performances by Les Arcanes Baroques in collaboration with the Göttingen International Handel Festival.

The musical interludes are made possible by zamus: Centre for Early Music, Cologne.