La Philharmonie Luxembourg
A cultural hub accessible to all
Proudly standing on Place de l'Europe in Kirchberg, the Philharmonie Luxembourg has risen to become one of Europe's major cultural hubs since its inauguration in 2005.
However, it is much more than just a stage where artists of all kinds perform! Whether you are a classical music lover, a jazz enthusiast, or an architecture buff, looking for fun things to do with your family on the weekend or a friendly place to meet up with colleagues after work, the " Salle de concerts Grande-Duchesse Joséphine Charlotte" (its official name) welcomes you with open arms—or rather, open doors.
An iconic monument to visit
The Philharmonie Luxembourg is first and foremost a place to be seen. Whether you're walking down Avenue John F. Kennedy, looking out of an airplane window, or looking up at Kirchberg while walking through the Lower Town, it's hard to miss this building, which is as unusual as it is attractive. It must be said that the Philharmonie was specifically designed to leave no one indifferent. Its creator, Christian de Portzamparc, imagined it "set like a diamond among the buildings that surround it" – quite a program!
Immaculate white, a glass facade opening onto the outside, curved lines encircled by more than 800 slender columns... The French architect certainly didn't lack audacity. Open to visitors, the interior of the "diamond" is just as captivating: a circular foyer bathed in light, three distinctive halls that can accommodate 150 to 1,600 spectators, a panoramic balcony, and above all, not a single angle that repeats or resembles another. From floor to ceiling, Portzamparc sought to evoke sound: its form, its movement, its impact on us. In addition to its aesthetic value, this approach provides optimal acoustics, particularly in the main hall, the Grand Auditorium.
To top it all off, the Philharmonie is entering its second decade with an expansion. Begun in the fall of 2024, the extension work carried out by the firms 2Portzamparc and CBA will increase the number of stages and social spaces by 2027.
A crossroads of musical cultures
As you can see, the Philharmonie is anything but an empty shell. On the music side, its heart beats first and foremost to the rhythm ofthe Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra, its multi-award-winning ensemble on the European scene, which celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2023.
In addition, musicians and ensembles from all over the world perform in the Philharmonie's three large halls. Major symphony orchestras, jazz and pop legends, pioneers of contemporary music, rising stars, and film concerts form the backbone of the program, resulting in more than 400 events per season.
At least two festivals also punctuate the year: in October, atlântico brings together the cream of Portuguese-speaking artists, while in November, contemporary music takes center stage with rainy days. At the beginning of summer, the Grand Duchy also likes to come together for a double event that is not to be missed: on the one hand, the traditional open-air concert by the Luxembourg Philharmonic at Kinnekswiss, and on the other , the End-of-season party, the meeting place for techno and electro fans in the Greater Region.
For families, unique shows
Young children and their families are not left out either, quite the contrary! Since its inauguration in 2005, the Philharmonie has constantly sought to attract young audiences. Every year, the Philharmonie's teams design original shows to give children a taste for music and bring generations together. Commentated symphony concerts, participatory operas, musical theater, workshops... Since its inception, the Philharmonie has distinguished itself as a pioneer in the field of youth culture and exports its multilingual creations throughout Europe.
The success is such that parents are strongly advised to purchaseseason tickets to guarantee their seats, as events for young audiences are often in high demand—even sold out—as soon as they go on sale.
A few tips to get you started
If the 400 or so events organized by the Philharmonie each year make your head spin, there are many ways to approach its program in a friendly way. For young adults aged 30 and under, the Phil30 app, for example, offers last-minute tickets for just €10 for most concerts, whether classical or not.
Even more economical: it's not uncommon for public rehearsals to be accessible free of charge during lunch breaks as part of the Lunch Concerts! The musicians perform in a relaxed atmosphere for about 30 minutes, after which the Foyer bars are open to food lovers.
There are also plenty of after-work options. For example, the " Chill at the Phil" series allows you to combine business with pleasure (i.e., bring your drink into the concert hall), while the Discovery Night package invites curious visitors to enjoy a guided tour and an aperitif before the concert begins.
Other unique offerings for relaxation and discovery include yoga classes set to music, instrument discovery workshops, and artist interviews. On Sundays, it is not uncommon to see musicians from the Luxembourg Philharmonic performing in small groups before joining their audience for a friendly drink.
Offers for professionals and businesses
Thanks to its prime location in the heart of the Kirchberg business district, over the years the Philharmonie has also developed a range of offers for institutions and companies. For example, several of its stages and spaces are available for hire . Whether for a conference, party, or cocktail reception, the Philharmonie's teams are able to adapt to all kinds of requests and needs.
Still on the subject of events, companies can alsoinvite their employees to attend a concert thanks to the Premium Package, which includes tickets at attractive prices, an aperitif reception, and personalized service.
For organizations wishing to make a long-term commitment as patrons, the PhilaPhil Corporate program also offers various benefits: invitations to private parties, access to an exclusive lounge, meetings with artists, and more.
For more information, please visit the Philharmonie website or stop bythe Information & Ticket Office, where you can browse the latest publications and meet the team members who will be happy to assist you. The Philharmonie is also particularly active on social media. Its Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Facebook pages will give you an idea of the diversity of its programming.
More information on musical activities and concerts, theaters, and cinemas in Luxembourg.
