1. Wëllkomm Martin Rajna! The Luxembourg Philharmonic is embarking on a new chapter. For his first concert as musical director, the Hungarian conductor and pianist Martin Rajna is pairing Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 ‘Titan’ with works by two of his compatriots: György Kurtág’s ‘Stele’ and Béla Bartók’s Violin Concerto No. 1, featuring violinist Veronika Eberle as soloist. The orchestra is coming off the back of an entire season without a musical director, making this evening the first major symphonic event of the new season. The concert will be broadcast live on Opus.
Where? Philharmonie, Grand Auditorium, Luxembourg-Kirchberg. When? Friday 2 October at 7.30pm (‘Résonance’ talk at 6.45pm), 2 hours including the interval. How much? From €30 to €82. Full details at philharmonie.lu.
2. Tif. Born in Algiers and based in Paris, the rapper blends rap, chaâbi and Andalusian music, with lyrics in French and Arabic. He is here to promote ‘Savashuia’, his third album, released in May, accompanied by his live band. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Where? Rockhal Club, Esch-sur-Alzette. When? Friday 2 October, doors open at 8pm. How much? From €34.50, depending on the ticket outlet. Full details at Rockhal.lu.
3. ‘The Other Place’. British director Alexander Zeldin draws inspiration from ‘Antigone’ to explore the tensions within a modern-day British family. Two sisters reunite on the anniversary of their father’s death, in a kitchen that becomes the scene of long-standing resentments. The performance, in English, lasts 1 hour 20 minutes and is recommended for ages 15 and over. An introduction is provided 30 minutes before each performance.
Where? Grand Théâtre, Grande Salle, Luxembourg-Limpertsberg. When? Friday 2 October at 7.30pm (also Thursday 1 October). How much? €15 to €25, €8 for young people. Full details at theatres.lu.
4. The Soldier’s Tale. Violinist Isabelle Faust and actor Dominique Horwitz are teaming up once again with the Salzburger Marionettentheater for this Stravinsky work, featuring puppets and a set designed by Georg Baselitz. Co-produced with the Salzburg Festival, the production brings together a 1918 composition, a historic company of puppeteers and a leading figure in post-war German art. It is performed twice a day.
Where? Philharmonie, Grand Auditorium, Luxembourg-Kirchberg. When? Saturday 3 October at 5pm (in German) and at 8pm (in French), 80 minutes with no interval. How much? From €26 to €58. Full details at philharmonie.lu.
5. Art3F Luxembourg. For its ninth edition in the Grand Duchy, the contemporary art fair brings together more than 200 artists and galleries, both from Luxembourg and abroad. More than 3,500 works are on sale, ranging from art brut to abstract art, including post-graffiti and kinetic art. The official opening takes place on Friday at 6pm, accompanied by music.
Where? Luxexpo The Box, South Entrance (rue Carlo Hemmer), Luxembourg-Kirchberg. When? Friday 2 October from 2pm to 10pm, Saturday 3 October from 10am to 8pm, Sunday 4 October from 10am to 7pm. How much? €10 (€7 for online advance bookings), free for accompanied children. Full details at art3f.fr.
6. ‘Kaihō: Japanese Women Artists after 1945’. Mudam is presenting the first exhibition in Europe dedicated to Japanese female artists, from the post-war period to the turn of the 21st century. It brings together 39 artists and over 120 works across five sections, many of which have rarely, if ever, been shown outside Japan. Artists featured include Yayoi Kusama, Yoko Ono, Atsuko Tanaka, Fujiko Nakaya and Tomie Ohtake. The exhibition is organised in collaboration with the Lenbachhaus in Munich and the Guggenheim in Bilbao, where it will subsequently travel.
Where? Mudam, Luxembourg-Kirchberg. When? Until 14 February 2027, Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm (Wednesdays until 9pm). How much? €10, €7 for 21–25-year-olds and over-65s, free for under-21s and students. Full details at mudam.com.
Tomie Ohtake, ‘Untitled’, 1978. (Photo: courtesy Galeria Nara Roesler and the artist’s estate)
7. Andrea Sawatzki reads ‘Biarritz’. The German actress, who played a police inspector for many years in the Frankfurt series of ‘Tatort’, is presenting her new novel. Emmi, who lives in a care home, has distanced herself from her daughter Hanna, until a trip brings them closer together. It is a story of closeness and distance, of guilt and the possibility of reconciliation. The reading will be in German.
Where? Cube 521, Marnach. When? Saturday 3 October at 8pm. How much? €28, €14 for under-26s. Full details at cube521.lu.
8. Oktoberfest Cruise. With no wine festival taking place that weekend, the Moselle region is getting into the Bavarian spirit. The ‘Princesse Marie-Astrid’ sets sail from Grevenmacher for an evening on the water featuring a traditional menu (pretzels and obatzda, beer-braised roast pork and sauerkraut, apple strudel), draught beer and entertainment provided by a DJ and a host. A shuttle bus service is available from Trier.
Where? MS ‘Princess Marie-Astrid’, Grevenmacher jetty. When? Saturday 3 October, boarding from 5pm to 6pm, return at around 11.30pm. How much? €111 for a shared table, €122 for a private table, including a meal. Full details at 11thfloor.de.
9. Joep Beving. A self-taught pianist who has become a streaming sensation, the Dutch artist signed to Deutsche Grammophon presents ‘Liminal’, 15 pieces exploring change and letting go. The concert, featuring him alone at the piano, will be performed in a seated setting at the Rockhal Club – perfect for a Sunday afternoon. French cellist Cécile Lacharme will be the support act.
Where? Rockhal Club (seated), Esch-sur-Alzette. When? Sunday 4 October, doors open at 4pm. How much? €41.80 in advance online. Full details at rockhal.lu.
10. Luxembourg Architecture Days. Now in its second year, organised by Luca in collaboration with the OAI and the INPA, the event invites participants to ‘(re)imagine our everyday spaces’. According to Wunnen magazine, the programme features 66 activities across 26 municipalities: guided tours, architects’ offices open to the public and talks. For example, visitors can take a guided tram tour from Place de Paris to Kirchberg. Registration is via the interactive map on the website.
Where? Across the country. When? From Thursday 1 until Sunday 4 October. How much? Free. Full details at architecturedays.lu.
Now in its second year, organised by the Luca in partnership with the OAI and the INPA, the event invites participants to ‘(re)imagine our everyday spaces’. There are 66 activities taking place across 26 local authorities: guided tours, architects’ offices open to the public, and talks. (Photo: Journée de l’architecture)
Also worth noting in the region
Apéro-concert: Bach. The Swiss pianist Louis Schwizgebel conducts the Metz Grand Est National Orchestra from the keyboard. The programme features works by Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, Johann Sebastian Bach and Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4, with oboist Pauline Cambournac. The concert is followed by a complimentary drink with the musicians.
Where? Arsenal, Metz. When? Saturday 3 October at 6.15pm. How much? From €8 to €31. Full details at citemusicale-metz.fr.
‘Dimanche sans fin’. At the Centre Pompidou-Metz, Maurizio Cattelan reinterprets the Centre Pompidou’s national collection and brings out rarely exhibited works, including the wall from André Breton’s studio. At the same time, Marina Abramović is presenting her latest participatory exhibition in Metz, ‘Mutual Gaze’.
Where? Centre Pompidou-Metz. When? Until 25 January 2027 (until 23 November for Abramović), closed on Tuesdays. How much? From €7 to €14, free for under-26s. Full details at centrepompidou-metz.fr.
‘Le Mur’. As part of the Musica festival, the Rhine National Opera Ballet is staging a new work by choreographer Mathilde Monnier, set to music by pianist Ève Risser performed live, for 12 dancers. For those unable to travel to Strasbourg, the show will be performed at the Arsenal in Metz on 15 October.
Where? Opéra national du Rhin, Strasbourg. When? From 1 until 4 October. How much? From €6 to €36. Full details at operanationaldurhin.eu.
William Kentridge. As Bozar’s featured guest for the 2026–2027 season, the South African artist presents ‘I am not me, the horse is not mine’. The exhibition focuses on his theatrical work, which blends collage, drawing, animation and installation.
Where? Bozar, Brussels. When? Until 7 March 2027, Tuesday to Sunday, 10am–6pm. How much? €20, €14 for under-26s, free for under-18s. Full details at bozar.be.
Urban Art Biennale. The Völklinger Hütte, a former steelworks and a Unesco World Heritage Site, is hosting one of the world’s largest exhibitions dedicated to street art. This year, more works than ever before have been created on site.
Where? Völklinger Hütte, Völklingen (Saarland). When? Until 15 November, every day from 10am to 7pm. How much? €17, €15 for concessions, free for under-18s and students. Full details at voelklinger-huette.org.
