• The day traditionally begins with a Pontifical Mass in Aachen Cathedral and the General Assembly of the Karlsschützen Guild in the Coronation Hall of Aachen Town Hall.
• Visitors can look forward to an informal celebration with traditional specialties in the town hall from 11 am.
• In addition to the Coronation Hall, you can also visit the old office of the Lord Mayor, the Council Chamber, the White Hall, the Peace Hall, the Workmaster's Kitchen and the Workmaster's Court as well as the entrance hall of the Town Hall.

For many years, the Charlemagne Festival has been celebrated in Aachen on the last Sunday in January to mark the anniversary of the death of Emperor Charles
- currently on January 26, 2025. The day begins at 10 a.m. with a pontifical mass in the cathedral, at which H.E. Professor Dr. Johan Bonny, Bishop of Antwerp, will be the main celebrant. This will be followed by the General Assembly of the Karlsschützen Guild in the Coronation Hall of Aachen Town Hall and a short reception.

Karlswurst, green coal stew and a Charlemagne apple
The celebration to mark the 1,211th anniversary of Charlemagne's death will culminate in a colourful medieval hustle and bustle in Aachen Town Hall from 11 a.m. onwards. The Öcher Duemjroefe, the Limburg Knights, the city riders, Arnd Jansen with his Saker falcon, the juggler Jeremias and, of course, the Aachen Aixtra butchers, who will once again be offering their famous medieval Karlswurst sausage, a green coal stew and the Karls-Reichsapfel as a dessert.

Free guided tours of the Town Hall will be offered throughout the day. The Citizens' Dialogue will also have a stand in the foyer of the Town Hall from 10 am to 4 pm.

Frescoes depicting scenes from the life of Charlemagne
The Aachen Town Hall will be open to visitors free of charge from 10 am to 5 pm during the Charlemagne Festival. The town hall is a stop on the Route Charlemagne. The presentations of this exhibition project can therefore also be viewed at the Charlemagne Festival. In the choir bay of the Coronation Hall, for example, the largest historical paintings of the Romantic period from the 19th century, the frescoes by the Aachen artist Alfred Rethel, can be seen with their legendary and historical scenes from the life of Charlemagne. The city's new Golden Book is also presented in a display case.

Hidden rooms
In addition to the Coronation Hall, the old office of the Lord Mayor, the Council Chamber, the White Hall, the Peace Hall, the Workmaster's Kitchen and the Workmaster's Court as well as the entrance hall of the Town Hall can also be visited. Visitors can therefore also see rooms that are hidden from them on other days.

Guided tours:

Tour guide: Julia-Anna Preisler
Time: 12 - 12.45 p.m.
Meeting point: Town Hall foyer
No registration required, group size 20 people.

Guided tour of the town hall
Tour guide: Peter Breuer
Time: 2 - 2.45 pm
Meeting point: Foyer of the town hall
No registration required, group size 20 people.

Guided tour of the town hall
Family tour - Charlemagne
Tour guide: Hilbert Jan de Wal
Time: 3 - 3.45 hrs
Meeting point: Foyer Town Hall
No registration required, group size 20 people.

Guided tour of the Town Hall
Guided tour "Imperial Jewels" - will focus on Charlemagne
Tour guide: Joseph Gerkens
Time: 16 - 16.45 hrs
Meeting point: Town Hall foyer
No registration required, group size 20 people.

Further free guided tours are offered by and with Frank Pohle, head of the Route Charlemagne:

Guided tour of the Granus Tower, 10 hrs, participation NRW City of Aachen, registration required, places limited. Info: https://beteiligung.nrw.de/k/-6dm6wNJ

Guided tour of the Granus Tower, 11.30 am. Participation NRW City of Aachen, registration required, places limited. Info: https://beteiligung.nrw.de/k/-q9ccSFJq

Guided tour of the Charlemagne portraits Historic Town Hall, 1 pm. Participation NRW City of Aachen, no registration required. Info: https://beteiligung.nrw.de/k/-8qrET4RV