Press releases

As part of the Aachen World Championships Special—the supporting program for the 2026 World Equestrian Games in Aachen—the event management team at the City of Aachen’s Cultural Services has curated a diverse cultural program in collaboration with the independent arts scene.

From August 11 through August 23, a wide variety of cultural events and artistic performances will be held at various locations in the city center and around the Musikmuschel in the Kurpark. For young and old, from classical to modern—there’s something for everyone. In the courtyard, in cooperation between the Kulturbetrieb and Hofkultur e. V., various concerts, a graffiti workshop, and improvisational theater will take place. The Aachen Adult Education Center (Volkshochschule Aachen) is also offering events for an international audience during the second week of the World Cup.

Rainer Beck, Head of Event Management in the cultural sector, emphasizes the importance of the program: “Together with the independent arts scene, we want to showcase just how creative and multifaceted culture in Aachen is. The program is aimed at both out-of-town and international guests of the horse show as well as the citizens of Aachen.”

Monday, August 17, 2:00 p.m. Rotunde

Duo
Dali Music

The award-winning Aachen-based duo Dali is dedicated to chamber music and places particular emphasis on a varied concert program that brings together different musical traditions and styles, showcasing the tonal diversity of the flute and harp. Their repertoire spans a wide range, from French-influenced musical culture to Latin American rhythms and modern, jazz-inspired elements.

Monday, August 17, 3:00 p.m. Karlsbrunnen “Paths

Against Forgetting” – Event hosted by VHS
Aachen Education

Take an interactive walking tour through downtown Aachen to delve into the city’s history during the Nazi era.
With a focus on Aachen’s population, you’ll learn who carried out the regime’s ethno-nationalist, anti-Semitic, and racist violence, who profited from it, and who fell victim to it and/or resisted it.
This event will be conducted in English. Registration through the Adult Education Center is required.

Monday, August 17, 4:45 p.m. Hof

BÖSE
BAND Music

BÖSE BAND plays rock and pop with original German lyrics. Their songs—most of which are original and follow in the tradition of Udo Lindenberg, Stoppok, or Gerd Köster—often deal with everyday stories, love, or socially critical themes. That said, the people of Aachen also get their moment in the spotlight in some of the songs. An hour-long journey through all musical genres at a high level.

Monday, August 17, 6:00 p.m.

Market Riz
Andalas Music

Having grown up between cultures, Riz explores themes such as identity, migration, and belonging in his music. He speaks of the feeling of living between two worlds—a place between home and a foreign land, between memory and a new beginning. This personal perspective lends his songs an emotional depth that goes far beyond individual experiences and strikes a universal chord.

Monday, the 17thAugust, 18.30 Uhr  
Hoftu
.
lipsMusic

Galloping handpan beats meet dreamy vocals and spirited guitar. Marten, Mai, and Adrian are tu.lips, who together create the perfect soundtrack for daydreaming. With elements of jazz, R&B, and reggae, this Aachen-based trio creates music that invites you to pause and reflect. Come by and let yourself be enchanted.

Tuesday, August 18, 3:00 p.m. Start
: Elisengarten, Hartmannstr.
Clown
Marco Music

Juggling, magic, a diabolo show, a fakir show featuring fire, a bed of nails, or broken glass—and, of course, lots of fun and silliness. The real stars, however, are the children in front of or on stage: In all performances, active audience participation is always the main focus.

Tuesday, August 18, 6:00 p.m.

Market The
Xperience Music

The Xperience has made a name for itself by skillfully combining great rock classics and performing them on stage with great emotion. Drawing on their extensive experience and musical talent, Xperience presents challenging songs that are rarely heard in these combinations and with this sound. The energy quickly takes hold, and the evening becomes an unforgettable event. The show turns into an emotional journey through time.

Wednesday, August 19, 6:00 p.m. HofDuo

Soul
Flower Music & Dance

A groovy Rhodes piano, a warm voice—Moritz Schippers and Julia Walberg bring authentic soul sounds to life with their duo “Soul Flower.” Pure emotional expression meets sophisticated songwriting. With plenty of creative freedom and virtuosity, they interpret the music of heroes and heroines past and present. Thus, Bill Withers and Donnie Hathaway find themselves in the best of company alongside Beyoncé and Lianne La Havas in a program that offers comfort during life’s low points while also celebrating its high points.

Wednesday, August 19, 8:00 p.m. HofProff


Kenya Music

Proff Kenya is an Afro-reggae and Afro-dancehall artist born in Nairobi and based in Germany who has developed his own unique sound, blending modern African energy with powerful messages. Since moving to Germany, he has been bringing the sound of Nairobi to European stages and is known for his authentic, danceable music and powerful stage presence.

Thursday, August 20, 2:00 p.m. Entenpfuhler
Weg
11 From Equestrian Sports to the Front Lines – An event presented by VHS AachenKultur

The Grenzwald forest west of Aachen was not spared by World War II either. To this day, visible traces of massive defensive fortifications can be found, as well as hastily dug trenches and foxholes. Now, in light of recent events, we will take a look at the 1939 Chio—was it the greatest equestrian event or a propaganda tool?
This event will be held in English. Registration through the Adult Education Center is required.

Donnerstag, 20. August, 18 Uhr
HofJooles
& The Hidden Tracks
Music

Honest, direct, and straight to the point. Their songs emerge from tension and calm, born in the moment—and that’s exactly how they’re performed. Sometimes it bursts forth, sometimes everything stands still, then it’s right there again, almost immediate. On stage, something happens between the band and the audience that can’t be captured. Jooles & The Hidden Tracks really touch your heart.
For this concert, the motto is: turn off your head, turn on your heart.

Thursday, August 20, 6:00 p.m.

MarktL ’Equipe Lab
Music

This all-star lineup, with roots in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany, consists of musicians with impressive résumés, international experience, and a shared passion for jazz, groove, and improvisation. Real songs, but full of improvisation. “L’Equipe Lab” swings, twists, surprises, rocks, and comforts. Anything is possible; anything goes.

Thursday, August 20, 8:00 p.m. Hof


Carlashnikova Music

Carlashnikova blends feelings of happiness with nostalgia, rap with D'n'B, '00s bangers with modern happy hardcore. Here, you'll find cuddling in the mosh pit and the full spectrum of emotions. A mix of rap, emotion, and going wild.

Friday, August 21, 4:00 p.m. Buchkremerstr
. (across from Mayersche Buchhandlung)
Trio
Coloris Music

From Mediterranean impressions to romantic night music, impressionistic subtlety, and South American rhythms, all the way to modern soundscapes, the program spans a wide arc across eras and cultures. The program for flute, viola, and harp transports listeners into the worlds of dance, soundscapes, and contemplation, impressively showcasing the great expressiveness and versatility of this beloved instrumental combination.

Friday, August 21, 6:00 p.m. Courtyard

Charlotte Haesen & Band
Music

A journey back to her roots in Rwanda, a tribute to identity and transformation. Together with musicians from Curaçao, Colombia, Poland, and Turkey, the Maastricht-based singer blends African-inspired alternative pop with soulful melodies and danceable, infectious rhythms—perfect for a summer evening.

Friday, August 21, 7:30 p.m.
Barockfabrik Forecourt
Puerto Hurraco Sisters
Dance

In their program, the PUERTO HURRACO SISTERS blend handpicked jazz themes—primarily from the hard bop and soul jazz eras of the late 1950s—with the offbeat grooves of 1960s and 1970s Jamaica.
Their passion for the offbeat, their musical virtuosity, and their self-deprecating sense of humor turn the PUERTO HURRACO SISTERS’ concerts into entertaining dance evenings that always send their audience home a little happier as the night draws to a close.

Friday, August 21, 8:00 p.m

. Hof Sin
Fronteras Music & Dance

With plenty of oomph: a mix of ska, reggae, and Latin music that keeps both your feet and your mind moving. Lead singer and the heart of the band, Juan Pablo Raimundo, writes songs in Spanish about his homeland, El Salvador, and global political issues. “No to war” remains one of the main messages. Between verses, the tight-knit horn trio gets the crowd fired up with passionate improvisation and well-coordinated harmonies.

Saturday, August 22, 1:30 p.m

., 3:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m. Rotunde Now or Never
Dance & Theater

“Now or Never” is a poetic plea for the courage to make a decision—in the moment that changes everything.
An intense dance-theater piece about the moment of decision. Between inner turmoil and outer stillness, a physical dialogue unfolds, woven from doubt, fear, and determination. Driven by the question of who we could be—and who we will remain if we do not act—the movement intensifies into a maelstrom of urgency and transformation.

Saturday, August 22, 3:30 p.m. & 5:00 p.m. Elisenbrunnen
,

Eisenmann KLANGKARRE Music

The KLANGKARRE has been rolling through Europe as the ultimate music vehicle since 2021. Originally conceived as a street music project, its centerpiece is a loop station on which all the instruments on board are recorded live. Within this multifaceted soundscape, a jazz-inspired saxophone adds stylistic variety to the live performances—which often begin with jazzy loops and seamlessly transition into danceable techno.

Saturday, August 22, 4:00 p.m. Start
: Elisengarten, Hartmannstr.

Bookabella Kids

Magical encounters in downtown Aachen.

The BookaBella princesses enchant young and old alike with magical encounters, cheerful interactions, and unforgettable photo opportunities. Look forward to popular fairy tale characters like Rapunzel, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, the Snow Queen, and many more, who will be strolling through downtown and making children’s eyes light up.

Saturday, August 22, 6:00 p.m. MarktClaim

21
Dance & Theater

Claim 21 stands for “handcrafted” music, straight-ahead rock songs, and soulful blues. The band’s repertoire reflects the influences of these timeless musical genres. Whether in the atmosphere of a “live music club” or at large open-air events, Claim 21 knows how to thrill the audience.

Sunday, August 23, 11 a.m. Elisengarten

magic inside Magic

Magic Inside – Magic Up Close. Close-up magic allows visitors to participate in the tricks. This makes the magic an immediate and entertaining experience. It’s great fun to watch the audience puzzle over the tricks and chat with them about how the trick might work. From magic with cards, coins, ropes, rings, and everyday objects to individual tricks from various other areas of magic, there’s something for everyone.

Sunday, August 23, 12:00 p.m. Rotunde

Hip-Hop Dance
Battle Dance

Test your skills in a 1-on-1 All-Style Battle! You can dance in various urban dance styles.
Sign up on-site up to about 30 minutes before the battles begin.

Sunday, August 23, 6:00 p.m.

Market Somebody Wrong
Blues Band Music

One of the region’s oldest active blues bands will be performing at the World Cup Special.
The Somebody Wrong Blues Band delivers top-notch rhythm & blues in the tradition of the Allman Brothers, Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, blues legends like B.B. King and Muddy Waters, as well as the Tedeschi Trucks Band and J.J. Cale.
Building on the originals, the band has developed its very own style and captivates audiences with exciting and entirely fresh interpretations of classic rhythm & blues.

Information on

The program is subject to change or postponement. You can find the latest updates in the City of Aachen's event calendar at https://www.aachen.de/veranstaltungskalender/ under the keyword “Reit-WM” and at aachenwmspecial.de