Andre Rieu Concert Maastricht

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Every summer, the Vrijthof Square in the delightful Dutch city of Maastricht hosts one of the most captivating music events in Europe: the André Rieu concert.

Known for bringing classical music to the masses, Rieu ensures that his hometown concert is more than just a musical event. The feel-good factor of the experience reflects the laid back and friendly nature of Maastricht.

In this blog post, I outline tips you need to know when attending the Andre Rieu Maastricht concert, what the concert entails, and how to make the most of your time in the city.

Vrijthof before Andre Rieu concert — Vrijthof before the concert

TIPS FOR THE ANDRE RIEU CONCERT MAASTRICHT

If you are not travelling as part of a specific group tour, buy the tickets directly from his website.
If buying directly, tickets sell fast so sign up to his newsletter or keep an eye on his website.
There are various categories of tickets with different add-on options (e.g. ticket only, ticket & dinner, ticket & dinner & hotel).
If buying the ticket only or the ticket & dinner option, book your accommodation straight away as Maastricht sells out quickly. Have a look here for Maastricht deals.
If you book online, you will receive an email a couple of weeks beforehand with all the dos and don’ts for the concert: What to bring/not to bring etc.
The concert starts at 9pm and finishes after midnight.
The concert is fully seated. You can reserve a wheelchair seat by contacting the number on Andre Rieu’s website in advance.
If you can’t get accommodation in Maastricht, Valkenburg is a good alternative. However, the concert goes beyond midnight so you will have to leave early to catch the train. This is the benefit of staying in Maastricht city centre.
Even if the weather is glorious during the day, bring a jacket as it gets cold in the night. If the weather is raining, you cannot bring an umbrella. Ponchos will be provided.
Stay in Maastricht for at least 2 nights. It’s a lovely city and is a worthy destination in its own right (see below). You can do a three-country trip as Belgium and Germany are nearby. The Three-Country Train goes from Liege in Belgium to Maastricht and onwards to Aachen in Germany.

THE CONCERT: REVIEW

Firstly, everything about the show itself is wonderful. The music, the sound quality, the staging, the set, the costumes, and of course Mr Rieu’s exceptional ability to act as Master of Ceremonies and conductor. His emphasis on inclusivity is to be admired.

Outdoor classical concerts are truly special and this concert was no exception. The atmosphere was marvellous and is to be experienced. He mixed up the playlist with different genres of music including contemporary and opera, as well as classical.

Vrijthof before the Andre Rieu concert — Vrijthof before the concert

Health and safety precautions at the concert are good. Bags are checked on the way into the concert. The concert I attended had to be stopped twice to allow medical personnel to attend two emergencies in the audience. Rieu handled the situation very well.

Everyone overseeing the concert from security to ushers were exceptionally pleasant and had excellent English.

As for facilities within the Vrijthof during the show, there are toilets at the edge of the square for concertgoers. There are also small kiosks where drinks (alcoholic & non-alcoholic) can be purchased.

There is a break during the concert (10.30pm approx).

WHAT ELSE TO SEE AND DO IN MAASTRICHT

The Maastricht Meander

Maastricht is a beautiful city. Meander aimlessly. Maastricht is built on the River Maas, so do a river walk between Wilhelminabrug and De Hoge Brug (bridges).

Maastricht Town Hall on Markt Square — City Hall in Markt Square

Stop for a coffee

Maastricht has a great café culture. Watch the world go by or simply watch those exploring Maastricht aimlessly. I particularly liked the café scene around Onze Lieve Vrouweplein, a square beside the basilica.

Explore Maastricht’s history

Maastricht Museum tells the story of the city from its first settlers to the Romans to its industrialised age.

There is also an area dedicated to the Maastricht Treaty, the foundation treaty of the European Union. Included here is the original desk that the treaty was signed on, photographs and signatures of the twelve EEC leaders who signed it, and other memorabilia. If you come from one of the twelve founding countries, this is an interesting display.

Do a day trip to Valkenburg

Only a couple of minutes by train from Maastricht lies Valkenburg, a historical town overlooked by a castle. The town’s cobblestone streets are lined with quaint cafes, boutique shops, and historic buildings, giving it a cozy atmosphere.

Priced out of Maastricht, we stayed in Valkenburg and were impressed with the town. We particularly took note of the goat statue in Den Halderpark that refers to the folklore legend of the Buck riders (Bokkenrijders). Goat-themed Puck Fair is my local festival in Ireland.

Tunnel Tours

When leaving Maastricht, this activity was recommended by locals and, on my return home, by my Dutch neighbour. Located south of Maastricht in the Sint Pieter area, a series of tunnels were dug into the limestone for mining purposes. During World War II, the tunnels were used to house armaments and valuable art works.

FINAL THOUGHTS

There is something very enchanting about the Andre Rieu Maastricht concert. I was sorry to leave the festive atmosphere of the Vrijthof square behind. But at the same time, the magic stayed with me after the concert. And the memories will last a lifetime.

Even if you have no intention of attending the Andre Rieu concert, do consider visiting Maastricht. It is an attractive town with reasonably priced shopping and eating opportunities. And the people will be delighted to welcome you.