VriendenLoterij ZomerConcerten 2026: nearly 4,000 musicians from 25 countries across 80 concerts

Het Concertgebouw welcomes nearly 4,000 musicians from 25 countries across 80 concerts this summer. From 29 June to 31 August, the concert hall is given over entirely to two months of VriendenLoterij ZomerConcerten. The festival's winning formula — accessible classical music alongside pop, jazz and film music — draws new audiences year after year. This edition is no exception, with a programme ranging from Mahler symphonies and flamenco by 83-year-old grandmaster Paco Peña to Roxeanne Hazes with the ZO! Gospel Choir and a WorldPride Choral Festival.

Established names and emerging talent

The Grote Zaal stage this summer is home to many young soloists — six of them under thirty — including pianist Mao Fujita and violinist Daniel Lozakovich. Alongside them, established names return to the programme: cellist Gautier Capuçon, a regular summer guest, and Wagner star soprano Nina Stemme. Piano phenomenon Hayato Sumino follows his triumphant debut last summer with a solo recital combining classical repertoire with works of his own.

Mahler and youth orchestras from around the world

Mahler enthusiasts are well served this summer, with performances of the Fourth, Fifth and Seventh symphonies. Soprano Julia Kleiter performs the deeply moving Rückert-Lieder alongside the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra. Youth orchestras are again strongly represented, with no fewer than six appearing this summer — among them the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, celebrating its tenth anniversary with its Amsterdam debut, the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (in trainers), and from the Netherlands, the Jeugdorkest Nederland.

From flamenco and ballroom to pop and Amsterdam's finest songs

Beyond the classical tradition, the festival has much to offer. Flamenco legend Paco Peña, at 83 still a force of nature, takes to the Grote Zaal stage alongside Dutch stars Roxeanne Hazes and BLØF. Six concerts place film music centre stage, while Roel van Velzen, Ruben Hein and Daria van den Bercken come together to explore the music of The Beatles.

The Kleine Zaal plays host to Roma jazz, Irish music, South American tango and French chansons. Around WorldPride, a series of special evenings celebrates the diversity and tolerance that define Amsterdam. The programme includes music by queer composers performed by Harriet Krijgh & Friends, the WorldPride Choral Festival Queer Voices Unite, and Our People — A Celebration of Black and Queer Voices, in which song, dance and image converge. Classical music and ballroom collide during Opus 1 Ball with Amsterdam Sinfonietta and ballwalkers. And this summer once again honours the Amsterdam song in a new edition of Amsterdam in Concert, featuring Karin Bloemen, Jamai and Glennis Grace.

Around the concerts

After selected concerts, ZomerConcerten Live! invites audiences to meet their favourite musicians, attend interviews or dance in the Entreehal. Visitors can dine at restaurant LIER before many performances, and at the interval enjoy Minty Melon Splash — a refreshing summer cocktail, available alcohol-free.