Works by Enrique Granados, Maurice Ravel, Gabriel Fauré, and Ludwig van Beethoven

“The contrasts that de Groot achieves are a unique pleasure. In Catherine Klipfel, he has found a brilliant partner. The two (...) complement each other sonically wonderfully.” (The Strad)

The Dutch double bassist Niek de Groot is one of the leading soloists on his instrument. Originally a trumpeter, he began playing double bass at the age of 18. Within a short time, he became the principal bassist with several European ensembles, including a ten-year tenure as the Principal Solo Bassist with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. In recent years, Niek de Groot has dedicated himself entirely to chamber music and solo performances. He regularly appears in the most famous concert halls and music festivals, performing not only the standard repertoire but also a lot of contemporary music. Since 1996, Niek de Groot has been a professor of double bass at the Folkwang University of the Arts in Essen. There, the Strasbourg-born pianist Catherine Klipfel has also been teaching since 2011, who, after her studies in Metz, Essen, Detmold, and Cologne, has performed as a soloist with renowned orchestras since 1999. Her recitals have been broadcast by various radio stations, and she has received national and international awards. In 2005, she founded the Morgenstern Trio, with which she performs on the most important stages in the world. Also independent of the trio, Catherine Klipfel is a sought-after soloist and chamber music partner.

Box office opens at 6:30 PM, entry from 7:00 PM

ABBA

MAMMA MIA and much more

IMPRESSIVE AND MOOD-FILLED PERFORMANCE

ABBA - Mamma Mia and much more brings the legendary pop group ABBA to the stage in an energetic and impressive show that will delight and captivate the audience! Hits like "Waterloo", "Fernando", "Money Money", "Dancing Queen", "Mamma Mia" and many more will ensure an unforgettable Abba concert evening. The audience will be transported back to the 1970s and 80s as they sing and dance along to these unforgettable classics.

Perfectly coordinated international performers and singers take on the roles of Agnetha, Anni Fried, Benny, and Björn and impressively and moodily present all of ABBA's hits from the past 50 years in a two-hour show!

GLAMOROUS, ECCENTRIC, MAGICAL

An elaborate lighting and sound concept, as well as beautiful glamorous costumes, ensure an authentic performance in the style of the originals. The legendary Swedish cult band has lost none of its appeal to this day and unites all generations in an unforgettable concert evening.

The ABBA - Mamma Mia and much more Show captivates the audience with its energetic and authentic interpretations that reflect the iconic sound of ABBA.

Look forward to a magical, unforgettable evening!

Doors open: 19:00 Uhr

Midori, violin

Antoine Lederlin, cello

Jonathan Biss, piano



Franz Schubert Notturno in E-flat Major D 897

1797-1828 Fantasy in C Major D 934

Piano Trio in E-flat Major D 929



„There is nothing between the music and myself.“ (Midori)



Midori is a visionary artist and educator who explores the connections between music and the human experience, breaking traditional boundaries. As one of the most famous child prodigies in classical music, she conquered the world, and as one of the leading concert violinists, she has been delighting audiences for over 40 years with a combination of graceful precision and heartfelt expressiveness. Star attitude is foreign to her, and extravagant ideas are far removed from her. With deep humility towards music, Midori always completely places herself in the background.



The celebrated artist performs with the most prestigious orchestras and collaborates with outstanding musicians. Midori regularly comes together as a piano trio with cellist Antoine Lederlin, a member of the famous Belcea Quartet, and pianist Jonathan Biss, one of the most renowned interpreters of his generation. Their debut in Mönchengladbach is dedicated to the Romantic composer Franz Schubert.



With kind support: Association of Friends and Supporters of Music in Mönchengladbach e.V.



Doors open: 6:30 PM

Closed event of the city administration Mönchengladbach!

„Vorhang op! Dä KFH es frei, för Zauberspell un Jaukelei!“

Celebrate with us the big Altweiber Party of the city administration Mönchengladbach! This year, we invite you for the first time to the Kaiser-Friedrich-Halle (KFH) – with more space, more guests, and the usual best atmosphere.

Here's what you can expect:
All-inclusive catering: Beer, sparkling wine, and soft drinks as well as a large finger food buffet are included in the ticket price.
Large community: We warmly welcome the colleagues from the city administration, the municipal subsidiaries as well as our alumni.
Fun & memories: Look forward to dancing, music, and our photo booth for the perfect souvenir photo (publication reserved for the internal blog of the administration).

Key data:
Date: Altweiber (Thursday, February 12, 2026, 11:11 AM – 8:00 PM)
Location: Kaiser-Friedrich-Halle (KFH)

Important notes:
1. The hall is only partially accessible. Guests with a physical disability can contact us for arrangements at our email address: Karnevalskomitee@moenchengladbach.de
2. An event by colleagues for colleagues! The success of the celebration depends on voluntary support. Would you like to help with setup, decoration, or bartending (1-2 hours)? Then feel free to sign up in advance at karnevalskomitee@moenchengladbach.de.

Secure your ticket now and let’s make the KFH shake together!

In 2026, the MKV will again set up three spectator stands for the Veilchendienstagsumzug on the Alten Markt in Mönchengladbach.

Two of the stands are covered and one is not covered. Additionally, guests have the opportunity to use their own restroom facilities on-site. The stands will also be gastronomically managed on a self-pay basis, ensuring that the culinary well-being is not neglected.

Ticket price - covered stand: €29.00 plus advance booking fees
Ticket price - uncovered stand: €11.00 plus advance booking fees

Presale is exclusively online or through the nationally known ticket outlets. The usual direct purchase through the MKV is no longer possible for organizational reasons. It is recommended to use the online ticket in the variants: print@home or Mobile Ticket, where no additional shipping fees will apply. The ticket must then be presented either printed or on the phone for scanning on-site.

Experience the carnival highlight at the Lower Rhine and the largest Veilchendienstagszug in Germany.

over 4,000 participants
Parade length approx. 5.5 kilometers
over 70 festival floats and tractors
over 30 baggage wagons
over 50 foot groups
about 30 dance and flag groups
almost 40 music bands

Copyright: MKV

Admission: 12:30 PM

Works by Claude Debussy, Franz Liszt, Domenico Scarlatti, Marcel Tournier, Robert Schumann, Joseph Haydn, and Henriette Renié

Johanna Dorothea Görißen, born in 2000 in Bielefeld, is a prizewinner of various international competitions and was a semifinalist in 2023 at the International ARD Music Competition in Munich. She began playing the harp at the age of eight and studied at the Hanns Eisler School of Music in Berlin and the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. She was also an academy member with the Munich Philharmonic. Since 2014, she has been supported by various foundations with scholarships for her outstanding musical achievements. The young harpist has been concertizing regularly for many years, both as a soloist in recitals and at concerts with orchestras.

Box office opens at 6:30 PM, doors open at 7:00 PM

If you rub your eyes and your brain cells are blown away: Then it's Mellow! The sympathetic magician in a hoodie is German Master of Magic (Parlor-Magic) and turns your world upside down with creative illusions and humorous storytelling!

In this captivating live show, anything that is fun is allowed.  Novel holographic video effects meet handmade magic and interactive illusions. Mellow brings Polaroid photos to life, breaks into the vault of a banknote printing company, and transforms plain paper into endless stacks of banknotes! By the time he catches the light of a shooting star with a telescope and countless fireflies fly around the room, it becomes clear – this is not an ordinary magic show! In the midst of the audience, Mellow amazes with brilliant magic tricks from his magical candy bar and floats away at the end in a soap bubble.

What is real, what is illusion? When visual entertainment and creative magic merge, it no longer matters: Because this show is just fun – for the whole family. This is Feel-Good Magic for laughter and wonder!

Duration: approx. 2 hours + break
Recommended for ages 12 and up.

Mr. Schmickler, please!

Kick-off with attitude: Wilfried Schmickler

At the start of the winter music series, it's "Mr. Schmickler, please!" on February 25. This refers, of course, to the multiple award-winning cabaret artist Wilfried Schmickler, who, with his new program, takes a sharp-tongued and pointed stance as usual. Politically relevant, witty, incorruptible – an evening for friends of sophisticated language.

Doors open: 7:00 PM

Caribbean night with Grammy flair

On February 26, the Cuban night brings hot rhythms to Mönchengladbach. With the Sons of Buena Vista, WinterMusik presents a real highlight: original musicians from the legendary clubs of Havana – including multiple Grammy winners Mayito Rivera and El Nene – unleash the entire joy of life from Cuba with their 14-member band. The Kunstwerk serves Caribbean cocktails and typical tapas – a feast for all the senses! And there’s of course space for dancing salsa couples.

Doors open: 7:00 PM

Gary Woolf, flute
Matthias Reuland, violin
Sebastian Kurz, piano

Works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Jacques Ibert, Dmitri Shostakovich,
Geraldine Green, César Cui, and Robert Schumann

“Elegance and spirit” (Westfälische Nachrichten)

The Oakmount Trio, originating from Münster and consisting of flute, violin, and piano, was founded in 2014 to perform works by the contemporary English composer Geraldine Green. After some engagements in the Münsterland, a tour in England followed in 2015 at the invitation of the composer.

Since then, the Oakmount Trio has been dedicated to rarely played compositions and has premiered several works. However, well-known composers like Bach and Shostakovich are also regularly featured on the program. The three versatile musicians, who are active as both educators and performing artists, have won numerous awards. In 2015, their CD “Green Island” featuring chamber music works by Geraldine Green was released, from which the BBC aired the four-movement trio.

Box office opens at 6:30 PM, admission from 7:00 PM

Emotional song poetry with Chris

On February 27, Chris takes the stage of the Winter Music at Kunstwerk – and this is already the fifth time. Her Songpoeten series stands for sensitive lyrics, touching melodies, and musical depth. An intimate, emotional evening full of goosebumps moments.

Doors open: 7:00 PM

There may still be remaining tickets available at the box office.

A Night in White Satin

The highlight of the concert series "WinterMusik" will once again be the legendary "Night in White Satin" on February 28 and March 1, 2026. The youth symphony orchestra of the district music school, the band FUN, and the vocal group Stimmlich merge classical and rock into a thrilling sound event. This cult night has been captivating audiences for years – and this time will also serve as the grand finale of WinterMusik on two evenings.

Doors open: 6:00 PM

A Night in White Satin

The highlight of the concert series "WinterMusic" will once again be the legendary "Night in White Satin" on February 28 and March 1, 2026. The youth symphony orchestra of the district music school, the band FUN, and the vocal group Stimmlich merge classical and rock into an exhilarating sound experience. This cult night has thrilled audiences for years – and will once again provide the grand finale of WinterMusic over two evenings.

Doors open: 3:30 PM

The Comical Night is one of the most successful live comedy formats in Germany. In the most beautiful cafes, restaurants, and venues of a city, you will experience an entertaining and lively evening - with the best entertainment provided by various comedians, cabaret artists, and other comedians. No Comical Night is the same as another.

The Comical Night offers a colorful and exciting cross-section of the current comedy scene in Germany. In each venue, up to 5 comedians perform for about 20 minutes each in one evening. The best part: During the Comical Night, you don't have to wander from place to place to see different comedians. You just need to get a ticket for your favorite venue and we will serve you several artists. During the Comical Night, it's the comedians who roam between the venues. Off one stage, onto the next. This is a true comedy marathon for both the artists and the audience.

Whether it's a restaurant or a student pub, a cultural center or a hair salon, a cinema hall or a cocktail bar - the venues of the Comical Night are as diverse as the comedians who perform here. However, the fun factor is always the same. Laughter is at the forefront of the Comical Night. And because laughing alone is possible but can sometimes seem odd, it's best to go with friends, colleagues, or - depending on the level of your humor - the in-laws to a Comical Night. Together, you can laugh, eat and drink deliciously, and in the breaks between performances, you even have enough time to relax and chat.

By the way, the first Comical Night took place in the streets of Oldenburg in 2008. Nowadays, this unique comedy marathon regularly takes place in over 40 German cities (including Bielefeld, Frankfurt, Hannover, Kassel, Lübeck, Münster, and Oldenburg).

Doors open at approximately 6:00 PM.

The Comical Night is one of the most successful live comedy formats in Germany. In the most beautiful cafes, restaurants, and venues of a city, you will experience an entertaining and lively evening - with the best entertainment provided by various comedians, cabaret artists, and other comedians. No Comical Night is the same as another.

The Comical Night offers a colorful and exciting cross-section of the current comedy scene in Germany. In each venue, up to 5 comedians perform for about 20 minutes each in one evening. The best part: During the Comical Night, you don't have to wander from place to place to see different comedians. You just need to get a ticket for your favorite venue and we will serve you several artists. During the Comical Night, it's the comedians who roam between the venues. Off one stage, onto the next. This is a true comedy marathon for both the artists and the audience.

Whether it's a restaurant or a student pub, a cultural center or a hair salon, a cinema hall or a cocktail bar - the venues of the Comical Night are as diverse as the comedians who perform here. However, the fun factor is always the same. Laughter is at the forefront of the Comical Night. And because laughing alone is possible but can sometimes seem odd, it's best to go with friends, colleagues, or - depending on the level of your humor - the in-laws to a Comical Night. Together, you can laugh, eat and drink deliciously, and in the breaks between performances, you even have enough time to relax and chat.

By the way, the first Comical Night took place in the streets of Oldenburg in 2008. Nowadays, this unique comedy marathon regularly takes place in over 40 German cities (including Bielefeld, Frankfurt, Hannover, Kassel, Lübeck, Münster, and Oldenburg).

Doors open at approximately 6:00 PM.

The Comical Night is one of the most successful live comedy formats in Germany. In the most beautiful cafes, restaurants, and venues of a city, you will experience an entertaining and lively evening - with the best entertainment provided by various comedians, cabaret artists, and other comedians. No Comical Night is the same as another.

The Comical Night offers a colorful and exciting cross-section of the current comedy scene in Germany. In each venue, up to 5 comedians perform for about 20 minutes each in one evening. The best part: During the Comical Night, you don't have to wander from place to place to see different comedians. You just need to get a ticket for your favorite venue and we will serve you several artists. During the Comical Night, it's the comedians who roam between the venues. Off one stage, onto the next. This is a true comedy marathon for both the artists and the audience.

Whether it's a restaurant or a student pub, a cultural center or a hair salon, a cinema hall or a cocktail bar - the venues of the Comical Night are as diverse as the comedians who perform here. However, the fun factor is always the same. Laughter is at the forefront of the Comical Night. And because laughing alone is possible but can sometimes seem odd, it's best to go with friends, colleagues, or - depending on the level of your humor - the in-laws to a Comical Night. Together, you can laugh, eat and drink deliciously, and in the breaks between performances, you even have enough time to relax and chat.

By the way, the first Comical Night took place in the streets of Oldenburg in 2008. Nowadays, this unique comedy marathon regularly takes place in over 40 German cities (including Bielefeld, Frankfurt, Hannover, Kassel, Lübeck, Münster, and Oldenburg).

Doors open at approximately 6:00 PM.

The Comical Night is one of the most successful live comedy formats in Germany. In the most beautiful cafes, restaurants, and venues of a city, you will experience an entertaining and lively evening - with the best entertainment provided by various comedians, cabaret artists, and other comedians. No Comical Night is the same as another.

The Comical Night offers a colorful and exciting cross-section of the current comedy scene in Germany. In each venue, up to 5 comedians perform for about 20 minutes each in one evening. The best part: During the Comical Night, you don't have to wander from place to place to see different comedians. You just need to get a ticket for your favorite venue and we will serve you several artists. During the Comical Night, it's the comedians who roam between the venues. Off one stage, onto the next. This is a true comedy marathon for both the artists and the audience.

Whether it's a restaurant or a student pub, a cultural center or a hair salon, a cinema hall or a cocktail bar - the venues of the Comical Night are as diverse as the comedians who perform here. However, the fun factor is always the same. Laughter is at the forefront of the Comical Night. And because laughing alone is possible but can sometimes seem odd, it's best to go with friends, colleagues, or - depending on the level of your humor - the in-laws to a Comical Night. Together, you can laugh, eat and drink deliciously, and in the breaks between performances, you even have enough time to relax and chat.

By the way, the first Comical Night took place in the streets of Oldenburg in 2008. Nowadays, this unique comedy marathon regularly takes place in over 40 German cities (including Bielefeld, Frankfurt, Hannover, Kassel, Lübeck, Münster, and Oldenburg).

Doors open at approximately 6:00 PM.

The Comedy Night is one of the most successful live comedy formats in Germany. In the most beautiful cafes, restaurants, and venues of a city, you will experience an entertaining and lively evening - with the best entertainment provided by various comedians, cabaret artists, and other comedians. No Comedy Night is like any other.

The Comedy Night offers a colorful and exciting cross-section of the current comedy scene in Germany. In each venue, up to 5 comedians perform for about 20 minutes in one evening. The best part: with the Comedy Night, you don't have to wander from place to place to see different comedians. You simply need to get a ticket for your favorite venue and we will serve you with multiple artists. In the Comedy Night, it's actually the comedians who move between the venues. Down from one stage, up to the next. This is a truly comedic marathon for both the artists and the audience.

Whether it's a restaurant, a student pub, a cultural center, a hair salon, a cinema, or a cocktail bar - the venues of the Comedy Night are as diverse as the comedians who perform here. What remains the same everywhere is the fun factor. Laughter is at the forefront of the Comedy Night. And because laughing alone is possible but can sometimes seem peculiar, it's best to go to a Comedy Night with friends, colleagues, or - depending on the level of your humor - even the in-laws. Together, you can laugh, eat and drink deliciously, and have enough time during the breaks between performances to have a relaxed conversation.

By the way, the first Comedy Night took place in the Oldenburg city center in 2008. This unique comedy marathon now regularly takes place in over 40 German cities (including Bielefeld, Frankfurt, Hannover, Kassel, Lübeck, Münster, and Oldenburg).

Admission from around 6:00 PM

No tickets available here

The Comedy Night is one of the most successful live comedy formats in Germany. In the most beautiful cafes, restaurants, and venues of a city, you will experience an entertaining and lively evening - with the best entertainment provided by various comedians, cabaret artists, and other comedians. No Comedy Night is like any other.

The Comedy Night offers a colorful and exciting cross-section of the current comedy scene in Germany. In each venue, up to 5 comedians perform for about 20 minutes in one evening. The best part: with the Comedy Night, you don't have to wander from place to place to see different comedians. You simply need to get a ticket for your favorite venue and we will serve you with multiple artists. In the Comedy Night, it's actually the comedians who move between the venues. Down from one stage, up to the next. This is a truly comedic marathon for both the artists and the audience.

Whether it's a restaurant, a student pub, a cultural center, a hair salon, a cinema, or a cocktail bar - the venues of the Comedy Night are as diverse as the comedians who perform here. What remains the same everywhere is the fun factor. Laughter is at the forefront of the Comedy Night. And because laughing alone is possible but can sometimes seem peculiar, it's best to go to a Comedy Night with friends, colleagues, or - depending on the level of your humor - even the in-laws. Together, you can laugh, eat and drink deliciously, and have enough time during the breaks between performances to have a relaxed conversation.

By the way, the first Comedy Night took place in the Oldenburg city center in 2008. This unique comedy marathon now regularly takes place in over 40 German cities (including Bielefeld, Frankfurt, Hannover, Kassel, Lübeck, Münster, and Oldenburg).

Admission from around 6:00 PM

No tickets available here