Gezeitenkonzerte – Advent in Emden's Great Church

Gezeitenkonzerte — An East Frisian Classical Institution

The Gezeitenkonzerte are the largest and most renowned classical music festival in East Frisia. For years, the Ostfriesische Landschaft has brought internationally acclaimed soloists and ensembles to the churches, castles, and concert halls of the region with this series. The festival travels across East Frisia — from Emden via Aurich to Norden, Esens, and Leer — utilizing the acoustic and architectural features of each venue.

The Große Kirche in Emden

The Große Kirche in Emden is one of the most important Reformed churches in Northern Germany. Already a center of the Reformed faith movement around Johannes a Lasco in the 16th century, it now houses the internationally renowned Johannes a Lasco Bibliothek — a research library for Reformed theology and church history. Its historic ambiance and excellent acoustics make it an ideal concert venue.

Advent Program

The Advent concerts of the Gezeitenkonzerte series draw on the musical heritage of the Advent season: works from the Baroque to Romantic periods and up to modern times, often with a special focus on Christmas themes and liturgical connections. The programs typically range from Bach cantatas to works by Mendelssohn and Brahms, as well as pieces by contemporary composers.

Dates 2026

The exact dates and programs for the 2026 Advent concerts in Emden's Great Church will be published by the Ostfriesische Landschaft in the autumn via the official festival calendar. Concerts are expected in December 2026 (Advent Sundays).

A Quiet Highlight in Wintery Emden

The Advent concerts are deliberately not a loud event — they are a quiet, contemplative counterpoint to the hustle and bustle of the pre-Christmas season. Those who have experienced an Advent evening in the Great Church once often return.