New Year's Concert 2026 – Staatstheater Mainz

The New Year's Concert at the Staatstheater Mainz is one of the fixed highlights of the Mainz classical season. On Sunday, January 4, 2026, at 7 PM, the venue on Gutenbergplatz invites you to the festive New Year's Concert in the Große Haus.

Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Mainz

On stage is the Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Mainz, one of Germany's oldest orchestras. The musical direction is by Gabriel Venzago, an internationally sought-after young conductor. The soloist for the evening is violinist Mihail Katev, who is very familiar to the Mainz audience.

Host: Klaus Wallendorf

The event is hosted by Klaus Wallendorf – long-time principal horn player of the Berliner Philharmoniker and one of the most charming masters of ceremonies in the classical music scene in German-speaking countries. With him, the concert promises to be not only a musical but also an entertaining experience.

French Soundscapes and Viennese Waltzes

The program is themed French Soundscapes and Viennese Waltzes. It thus combines two of the richest traditions in European concert music: the colorful orchestration of French late Romanticism and Impressionism (from Bizet to Massenet, Ravel, and Debussy) with the unmistakable waltz bliss of the Strauss dynasty from Vienna. A mix that is perfectly suited for a convivial festive evening, bridging the spirit of the concert hall and the ballroom.

Staatstheater Mainz

Built in 1833, the Staatstheater Mainz, with its characteristic neoclassical-modern Große Haus on Gutenbergplatz, is the city's central stage for opera, drama, dance, and concerts. With around 800 seats, it provides a fitting setting for a traditional New Year's concert.