The Utrecht Early Music Festival, known locally as Festival Oude Muziek Utrecht, is one of Europe's most respected showcases for early music, presenting hundreds of concerts in and around TivoliVredenburg. Whether you're planning a full trip or a single performance, understanding the ticketing process helps you book smoothly and avoid surprises.
Tickets for most concerts are sold directly by the festival organizer, though some events may be booked through local venues or partner organizations; for concerts in Belgium, for instance, you must order through the venues themselves. As ticket policies can evolve between editions, always check the organizer's official ticket sales page for the most current details.
Ordering Tickets Online
The most direct route is to order through the festival's concert calendar or, for the main festival, the schedule published for that edition. The online system lets you browse performances, select seats where seating is allocated, and pay conveniently.
After choosing your tickets, you can pay with iDEAL/Wero, credit card, or PodiumCadeaukaart, and you'll receive an email confirmation. For a step-by-step walkthrough, the festival provides a guide on its website; bookmark it if you're new to the process.
Ordering by Telephone and in Writing
Prefer to talk to a human? You can call +31 30 232 90 10 on weekdays from 10:00 to 16:00. The phone lines opened at different times for different series: for the Festival Oude Muziek Tournees, telephone sales began on 1 June 2026, while for the main Utrecht festival, general sale started on 2 June 2025. For the most recent edition, check the organizer's website for the exact on-sale dates.
Alternatively, you can order in writing by mailing the form included in the printed brochure or by emailing [email protected]. Once your order is processed, you'll receive a summary with a payment link; bank transfer is also possible if you indicate that on the form.
Delivery and Administrative Costs
The delivery fee depends on how you receive your tickets. According to the organizer's ticket sales page, an e-ticket order costs a €2 administrative fee per order, while a postal delivery order costs €4.50 per order. E-tickets arrive by email and can be printed or shown on a smartphone; postal tickets are mailed within a few weeks, but this option is unavailable if the concert takes place within five working days of ordering.
If you're booking close to the performance date and postal delivery isn't possible, you can still order e-tickets or make a reservation to pick up and pay at the concert venue. Just remember to collect reserved tickets at least 15 minutes before the concert starts.
Returning and Exchanging Tickets
Plans change, and the festival offers flexibility: you can exchange your tickets for any other concert currently on general sale, paying or receiving the difference in price. If you'd rather not pick a specific alternative, you can exchange for a credit to use at that year's festival or during the current season.
Refunds are more limited: tickets are refunded only if you cancel before a sold-out concert or in special circumstances. In every case, you must submit your exchange request at least two hours before the performance, by email or by calling the same phone number during weekday hours.
Seating Categories and Allocation
At some venues, seats are split into ranks: rank 1 offers the best view of the musicians and is priced higher, while rank 2 is less favourable but cheaper. Your ticket will always state whether seating is allocated or open.
When ordering online for an allocated-seating concert, you can pick your exact seats from a seating chart. If you order by phone, form, or email, you can mention seating preferences, and the team will do its best to accommodate you.
Rates and Discounts
Several groups qualify for reduced rates on most concerts: students, CJP cardholders, and visitors under 31. When you order, you'll need to apply the correct rate, and you must be ready to show a valid document (such as a student ID or CJP card) at the venue entrance.
Friends of Early Music enjoy a special discount that can be redeemed by entering their unique Friend code, which is emailed to them and printed on their Friend card. The discount applies to up to two tickets per concert. If you've lost your code, you can request it by email or phone during office hours.
For the Festival Oude Muziek Tournees, which takes early music to multiple cities, you can save with location-specific subscriptions for cities hosting four or more concerts, or by ordering tickets for at least four different Tournees concerts to get 20% off. Note that the 20% discount isn't applied automatically when ordering online; you must select it yourself.
Accessibility Bookings
The festival holds reserved seats for visitors with mobility difficulties and for wheelchair users. These accessible seats can only be booked by phone, email, or written order—not through the online system—so be sure to contact the ticket office directly.
When booking, mention any specific needs such as extra legroom or a preferred seat location. The festival prefers you to use the order form or email for accessible seat requests, and phone ordering was only available from 1 June for the 2026 edition. For future editions, confirm the exact booking window with the organizer.
Practical Tips for Planning Your Visit
If you're assembling a full festival trip, start by checking the official festival dates and program for the upcoming edition on the organizer's website or the comprehensive Utrecht Early Music Festival guide. Because individual concert schedules and on-sale periods shift each year, verify the current dates before you book travel or accommodation.
To stay informed about ticket sales, program announcements, and deadlines, subscribe to the festival's monthly newsletter (currently available in Dutch) or follow their social media channels. For last-minute decisions, remember that you can often make a reservation by phone and pay at the venue, but you'll need to arrive early to collect your tickets.
If you're exploring other cultural events in the Netherlands, our Festivals in the Netherlands guide lists major festivals across the country, including other Utrecht gatherings such as De Parade and Le Guess Who?.
Plan Your Visit
Booking tickets for the Utrecht Early Music Festival is straightforward if you know your options. Online ordering is the most convenient for choosing seats and paying instantly, while phone or written orders are essential for accessible seating and are useful if you prefer personal assistance.
Keep the key facts in mind: e-tickets and postal tickets each carry an administrative fee per order, and postal delivery stops five working days before a concert. Exchanges are possible up to two hours before the performance, but refunds are rare, so choose your concerts carefully.
Before you book, always confirm the current festival dates, on-sale periods, and any policy changes on the organizer's official website, where the delivery fees are also listed. With a little planning, you'll be ready to enjoy the rich program of early music in Utrecht.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I buy tickets for the Utrecht Early Music Festival?
Tickets can be purchased online through the festival's concert calendar or schedule, by phone at +31 30 232 90 10 on weekdays from 10:00 to 16:00, or by mailing or emailing the order form from the printed brochure. Some concerts may be booked through local venues, and concerts in Belgium are only available through the venues.
What are the ticket delivery and administrative costs?
Delivery fees depend on how you receive your tickets. The organizer's official ticket sales page lists the current administrative fees per order for e-tickets and for postal delivery. Postal delivery is not possible if the concert takes place within five working days of ordering, in which case you can choose e-tickets or make a reservation.
Can I exchange or get a refund for Utrecht Early Music Festival tickets?
Yes, you can exchange tickets for another concert on general sale or for a credit to use at the current festival or season, provided you request the exchange at least two hours before the performance. Refunds are only given when you cancel before a sold-out concert or in special circumstances.
Are there discounts for students or Friends of Early Music?
Students, CJP holders, and visitors under 31 can order most concert tickets at a reduced rate; you'll need to show valid ID at the venue. Friends of Early Music receive a discount on up to two tickets per concert by entering their unique Friend code.
