Ash Wednesday Concert Tradition Continues in Maastricht with the Maastricht Salon Orchestra
Maastricht’s annual Hieringebiete concert, a tradition of celebrating the conclude of carnival season, will return on Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at the Onze Lieve Vrouweplein (Our Dear Lady square). The concert, performed by the Maastricht Salon Orchestra, was revived in 2025 by André Rieu’s team and continues this year with Frank Steijns leading the orchestra.
A Tradition Revived
The “Hieringebiete” (Herring-bites concert) tradition was originally conceived in the early 1980s by André Rieu. Initially held during lunchtime in the former Redoute theatre, the concerts gained popularity as a way to mark the end of carnival festivities before the start of Lent. As the audience grew, the event moved to larger venues.
2025 Revival and Frank Steijns’ Leadership
In 2025, the tradition was brought back to life by the Tempeleers, the organizers of Maastricht’s carnival events, in collaboration with André Rieu and his orchestra. While Rieu did not perform at the 2025 concert, he entrusted the leadership to his right-hand man, Frank Steijns. Steijns, along with four other musicians from Rieu’s Johann Strauss Orchestra, performed a 90-minute program of light classical music. AndrerieuMovies.com
2026 Concert Details
The 2026 Hieringebiete concert will follow a similar format to the 2025 event, with Frank Steijns again leading the Maastricht Salon Orchestra. The concert is free and open to the public. Attendees can enjoy herring and other delicacies from the many cafés surrounding the Onze Lieve Vrouweplein. De Nieuwe Ster Maastricht
A Gift to the City
Pierre Rieu, speaking about the concert, described it as a “gift to the city.” The location of the concert, on the Onze Lieve Vrouweplein, is particularly meaningful as it is situated in front of Hotel Derlon, owned by Pierre Rieu. De Nieuwe Ster Maastricht
Recent Performance
In September 2025, the Maastricht Salon Orchestra delivered a magical performance of “Limburg” in celebration of Rowwen Hèze’s 40th anniversary in Roermond. YouTube
History of the Concert
The Hieringbiete-konzèr began in the late 1970s and grew into an Ash Wednesday tradition in Maastricht. L1