Some concerts you simply do not forget. Such was the case when Víkingur Ólafsson performed Bach’s monumental Goldberg Variations at the 2023 Lucerne Festival. He did so in a way few had ever encountered before: as a vivid drama of the human condition, bringing a multitude of voices and characters to life and spanning the full range of emotions. He subsequently took the work on tour, performing it nearly 100 times around the world. “This piece is very close to me, so I’ve been giving it a bit of a rest because I wanted to have a fresh take on it,” Víkingur recalls. That time away from the Goldbergs gave rise to a bold idea. For the opening of Lucerne Festival Pulse — which he will curate for the next three years — Víkingur will join forces with his compatriot, the celebrated visual artist Olafur Eliasson, to reimagine Bach’s masterpiece as a Gesamtkunstwerk: a total work of art uniting sound and light projection. The setting for this 90-minute journey through time and space is the St. Pius Church in Meggen, with its delicate walls of translucent marble. Eliasson will respond to Víkingur’s playing in real time with his new, site-specific light installation, making each of the three performances unique. “I don’t really know how it’s going to turn out,” says Víkingur. “But that should be the spirit of the festival, to embrace the unexpected.”
Kultur- und Kongresszentrum Luzern
Europaplatz 1
CH-6005 Luzern
Arrival | Parking Facilities
The KKL Luzern is located right next to Lucerne railway station. On account of the traffic and parking situation, it is recommended during Festival season that visitors use public transportation.
Arriving by train & bus
Take advantage of a 40% discount on public transport to Lucerne. You can find more Information here: to the SBB offer.
Arriving by Auto
Lucerne has a dynamic system to indicate parking availability that makes parking in the city easier for you. You can find a list of all parking garages in the City of Lucerne here: see List.
P+Rail
Various train stations outside the City of Lucerne have a Park & Ride offer for those traveling by train to Lucerne. The following train stations, which have abundant parking spaces, are especially handy: Sursee, Rotkreuz, Zug, Wolhusen, Arth-Goldau, and Sarnen.
Flying to Switzerland
Reserve your flight directly with SWISS , the Official Airline of Lucerne Festival.
Concierge Service for Your Travel Planning
Do you prefer to have your trip planned, with an emphasis on the “extra” in service? Then the travel experts at Bucher Reisen are readily available to help you.
Cloakroom
There are coat checkrooms not only in the basement, but also on the 2nd and 4th floors. Handbags up to a size of 42 x 29.7 x 29.7 cm (A3) may be taken into the concert hall. All larger bags and luggage as well as other bulky items must be checked for a fee of CHF 5.00 per item. For security reasons, coats and jackets may also not be taken into the concert hall and can be left at the checkroom free of charge.
Wheelchair seating
The main concert hall of the KKL Lucerne has six wheelchair spaces available on special terms. Accompanying persons cannot be assured of obtaining a seat in the same price range or in the general vicinity.
To reserve wheelchair spaces please call our ticket sales office directly at +41 (0)41 226 4480. Wheelchair spaces are always made available as soon as online ticket sales begin but can only be reserved by telephone.
Access to venues | Late admission
The main KKL Concert Hall opens 30 minutes before the beginning of the concert. For the sake of the musicians and the audience, latecomers will not be admitted until intermission or at the discretion of the Concert Hall staff. In certain instances concerts will have no intermission and allow no latecomers.
If the concert is missed on account of late arrival, tickets will not be refunded.
Gastronomy
In the KKL Luzern
In the mood for a cocktail at the Seebar? Coffee and fine pastries at the Le Piaf? Or would you prefer a multi-course menu in the Gault MiIlau-rated restaurant Lucide? The culinary possibilities in the KKL Luzern are many and varied. Before the concert begins, you can reserve your drinks and snacks for intermission at the KKL information desk in the main lobby of the KKL Luzern. Overview of the restaurants
In Lucerne
Within walking distance of all event venues you can find a wide variety of restaurants, bars, and cafés. The Lucerne Tourism office will gladly assist you in making your selection. Overview of Lucerne Tourism
Víkingur Ólafsson | Olafur Eliasson
Víkingur Ólafsson | Olafur Eliasson
