For days it has been so cold that old Pettersson and his cat Findus don’t want to stick their noses outside, and just when it gets a little warmer, the old man sprains his foot. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. How are the two of them supposed to get a Christmas tree now? And how about stockfish, meatballs, and gingerbread? What a lovely mess!

For days it has been so cold that old Pettersson and his cat Findus don’t want to stick their noses outside, and just when it gets a little warmer, the old man sprains his foot. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. How are the two of them supposed to get a Christmas tree now? And how about stockfish, meatballs, and gingerbread? What a lovely mess!

TATORT 110 – ZWEI KRIMISERIEN AUF DER SPUR
In 1970, the "Tatort" crosshair flickered across the screen for the first time. Only a year later, "Polizeiruf 110" in the then GDR kept its audience on the edge of their seats. Today, the developments of the two cult crime series are hardly imaginable without each other. Already the first "Tatort" sent a Hamburg commissioner to Leipzig, and on the occasion of the German reunification, the investigative teams of both series worked together, and later even "Tatort" personnel were transferred to the "Polizeiruf" territory! We unleash our inner detectives, take a closer look at the two cornerstones of German crime history, and wonder how it comes that they still secure a place in the hearts of their viewers today.

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Simon Oslender - keys | Bruno Müller - guitar | Will Lee - bass | Steve Gadd - drums

In December 2024, Simon Oslender will present his new album "All That Matters" live on tour. With STEVE GADD on drums and WILL LEE on bass, two of the most legendary and influential musicians of the American jazz and pop scene accompany the young German keyboardist. The native of Aachen, Oslender, who gained international attention through his collaborations with Wolfgang Haffner and Bill Evans, has fulfilled a lifelong dream with this unique album and tour lineup, which also features Bruno Müller on guitar. The focus of the new album and the live concerts is the GROOVE in its purest form. And there are no better companions than Steve Gadd (who has played with Eric Clapton, Paul Simon, James Taylor, Chick Corea, among others) and Will Lee (who has played with the David Letterman Show, George Benson, Brecker Brothers, James Brown), THE legendary American rhythm section.

18:00

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The world is upside down, one crisis chases the next. In search of the right solution, humans hold one conference after another. But nothing really comes of all this talking, find Giraffe, Elephant, and Lion. So they decide to convene a Conference of the Animals. One representative from each species is to be present, and the conference will only take place once! Animals from all directions and continents gather: They swim, run, crawl, and fly to the Tower of the Animals. The motto is: "It's about the children." A livable world is to be preserved for them. Can this succeed when so many different habits have developed in water and air, in the desert, jungle, or ice? Erich Kästner develops in his 1949 published novel with great warmth and humor the utopia that all living beings live together peacefully.

The world is upside down, one crisis chases the next. In search of the right solution, humans hold one conference after another. But nothing really comes of all this talking, find Giraffe, Elephant, and Lion. So they decide to convene a Conference of the Animals. One representative from each species is to be present, and the conference will only take place once! Animals from all directions and continents gather: They swim, run, crawl, and fly to the Tower of the Animals. The motto is: "It's about the children." A livable world is to be preserved for them. Can this succeed when so many different habits have developed in water and air, in the desert, jungle, or ice? Erich Kästner develops in his 1949 published novel with great warmth and humor the utopia that all living beings live together peacefully.

Unforgettable Shows invites you to the table:
"The Rock Christmas Dinnershow" brings together the legendary Christmas songs and culinary delights for only a few selected event days, creating a composition of intoxicating auditory pleasures and the finest dining delights that you should not miss. Listen and experience a show program with absolute classics like "Last Christmas," "Feliz Navidad," "White Christmas," "Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer," "Frosty The Snowman," and many more...
In addition to the musical delicacies, guests can also look forward to a true gourmet experience: an exquisite menu or buffet that leaves no culinary desires unfulfilled. With "The Rock Christmas Dinner Show," this extraordinary event becomes a celebration for all senses. Let yourself be pampered by a fantastic live program and the culinary skills of our handpicked restaurants, and travel back to a beautiful Christmas time with Bing Crosby and Doris Day! Feliz Navidad!
Doors open: 5:00 PM

This year, for the first time, you can try ice stock shooting at the Herford Christmas market. A 10-meter-long plastic lane will be set up in the town hall square, which you can book every hour from December 1st to December 23rd.

The lane can be used from Sunday to Wednesday between 3 PM and 9 PM, and from Thursday to Saturday between 3 PM and 10 PM. The costs are 50 euros per hour for bookings between 3 PM and 6 PM and 70 euros per hour for bookings from 6 PM. If you wish, you can also book several hours in a row to extend the experience.

The recommendation is a maximum of 8 people per booking, so everyone has enough space to enjoy the winter fun.

Next to the ice stock lane, there is a cozy area with a small wooden hut and seating and standing options available.

In addition to classic ice stock shooting, you can also compete in "Lattl shooting," known from "Schlag den Raab." Whether sporty or sociable – the ice stock lane ensures winter fun at the Herford Christmas market!

The Sparkasse Herford wishes you lots of fun!

Entry: 15 minutes before the start of the time slot.

Works by Schumann, Bach, Widmann, Mendelssohn, and Hensel

Xenia Janković, Cello
Silke Avenhaus, Piano

This year, for the first time, you can try ice stock shooting at the Herford Christmas market. A 10-meter-long plastic lane will be set up in the town hall square, which you can book every hour from December 1st to December 23rd.

The lane can be used from Sunday to Wednesday between 3 PM and 9 PM, and from Thursday to Saturday between 3 PM and 10 PM. The costs are 50 euros per hour for bookings between 3 PM and 6 PM and 70 euros per hour for bookings from 6 PM. If you wish, you can also book several hours in a row to extend the experience.

The recommendation is a maximum of 8 people per booking, so everyone has enough space to enjoy the winter fun.

Next to the ice stock lane, there is a cozy area with a small wooden hut and seating and standing options available.

In addition to classic ice stock shooting, you can also compete in "Lattl shooting," known from "Schlag den Raab." Whether sporty or sociable – the ice stock lane ensures winter fun at the Herford Christmas market!

The Sparkasse Herford wishes you lots of fun!

Entry: 15 minutes before the start of the time slot.

The world is upside down, one crisis chases the next. In search of the right solution, humans hold one conference after another. But nothing really comes of all this talking, find Giraffe, Elephant, and Lion. So they decide to convene a Conference of the Animals. One representative from each species is to be present, and the conference will only take place once! Animals from all directions and continents gather: They swim, run, crawl, and fly to the Tower of the Animals. The motto is: "It's about the children." A livable world is to be preserved for them. Can this succeed when so many different habits have developed in water and air, in the desert, jungle, or ice? Erich Kästner develops in his 1949 published novel with great warmth and humor the utopia that all living beings live together peacefully.

The world is upside down, one crisis chases the next. In search of the right solution, humans hold one conference after another. But nothing really comes of all this talking, find Giraffe, Elephant, and Lion. So they decide to convene a Conference of the Animals. One representative from each species is to be present, and the conference will only take place once! Animals from all directions and continents gather: They swim, run, crawl, and fly to the Tower of the Animals. The motto is: "It's about the children." A livable world is to be preserved for them. Can this succeed when so many different habits have developed in water and air, in the desert, jungle, or ice? Erich Kästner develops in his 1949 published novel with great warmth and humor the utopia that all living beings live together peacefully.

This year, for the first time, you can try ice stock shooting at the Herford Christmas market. A 10-meter-long plastic lane will be set up in the town hall square, which you can book every hour from December 1st to December 23rd.

The lane can be used from Sunday to Wednesday between 3 PM and 9 PM, and from Thursday to Saturday between 3 PM and 10 PM. The costs are 50 euros per hour for bookings between 3 PM and 6 PM and 70 euros per hour for bookings from 6 PM. If you wish, you can also book several hours in a row to extend the experience.

The recommendation is a maximum of 8 people per booking, so everyone has enough space to enjoy the winter fun.

Next to the ice stock lane, there is a cozy area with a small wooden hut and seating and standing options available.

In addition to classic ice stock shooting, you can also compete in "Lattl shooting," known from "Schlag den Raab." Whether sporty or sociable – the ice stock lane ensures winter fun at the Herford Christmas market!

The Sparkasse Herford wishes you lots of fun!

Entry: 15 minutes before the start of the time slot.

The world is upside down, one crisis chases the next. In search of the right solution, humans hold one conference after another. But nothing really comes of all this talking, find Giraffe, Elephant, and Lion. So they decide to convene a Conference of the Animals. One representative from each species is to be present, and the conference will only take place once! Animals from all directions and continents gather: They swim, run, crawl, and fly to the Tower of the Animals. The motto is: "It's about the children." A livable world is to be preserved for them. Can this succeed when so many different habits have developed in water and air, in the desert, jungle, or ice? Erich Kästner develops in his 1949 published novel with great warmth and humor the utopia that all living beings live together peacefully.

The world is upside down, one crisis chases the next. In search of the right solution, humans hold one conference after another. But nothing really comes of all this talking, find Giraffe, Elephant, and Lion. So they decide to convene a Conference of the Animals. One representative from each species is to be present, and the conference will only take place once! Animals from all directions and continents gather: They swim, run, crawl, and fly to the Tower of the Animals. The motto is: "It's about the children." A livable world is to be preserved for them. Can this succeed when so many different habits have developed in water and air, in the desert, jungle, or ice? Erich Kästner develops in his 1949 published novel with great warmth and humor the utopia that all living beings live together peacefully.

Admission: 5:30 PM

Great performance
presents

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
The Magic Flute
for young & old

in the original German language
with narrator

The Magic Flute is the most famous, popular, and most performed German opera. The magical plot and wonderful, catchy melodies enchant both young and old. It is fair to say: The Magic Flute is the most beloved opera for children.

The opera offers children a variety of stimuli for the imagination: There is the witty, unforgettable Papageno, the wonderful love story between Prince Tamino and his beloved Pamina, the magnificent, wise world of Sarastro's Sun Temple, and the evil, dangerous Queen of the Night with her incredible coloratura drama. Also included are enchanted musical instruments, threatening snakes, and dancing animals, in a world where good triumphs over evil.

Now, a very special, beautiful version of this opera classic is coming to the stage for children aged 4 and older. The shimmering voices of the PRAGER KAMMEROPER enchant the audience with the most famous arias and ensembles of this masterpiece. The magical story is narrated by the engaging actress Melinda Thompson. In the role of "High Priestess Isira," she presents the plot in a slightly shortened, clear, understandable manner, with humor and charm.

The "Magic Flute for young & old" with soloists from the PRAGER KAMMEROPER is not only an excellent introduction to the world of opera, but also fresh and humorous entertainment created for both big and small children, yet by no means childish!

Duration 2x38min + 20min break

Doors open at 16:00

The Nutcracker

...in a child-friendly, entertaining
production with a narrator!

suitable for children from 4 years onwards

Tchaikovsky's ballet world - it is a world of magic, wonderland, and fairy tales. The score for Tchaikovsky's beloved Nutcracker is one of the most ingenious and brilliant ever composed for a ballet, extremely elegant. Famous numbers like the Flower Waltz, the Snowflakes Waltz, the motifs of the Divertissement enchant children and transport adults back to their childhood.

The story of the Nutcracker is as Christmassy as the scent of roasted apples and the eternal sparkling tinsel: The story of children to whom a gifted nutcracker shows distant lands and peoples in a dream on Christmas Eve, delights young and old as a Christmas ballet time and time again.

Here comes now a very special, beautiful version of this ballet classic for all children aged 4 to 94 onto the stage, created for children, yet by no means childish! The loving performance is danced with great elegance by a high-caliber ballet ensemble with excellent international soloists. Colorful costumes and imaginative stage design promise to enchant every child's heart.

Special mention deserves the narrator who guides through the entire performance. Catchy little poems full of wit, charm, and love captivate young and old.

The performance transports its young and adult visitors into the wonderland of playfulness and romance, fairy-tale and dreamlike, which should be part of every child's dream!

Doors open: 4:00 PM

California at the time of the great Gold Rush. Minnie is the only woman in the male world of a gold digger camp. She runs the bar, and all the men are enamored with her. In particular, Sheriff Jack Rance is aggressively courting Minnie's favor. But Minnie hard-heartedly turns him down. She still believes in the one great love. Then a stranger enters the camp, who claims to be "Johnson from Sacramento." He and Minnie know each other from before, and there is an undeniable spark between them. Jack Rance becomes furious with jealousy, and when it becomes clear that "Johnson" is actually the outlaw Ramerrez, who has a bounty on his head, it quickly turns into a matter of life and death. But in the end, love triumphs – just like in Hollywood.
With "La Fanciulla del West," Puccini created a thrilling combination of highly emotional love drama and gripping Western; for him personally, "the best opera I have ever written."