André Rieu's Johann Strauss Orchestra members performing at the Zomerfestival Heëlehei, a Summer Festival in Heerlen, Netherlands on Friday, August 15, 2025. Review by the municipality of Heerlen Translation: Diana D. Le Opening of a new music festival in Heerlerheide After this summer, there can no longer be any doubt that Corneliusplein is an events square par excellence. In June, hundreds of musicians performed here at the invitation of the Edelweiss Hunting Horn and Trumpet Corps, and last night, numerous young talents shone brightly on the first day of the Heëlehei Summer Festival. This free, three-day music event originated with the efforts of Bianca Willems, Marcel Falize, Stan Peters, Mitch Peters, Marcel Lucassen, and Sám Smits. And if these organizers have anything to say about it, a new tradition has been born. The organizers aimed to welcome a thousand visitors over the weekend, but this number was already reached on the first evening. More than a thousand Heerlen residents saw Emma Kok, Marjolein Heijltjes, Mik Falize (9), Cas Henket (13), and other young artists perform with Lift-Off Percussion & Entertainment Band (formed by Marcel Falize and his three sons, Glenn, Dean, and Colin).

To read more about Cas Henket, click HERE

To read more about the history of the Falize band “Lift-Off”, click HERE.