International Women’s Day (IWD) is on 8 March and this year’s theme is accelerate action.

We take a look at the events planned in Luxembourg for this important day, including keynote talks, panel discussions and a host of cultural activities including film, music, theatre and comedy.

Many events are free but you must register or reserve a space whilst some require you to book and pay for tickets.

#AccelerateAction

According to the World Economic Forum, at the current rate of progress it will take until 2158, which is roughly five generations from now, to reach full gender parity.

The International Women’s Day website states that “focusing on the need to Accelerate Action emphasises the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality.”

It calls for increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases women face, both in personal and professional spheres. It asks globally that we acknowledge strategies, resources and activities that positively impact women’s advancement.

How can we Accelerate Action?

“We can call out stereotypes, challenge discrimination, question bias, celebrate women’s success” says the IWD website, highlighting these points to support women and girls:

Forging women’s economic empowerment

Recruiting, retaining and developing diverse talent

Supporting them into leadership, decision-making, business and STEM

Designing and building infrastructure that meets the needs of women and girls

Helping them make informed decisions about their health

Involving them in sustainable agriculture and food security

Providing women and girls with access to quality education and training

Elevating their participation and achievement in sport and promoting their creative and artistic talent

Post a selfie and street signs

IWD encourages you to take a picture – a selfie or group photo – striking a pose to show solidarity (see headline picture). You can send your image and a statement here.

Local authorities in Luxembourg’s capital but also other municipalities will change the street and square names during the month of March to reflect local women acolytes.

Events for International Women’s Day

The events listed are given in date and time order.

If we’ve missed an event you are organising or attending, let us know and we will add it.

1 March, 20.30
Anna Beros – High Hoe, stand-up comedy at Carlitos Comedy Club (in English)

Purge the pains of the modern woman and celebrate freedom with this warming, incisive standup with plenty of crowd interaction. From sluthood to motherhood, people pleasing to egg freezing, and juggling reward systems in pursuit of fulfilment. Kiwi-born, but Berlin-based, Anna performs for 75 minutes, gauging the audience as she veers into darker material. She has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe and the Melbourne Comedy Festival as well as touring Europe.

3 March, 12.00-13.45
Women in Business IWD celebration, Grand-Ducal golf club

Join the non-profit organisation Women in Business, which brings together businesswomen in all sectors and stages of their careers. This lunch to celebrate IWD will also be attended by Yuriko Backes, Minister for Gender Equality and Diversity.

4 March, 15.00-18.00
PWC, Baker McKenzie and AmCham #AccelerateActions discussion at PWC Crystal Park

For the eighth year, these three organisations come together this time to reflect on how far we want to push the gender needle in today’s society.

Yuriko Backes, Minister for Gender Equality and Diversity will be attending several events for IWD © Photo credit: Anouk Antony

The focus will be pay transparency, with a keynote speech from Sabrina Bodson from law firm Baker McKenzie, followed by an interactive debate to cover key questions such as the implications of the pay transparency directive for Luxembourg, what accelerating looks like in different sectors, the barriers to equal pay in leadership roles, and how to onboard future generations.

The panel comprises Aline Muller, CEO of Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER), Daniela Klasen, Country Head for RBS International Luxembourg, and Sebastien Garcin, CEO of YZR, and author of Heracles, a newsletter for men who want to act on gender equality. It will be moderated by PwC’s Mary Carey and the closing insights will be provided by Yuriko Backes.

4 and 18 March (ongoing)
Lëtz Run for Equality, Place Léon XIII

Run 5-6km every other week with SineQuaNon, designed to enable women to reclaim public spaces and practice their sport freely, whenever and wherever they want.

5 March, 20.00
Lola Blau, Artikuss, Soleuvre

In 1938, Lola Blau is packing her suitcase ignorant of politics and passionate about theatre. Marked with a yellow star, this Berlin cabaret performer of the 1920s heads to America and this musical play tells the story of her life, crossing borders and straddling musical genres. Theatre within the theatre, this performance shows the artist on the road and cabaret as a place of resistance.

7 March, 16.30-1830
LUX WMN – Intergenerational conversations for change, Spuerkees, Luxembourg City

Join minister Yuriko Backes at this after-work networking event, which explores the power of intergenerational dialogue in shaping a more equitable future for all women and girls, in line with the United Nations’ 2025 theme – For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment. The event will bring together leaders, changemakers and voices from different generations on a panel to discuss the challenges, progress and actions needed to create lasting impact. Register here.

7 March, 18.30
One fine evening with Eileen Byrne, Neimënster Cultural Centre (in Luxembourgish)

Eileen was born in 1984 in Luxembourg, the daughter of a German mother and a French-Scottish father. From a young age she began writing and directing and has produced several short documentaries for Arte. Her first feature film Marianengraben was released in 2024, and she campaigns for more courage and risk-taking in the German film industry. This curated event focusses on the motivation behind an artist’s work, and will be hosted by Luc Spada.

8 and 9 March, from 10.00 (workshop from 13.30)
International Women’s Day at Luxembourg City Museum

Bring your smartphone and headphones to join a 25 minute audio tour (available in English) on “History is Herstory – Search for the woman in The Luxembourg Story.” The tour covers the history of women in 10 episodes following the chronology of the exhibition, from the Middle Ages to the 21st century and allows visitors to go in search of the women present (or hidden) in the different historical contexts.

There will also be a workshop at 13.30-16.30 with Jessica Frascht, entitled Print your Nana. Drawing on inspiration from Niki de Saint Phalle’s Nanas, which represent a feminist view of the world, and a woman’s body as a work of art. In French ‘Nana’ also means ‘sassy young woman’ but today it stands for a modern, self-confident, erotic woman. De Saint Phalle’s statement “All power to the Nanas”, coined in the 1960s, is considered a precursor to the women’s movement. In an open workshop you can assemble prefabricated linoleum plates with different colours and print them on paper to create your own Nana.

8 March, 11.00-12.00
Women of the Villa tour (French), Villa Vauban

When touring the permanent collection at the Villa Vauban you will see there are more paintings of women than works by female artists. Observing the artworks reveals women of all social classes and ages, and this tour will uncover the representation of women’s roles and identities in the collection. You must reserve a spot by emailing visites@2musees@vdl.lu

8 March, 17.00-19.00
Women’s March (starts Place de Paris)

The JIF platform which consists of about 20 organisations, political parties and unions, once again will organise a women’s march in association with CID Fraen an Gender, ASTI, and the CNFL (Conseil National des Femmes du Luxembourg).

Women’s March in Luxembourg was created in 2011 and is organised by JIF © Photo credit: Gerry Huberty

8 March, 18.00
Queen of the Air, Theatre des Capucins

A live show on aviator Ameilia Earhart, the first woman to fly across the Atlantic, whose life was tragically cut short in 1937 when her plane disappeared during a transatlantic flight. Amelia symbolises the desire to reach unattainable heights, leaving an indelible mark on the collective memory. The performance is in English.

8 March, 19.30
Niki (screening) Ciné Scala, Diekirch

Organised by the communes of Diekirch and Ettelbruck for IWD, this film screening will be followed by drinks. Niki is a French film released in 2024 and is the first feature film directed by Céline Sallette. It retraces the life and work of the militant feminist artist Niki de Saint Phalle (1930-2002), starting in 1952 when Niki moved to France from America with her husband and daughter, and how she used art as a weapon to free herself from the memories of her childhood.

8 March, 19.30-22.30
Sip and Paint at ChouChou, Hollerich

Sip wine and paint in a special night for IWD hosted at ChouChou, in beginner-friendly sessions aided by a professional painter, and doubtlessly by unlimited wine.

8 March, 20.00
Brave New World! An Exploration of Resilience, Theatre le 10, Neudorf

Directed by Raffaella D’Angelo in honour of IWD, Brave New World! An Exploration of Resilience is a theatrical journey into the human capacity to endure and overcome adversity. Blending drama, movement, and dialogue, the performance explores the themes of trauma, survival, and emotional strength, through historical and contemporary narratives including modern struggles with identity and mental health. The show weaves personal and collective stories into a compelling reflection on the power of the human spirit.

9 March, 10.00
Creators’ Market – Women’s Day edition, Hollerich

Head to ChouChou on Rue de Bouillon for this special Creators’ Market featuring 40 local designers and creators in a cosy atmosphere, with music, cocktails and a food corner.

10 March, 18.00
British Chamber of Commerce for Luxembourg, ATOZ offices, Senningerberg

The British Chamber of Commerce for Luxembourg will host a special conversation featuring Christine Majerus, Luxembourg’s most decorated cyclist. Her career, spanning 17 years, includes competing in four Olympic Games, and winning multiple national and international titles. She has paved the way for women in professional cycling with resilience, dedication and leadership, both on and off her bike.

During the evening, Christine will share insights into her journey and the challenges faced by women in professional sports, highlighting the importance of perserverence and equality. It will be followed by drinks and the chance to network. You can register for a place here.

15 March, 23.50-06.00
Queens Night, Ground, Luxembourg City

To celebrate IWD and the power of women in music, bar and nightclub Ground in Hollerich is handing over the floor and music to women DJs including Insolate, a dynamic and boundary-pushing DJ and producer from Croatia. Expect electrifying music and a vibrant atmosphere, with sounds provided also by DJ Mute from Strasbourg, Miss Oana and Miss Nat-h-lee.

22 March, 19.00-21.00
InVISIBLE Women concert, MUDAM

The University of Luxembourg has organised a musical soiree with concerts to celebrate International Women’s Day.

Until 30 March, 10.00-18.00
Portraits of Women, Neimënster Cultural Centre

An exhibition featuring portraits of women working in heritage protection in conflict, post-conflict or crisis regions. These women work on the ground, often in complicated situations, to safeguard monuments, sites, museums, places of worship or collections threatened by war, climate change or natural disasters. The exhibition celebrates these talented and courageous women who are guardians of our memory.