The Boulevard Theatre Festival is once again bringing the summer to a close in ‘s-Hertogenbosch with its 42nd edition. From Thursday 6 to Sunday 16 August, the festival will host around 120 performances (including 20 premieres), shows and workshops at twenty venues in and around the city. Creators from home and abroad, and stories that touch the heart. It is a temporary community that comes to life anew each year in the festival centre at the foot of St John’s Cathedral and far beyond. Ticket sales start on 23 June 2026.
In a Community of Wonder
‘In a spirit of wonder’ remains Boulevard’s motto this year. Wonder as a radical choice to remain open-minded. In our encounters, in the way we view the world – including the things that are difficult.
A selection from the varied programme
The festival offers a broad insight into the world of contemporary dance and theatre. For example, ten Palestinian dancers will be performing in Badke (remix) by Amir Sabra & Ata Khatab (laGeste | Stereo48), who combine the traditional folk dance dabke with hip-hop and capoeira to create an explosive mix. The English company Lost Dog also knows how to breathe new life into old material: in Ruination They rework the myth of Medea with a light touch and humour, with spoken text gradually giving way to movement, accompanied by live music that shifts effortlessly between pop and opera.
It’s not just myths and folk tales that take centre stage; personal journeys are also given a platform. In *Linde Schöne Is Mislukt*, Linde Schöne explores what it means to turn thirty without having realised your dreams. For the very youngest, there is *Ridder Robin* (6+) by Dear T., a story about love and a brave knight. And with *Comp. Marius* and *Het Scheldeoffensief*, Shakespeare’s classic is given a contemporary twist: in their adaptation of *Romeo & Juliet*, the story is told through the eyes of different generations.
An absolute highlight of the summer is the return of Schweigman&. With KLEI, they are constructing a landscape from ten tonnes of clay and five hundred litres of water – a performance that lets you feel what it’s like to be part of something greater than yourself — and just how vulnerable yet powerful a body can be when it surrenders to the earth. KLEI can be seen at the Brabanthallen, one of this year’s unique venues, alongside Fort Isabelle and Onder de Moriaan, amongst others.
Spiritual Emergency Kit
We explore the depths and also draw inspiration from other sources. The Spiritual Emergency Kit It is open to everyone and consists of post-screening discussions, a talk show and workshops.
On the Boulevard talk show, you’ll hear the stories behind the festival. Every other day, Yahmani Blackman welcomes her guests to the Torenpodium, ranging from festival-goers to creators and organisers. The talk show features interviews with creators, artistic contributions and a behind-the-scenes look at the festival, amongst other things.
The sequel to Tent Paars and IK MAAK MEE
Following a successful debut in ‘24 and ‘25, both Tent Paars and IK MAAK MEE are set to return. Tent Paars, the vibrant pavilion for street culture and hip-hop on the Parade, builds on the specially designed stage by set designer Eddy van der Laan. The programme will once again be put together in collaboration with Cypher HQ and Arjuna Vermeulen from Den Bosch.
IK MAAK MEE, the meeting place for children aged two to ten on the Parade, is expanding with Huisje73, new workshops, a foraging trail and even more activities to enjoy. Families can also hop aboard a little train run by Theater Artemis for Arty Farty in the Playground (AL), and b-boy Remses Rafaela uses his body to express fear and growth in ANOCHI (4+).
Heading into the neighbourhood on Line 73
The Lijn 73 programme brings together artists, performances and audiences at the Kruiskamp. Unique artistic projects such as The Salon: Between Care and Sighs by Stormkamer, a theatrical urban dialogue on a question that is becoming increasingly pressing. How do we look after one another in a society where we seem to be pitted against one another more and more often? And Corpo Máquina Society’s Dancing with the Trees, where the children of Den Bosch are as deeply rooted as trees.
Free programme and accessibility
As in previous years, this 42nd edition features an extensive programme of free events, including a daily musical finale with a band at 11.00 pm. Boulevard has facilities for people with visual, hearing, cognitive, intellectual and/or physical disabilities.
Finally, Boulevard offers a wide variety of restaurants, food trucks, outdoor dining areas and themed bars.
Campaign image
This year, the festival is once again collaborating with Rogier Roeters, an artist from Den Bosch. Roeters has created a sculpture that symbolises diversity of voices and connection. It celebrates the diversity of the festival, its creators, stories, perspectives, audiences and emotions that Boulevard brings together.
Practical information
Date: Thursday 6 to Sunday 16 August 2026
Location: ’s-Hertogenbosch (20 venues, including the festival centre on the Parade)
Ticket sales: From Monday 23 June 2026 via festivalboulevard.nl/programma
Programme: Around 120 theatre and dance performances, concerts and workshops
The Boulevard Theatre Festival is made possible in part by: the Municipality of ’s-Hertogenbosch, the Province of North Brabant, the Performing Arts Fund, the VSB Fund, Fonds 21, the Culture Fund, the Friends Lottery Fund, Dioraphte, ‘Vlaanderen verbeelding werkt’, the Youth Fund for Sport and Culture, the Jan van Hoof Gallery, Zin in Den Bosch and the Friends and Close Friends of Boulevard.
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