Spotlight Festival

Spotlight Festival The Hague 2026: Experience the city's cultural highlight

The Spotlight Festival The Hague is the festive opening of the cultural season. During this free festival, theaters, museums, stages, and cultural hotspots throughout the city transform into inspiring meeting places where visitors can get acquainted with The Hague's diverse cultural offerings. From theater and dance to music, film, comedy, and workshops: there is something for everyone to experience.

Are you staying at Van der Valk Hotel Den Haag - Wassenaar during the festival? Then you are just a short distance away from the center of The Hague to discover all the activities, while afterwards enjoying the peace, luxury, and comfort of our hotel.

What is the Spotlight Festival?

Each year, the Spotlight Festival kicks off the new cultural season. During two days, dozens of The Hague's cultural institutions open their doors for free previews, short performances, shows, and interactive activities. This way, you get a unique preview of the upcoming season's program and discover which performances you absolutely don't want to miss.

The festival is suitable for young and old and offers an accessible way to get acquainted with the rich culture of The Hague.

What can you expect?

During the Spotlight Festival, you can among other things enjoy:

  • Free theater, dance, and music performances

  • Sneak previews of the new cultural season

  • Workshops and interactive activities

  • Comedy, film, and literature

  • Performances at special locations all over The Hague

  • Activities for families and children

  • A vibrant atmosphere in The Hague's city center and various neighborhoods

Spotlight Festival 2026

The 2026 edition takes place on Friday, September 4 and Saturday, September 5. Friday focuses on The Hague's neighborhoods with cultural activities close to home. On Saturday, theaters and stages in the city center open their doors during the cozy Culture Night, where visitors can wander at their own pace to different locations.

Stay overnight during the Spotlight Festival

Want to make the most of a cultural weekend in The Hague? Then choose an overnight stay at Van der Valk Hotel Den Haag - Wassenaar.

Our hotel offers everything for a relaxing stay:

  • Comfortable hotel rooms

  • Extensive breakfast buffet

  • Restaurant, bar, and terrace

  • Free parking with 285 parking spaces

  • Good accessibility from the city center of The Hague and Scheveningen

After a day full of cultural impressions, you can completely unwind in one of our comfortable rooms.

Combine culture with a weekend in The Hague

Besides the Spotlight Festival, The Hague is the perfect destination for a complete weekend getaway. Combine your visit with a walk along the boulevard of Scheveningen, a visit to the Mauritshuis, Noordeinde Palace, or enjoy the cozy shops and restaurants in the historic city center.

Van der Valk Hotel Den Haag - Wassenaar is the ideal base to discover both the city and the coast.