From 28 October to 7 November 2026, Holland Gnawa Festival returns to The Hague for its eighth edition, bringing international musicians, new talent and cultural traditions to venues across the city.
Under the theme Music Without Borders, the festival celebrates Gnawa, a vibrant musical and cultural tradition from Morocco with roots in West Africa. The programme features concerts, theatre, comedy, workshops, family activities and cultural encounters.
This year’s festival also strengthens connections between the Schilderswijk and Transvaal neighbourhoods and some of The Hague’s best-known cultural venues, including Amare, Het Nationale Theater, Korzo, PAARD and Theater De Regentes.
Discover the World of Gnawa
Gnawa music is known for its hypnotic rhythms, singing and distinctive instruments, including the three-stringed guembri and metal percussion instruments known as qraqeb.
Rooted in centuries-old spiritual traditions, Gnawa has developed into an influential musical style that also embraces jazz, blues, rock and electronic music.
In 2019, Gnawa was added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Holland Gnawa Festival explores both the traditional and contemporary sides of this musical heritage, bringing established international artists and emerging musicians to The Hague.
Festival Highlights
The programme includes a wide range of performances and activities.
29 October – Gnaoua Electro Live @ Korzo
Trans Sahara Electro, performed with Marmoucha Orchestra, and Elements of Baraka present an evening combining traditional North African rhythms with electronic music, dub and techno.
30 October – Kalimba Quartet @ Theater De Regentes
An evening of music, a workshop and a jam session featuring Khalil Mounji and Mbemba Diabaté, exploring connections between Gnawa and West African Mandingue music.
31 October – Gnawa & Chaabi Royal Night @ Koninklijke Schouwburg
Gnawa master Maâlem Abdelkebir Merchane and Moroccan singer and violinist Abdellah Daoudi present an evening celebrating Gnawa and Chaabi, two important Moroccan musical traditions.
1 November – Gnawa Parade @ The Hague City Centre
A free public parade featuring Remork & Karkaba will travel from Theater aan het Spui via the Koninklijke Schouwburg towards PAARD, filling the city centre with music, percussion and dance.
1 November – Hassan El Fad and The Super Gnawa Girls @ Koninklijke Schouwburg
Moroccan comedian Hassan El Fad appears in a programme that also features Marmoucha Orchestra performing with The Super Gnawa Girls: Fatima Ezzahra Jebli, Ijjo Beljaoui and Halima El Gourd.
7 November – Gnawa Diffusion @ Amare
The festival concludes with Gnawa Diffusion, the Algerian band known for blending Gnawa traditions with rock, reggae, rap and blues.
Connecting Neighbourhoods and Cultures
An important part of this year’s edition is the Culturele Loper (Cultural Route) connecting the Schilderswijk and Transvaal neighbourhoods with cultural institutions across The Hague.
Through cultural tours, workshops and encounters, the initiative encourages residents to discover cultural venues while also giving local artists and communities opportunities to share their stories and traditions.
The festival extends beyond concerts, with opportunities to explore Gnawa through music-making, shared meals, workshops and activities for younger audiences.
Festival director Mustapha Barbouch emphasises that Gnawa is about more than music. It is also about heritage, stories, cultural exchange and passing traditions from one generation to the next.
Practical Information
Dates: Wednesday 28 October to Saturday 7 November 2026
Locations: Various venues across The Hague, including Amare, Korzo, PAARD, Theater De Regentes, Theater aan het Spui and the Koninklijke Schouwburg.
Admission: Ticket prices vary by performance. Some activities, including the Gnawa Parade on 1 November, are free.
Important: The official festival opening on 28 October at Juliana Plaza is by invitation only. The other ticketed performances and public activities are listed on the festival website.
Festival de Betovering returns to The Hague from 17 to 25 October 2026, bringing nine days of theatre, dance, music, film and creative workshops for children during the autumn school holidays. The international arts festival offers hundreds of activities at 65 locations across The Hague and surrounding areas.
Children to around 12 years old can enjoy performances by Dutch and international artists, take part in hands-on workshops and discover creative activities at museums, theatres, libraries and community centres. The Festival Centre at Theater aan het Spui also offers activities throughout the week.
For international families, the festival includes a Language No Problem selection, featuring performances and activities with little or no spoken Dutch. There are also free activities, and Ooievaarspas holders can receive discounts on tickets.
Highlights include imaginative theatre for younger children, dance and music performances, stop-motion filmmaking, graffiti workshops and interactive art activities. With events taking place throughout the city, families can choose activities suited to different ages and interests.
Date: 17–25 October 2026
Location: Various venues across The Hague and surrounding areas
Twenty-five masterpieces from Madrid have arrived at the Mauritshuis for a special exhibition celebrating the longstanding relationship between two internationally renowned museums.
In a unique exchange, the Mauritshuis and the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza in Madrid have temporarily exchanged 25 paintings each. While masterpieces from The Hague are on display in Spain, visitors to the Mauritshuis can discover an exceptional selection of works from the Spanish museum’s celebrated collection.
The exhibition, Thyssen-Bornemisza ❤️ Mauritshuis: Masterpieces from Madrid, features paintings by major European artists including Jan van Eyck, Albrecht Dürer, El Greco, Agnolo Bronzino, Antonello da Messina and Piero della Francesca.
A Celebration of Art and Love
The exhibition centres on the theme of love, reflecting the longstanding relationship between the two museums.
Through paintings from different periods and artistic traditions, visitors can explore the many expressions and meanings of love in European art.
Among the works on display is Michael Sweerts’ Boy with a Turban, a painting that invites comparisons with Johannes Vermeer’s famous Girl with a Pearl Earring.
To coincide with the exhibition, the Mauritshuis has released a special episode of its podcast The Secret of the Girl with a Pearl Earring. Presenter Splinter Chabot explores the possible connection between the two paintings, asking whether Vermeer may have known Sweerts’ work and drawn inspiration from it.
The exhibition offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience masterpieces from Madrid in The Hague and discover the artistic connections between the two collections.
Practical Information
Dates: 15 October 2026 – 17 January 2027
Location: Mauritshuis, Plein 29, The Hague
Tickets: Visit the Mauritshuis website for admission information and reservations.
On Saturday 17 October, the American-Netherlander, Greg Shapiro will be bringing his solo show ‘KING ME: 250 Years of Donald Trump’ to the Theatre Luden, Voorburg.
On July 4, 2026, the United States will celebrate 250 years of independence… by bringing back the king. With Donald Trump in power, it feels as though 250 years have already passed. “What a perfect moment for a new American revolution,” exclaims Dutch-American comedian Greg Shapiro. Yet Shapiro also dares to take an optimistic view of the US. He predicts that Trump’s tyrannical behavior won’t last long—provided Europe stands strong. Mark Rutte calls Trump ‘Daddy,’ but Ursula says: “Mama is angry.” If the Epstein files prove anything, it is that certain world leaders are attracted to anything but strong, mature women.
‘KING ME’ is a blend of stand-up comedy and storytelling, with a dash of Trump-inspired improvisation. ‘KING ME’ is Shapiro’s ninth solo show.
Greg Shapiro has been associated with the Boom Chicago Theater in Amsterdam since 1994. He hosted ‘Comedy Central News’ on Comedy Central Netherlands and has appeared on BNR, BNN-VARA, VPRO, and ZDF (Germany). And yes, he is known as the voice of Trump in the viral video ‘The Netherlands Second’, which has garnered over 50 million views. Greg has authored books such as How to Be Dutch: the Quiz and The American Netherlander: 25 Years of Expat Tales.
KING ME: 250 Years of Donald Trump’ Saturday 17 October – 20:30 Luden Theater, Burg. Feithplein 95, 2273 BW Voorburg
Johannes Vermeer’s world-famous Girl with a Pearl Earring is back home in The Hague following a successful visit to Japan. After attracting considerable attention and long queues in Osaka, the painting returned to its familiar place at the Mauritshuis, where visitors have been able to admire it again since Monday 5 October.
The return comes as The Hague prepares for an autumn filled with art exhibitions celebrating five of the city’s most famous artists: Vermeer, Rembrandt, Mondrian, Escher and Mesdag. With their works displayed in museums within easy reach of one another, this is an opportunity for residents and visitors to explore some of the Netherlands’ most celebrated art collections.
Five Great Artists in One City
“The fact that Girl with a Pearl Earring attracts so many visitors in Japan demonstrates the international appeal of The Hague’s art collections,” said Alderman for Culture Lotte van Basten Batenburg.
“What makes The Hague special is that visitors don’t have to come for just one masterpiece. Vermeer, Rembrandt, Mondrian, Escher and Mesdag can all be seen here within a short distance of each other, each in their own unique setting.”
At the Mauritshuis, Girl with a Pearl Earring has returned to a collection that also includes major works by Rembrandt. From 15 October, the museum will host a special exhibition in collaboration with the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza in Madrid, featuring 25 masterpieces from the Spanish museum’s collection.
New Exhibitions Across The Hague
At Museum Panorama Mesdag, Betzy Akersloot-Berg: One of a Kind opened in early October. The exhibition is the first major Dutch retrospective devoted to the Norwegian-Dutch painter, highlighting her dramatic seascapes, international career and role as a successful artist and businesswoman.
The exhibition also explores her friendship with Hendrik Willem Mesdag and Sientje Mesdag-van Houten. Visitors can discover her work alongside Mesdag’s own maritime paintings and his famous panoramic depiction of Scheveningen in 1881.
Meanwhile, Kunstmuseum Den Haag is preparing a new presentation of its internationally renowned Mondrian collection. Opening on 10 October, Mondrian & The Road to Abstraction explores the artist’s development from figurative landscapes to the abstract compositions for which he became famous.
The museum holds the world’s largest collection of works by Piet Mondrian, including his celebrated Victory Boogie Woogie. To mark the opening, Kunstmuseum Den Haag is offering free admission on Saturday 10 October, with additional free activities taking place throughout the weekend.
Last Chance to Discover Escher and Islamic Art
At Escher in Het Paleis, visitors have until 1 November to see Escher & Islamic Art: 20 Perspectives.
The exhibition explores how Islamic architecture and the geometric patterns of the Alhambra influenced M.C. Escher’s fascination with rhythm, repetition and interconnected shapes. His work is presented alongside that of 20 contemporary artists.
For visitors interested in discovering several museums, combination tickets are available for Escher in Het Paleis together with the Mauritshuis or Museum Panorama Mesdag.
With the return of Vermeer’s most famous painting and several exhibitions opening across the city, autumn offers plenty of opportunities to discover The Hague’s rich artistic heritage.
Autumn brings a varied month of cinema to Pathé, with big new releases, thrillers and plenty of family adventures. Tom Cruise stars in Digger, while The Social Reckoning explores the story of Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen. There is also psychological suspense in Verity, arcade-inspired action in Street Fighter and more horror arriving as Halloween approaches.
Beyond the major releases, Pathé’s In the Picture selection includes a new adaptation of Sense and Sensibility, the unusual love story Wicker and Laika’s stop-motion adventure Wildwood. Horror classics return to the big screen throughout the month, while younger visitors can enjoy a new Shaun the Sheep adventure and two Sinterklaas films.
Pathé Specials
Opera: Così fan tutte – 3 October
The season of The Met: Live in HD opens with Mozart’s comedy about love, loyalty and temptation. Phelim McDermott’s production takes inspiration from Coney Island in the 1950s, placing the story in a colourful seaside fairground. Federica Lombardi and Samantha Hankey perform as sisters Fiordiligi and Dorabella, alongside Duke Kim and Andrey Zhilikhovsky as Ferrando and Guglielmo.
Ladies Night: Wen Er Maar Aan – 7 October
Dutch comedy Wen Er Maar Aan follows actress M. as menopause, family tensions and the loss of her regular television role turn her life upside down. Determined to show that her future still holds possibilities, she sets out to reinvent herself. Pathé’s Ladies Night preview includes a snack, drink and goodie bag.
Queen Budapest – 7 October
Queen’s 1986 concert at Budapest’s Népstadion returns to the big screen in IMAX. Filmed during the Magic Tour, the band’s final tour with Freddie Mercury, the concert has been newly scanned and remastered in 4K with a new audio mix. The set includes favourites such as Bohemian Rhapsody, I Want to Break Free and We Are the Champions.
New top movies at Pathé
Digger – 1 October
Tom Cruise plays the most powerful man in the world, who makes a desperate attempt to save humanity from a catastrophe he has unleashed himself. The cast also includes Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Sandra Hüller, Michael Stuhlbarg and Jesse Plemons. Available in Dolby and IMAX at participating cinemas.
Verity – 1 October
Based on Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, this psychological thriller stars Dakota Johnson as struggling writer Lowen Ashleigh. Hired to ghostwrite for celebrated author Verity Crawford, played by Anne Hathaway, Lowen moves into the family’s secluded country house. A disturbing discovery draws her into secrets involving Verity and her husband Jeremy, played by Josh Hartnett.
Forgotten Island – 1 October
DreamWorks Animation’s latest adventure centres on two best friends who must find a way to grow closer before they grow apart. From the studio behind How to Train Your Dragon, Shrek and The Wild Robot, the film is available in its original version as Forgotten Island and in Dutch as Het Vergeten Eiland.
The Social Reckoning – 8 October
This follow-up to The Social Network, written by Aaron Sorkin, draws on the events behind The Wall Street Journal’s“The Facebook Files”. Mikey Madison plays Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen, who works with journalist Jeff Horwitz, played by Jeremy Allen White, to expose secrets within the social media company.
Whalefall – 14 October
Following his father’s death, Jay Gardiner, played by Austin Abrams, dives off the Californian coast in search of his remains. When a huge whale swallows him, Jay finds himself trapped with just an hour’s oxygen remaining. Lessons from his father, played by Josh Brolin, may offer his only chance of escape. Available in 4DX at participating cinemas.
Street Fighter – 15 October
Set in 1993, Street Fighter reunites estranged fighters Ryu and Ken Masters when Chun-Li recruits them for the World Warrior Tournament. Behind the competition lies a deadly conspiracy that forces them to confront both their opponents and their past. Director Kitao Sakurai brings the arcade game to cinemas with familiar characters, signature moves and spectacular action.
Clayface – 22 October
DC Studios’ horror thriller stars Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen, whose rapid rise from the streets of Gotham to Hollywood ends after a brutal attack. An experimental treatment appears to restore his former appearance, but his hold on reality begins to slip. Directed by James Watkins, the film follows his increasingly destructive pursuit of revenge.
Other Mommy – 29 October
Young Bela forms a connection with a sinister presence in her home that looks disturbingly like her own mother. Directed by Rob Savage, this horror film comes from producer James Wan and Blumhouse Atomic Monster.
In the Picture
Pathé’s In the Picture selection highlights distinctive films that bridge mainstream cinema and the film-house programme.
Sense and Sensibility – 15 October
Jane Austen’s story returns in a new adaptation starring Daisy Edgar-Jones and Esmé Creed-Miles. Produced by the makers of Pride & Prejudice, the film brings another classic literary tale to the big screen.
Wicker – 22 October
Olivia Colman and Alexander Skarsgård star in an unusual story about love, desire and the courage to go against convention. With Skarsgård playing the Wickerman, the film promises a strange and intriguing approach to the complications of love.
Wildwood – 22 October
Laika, the studio behind Coraline, presents a new stop-motion adventure directed by Travis Knight. Its imaginative world and detailed animation make this a film to experience on the big screen, with an adventure designed to appeal to both younger and older viewers.
Classics: Halloween on the big screen
October brings a selection of horror favourites back to cinemas:
Friday the 13th – 1 October: the reopening of Camp Crystal Lake leads to a terrifying series of murders.
The Shining – 8 October: Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of Stephen King’s novel stars Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall as a family spending the winter in an isolated hotel. Also showing in IMAX.
The Craft – 22 October: a new student joins a group of school outsiders who discover the power, and dangers, of witchcraft.
A Nightmare on Elm Street – 31 October: Wes Craven’s horror classic brings Freddy Krueger and his deadly dream world back to the cinema for Halloween.
For the kids at Pathé
Het Vergeten Eiland – 1 October
The Dutch-language version of DreamWorks’ Forgotten Island follows two best friends facing changes in their friendship.
De Club van Sinterklaas Film: Paniek in het Pietendorp – 1 October
Preparations for Sinterklaas’s annual journey to the Netherlands are going smoothly until his staff disappears and bags of presents go missing. Suspecting a thief, the Pieten set out to solve the mystery.
De Grote Sinterklaasfilm en de Vliegende Pieten – 1 October
Extreme winter weather threatens to derail Pakjesavond. Unable to deliver presents across snow-covered rooftops, the Pieten begin working on an invention that could save the celebrations.
Shaun het Schaap: Het Beest op de Boerderij – 7 October
Shaun the Sheep returns for a new family adventure. The farm’s residents are looking forward to Halloween, but their plans are threatened when a clumsy farmer destroys the sheep’s pumpkin patch.
Dutch cinema
De Tatta’s: Daan – 8 October
Daan promises to find an unforgettable birthday present for his crush, Layla. With his grandfather Richard along for the ride, a seemingly simple mission becomes a chaotic journey through the Hollandwijk, full of unexpected encounters.
Pathé news
A cinema visit to bring people together
For the Week against Loneliness, Pathé and the Nationaal Ouderenfonds joined forces to encourage people to take an older person experiencing loneliness to the cinema. The initiative highlights how a shared outing can create opportunities for connection.
Looking ahead: The Hunger Games Marathon
Pathé has announced a marathon of all five Hunger Games films on 14 and 15 November at 25 cinemas. The programme brings together the four original films and the prequel about Coriolanus Snow, ahead of the announced release of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping on 19 November.
Pathé Thuis
There are also family films to enjoy at home through Pathé Thuis.
In De Film van Rutger, Thomas & Paco, Rutger and Thomas must solve a mystery when their dog Paco suddenly turns into a cat. They soon discover that other dogs are at risk too.
Paw Patrol: De Dino Film takes the pups to a tropical island inhabited by dinosaurs. When Mayor Humdinger’s plans trigger a volcanic eruption, the team faces a rescue mission of prehistoric proportions.
Pathé Thuis
There are also new releases to watch at home through Pathé Thuis during September, including Minions & Monsters, a new chapter in Illumination’s animated Despicable Me universe.
Release dates and screenings may change, so check Pathé directly for the latest programme, participating cinemas and tickets.
Pathé is the first and largest cinema brand in the Netherlands, founded in Paris in 1896 by true pioneers of film: the Pathé brothers. Their aim was to share the wonderful world of film with as many people as possible. Throughout the Netherlands, Pathé has 30 locations, 253 screens and 1,900 employees. Through its wide range of films, livestreams of opera, sports and gaming, among others, the latest techniques such as IMAX, 4DX, Dolby Cinema and ScreenX, and business events, Pathé creates special and unforgettable cinema stories for all.
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Pathé is a partner of The Hague Online, and we receive cinema tickets in exchange for sharing monthly updates and links on our website and in our enewsletter. Text is provided by Pathé in Dutch and translated into English by The Hague Online. Images are provided by Pathé. Text and images may not be copied and shared without written permission.
