ImproNation proudly announces the launch of its first major improv festival in The Hague. Taking place between 28 and 30 August in the Lyceum Zandvliet, the Constellations festival is expected to unite hundreds of English-speaking improvisers from across the Netherlands to perform sellout shows.
“Constellations is about bringing people together through the joy of play,” says David Kűhling Kühling, Festival Co-Director. “Improvisation is built on connection, creativity and celebrating everyone’s uniqueness. The Hague is the perfect city to host a festival that celebrates those values.”
For anyone wondering why improvisation is becoming so popular around the world, this is the chance to find out. From unique performances, hands-on workshops and community events, the three days offer unforgettable experiences to seasoned improvisers and newcomers alike.
With performers representing a constellation of cultures, styles, and voices, audiences can expect everything from fast‑paced comedy to emotionally rich, narrative-driven theatre. This is an event where everyone can shine.
Event details
Location: Christian Lyceum Zandvliet, Bezuidenhoutseweg 40, 2594 AW, Den Haag
Historic buildings, churches, government institutions and other architectural landmarks across The Hague will open their doors during Open Monumentendag (Open Monument Day) on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September 2026.
The annual heritage weekend gives visitors the opportunity to look inside buildings that are normally closed or only partly accessible to the public. Entry to participating monuments is generally free, although some tours and locations require advance reservations.
The Hague has around 2,250 protected monuments and 20 protected cityscapes, making it one of the Netherlands’ leading heritage cities. Some of these buildings in the city centre, Scheveningen and Kijkduin will take part, with guided tours, exhibitions and other activities planned throughout the weekend.
Resilient heritage
Open Monumentendag celebrates its 40th edition in 2026. This year’s theme is Veerkrachtig erfgoed, or Resilient Heritage, focusing on how historic buildings, landscapes and traditions survive and adapt during times of uncertainty.
Across the Netherlands, thousands of monuments will open free of charge during the second weekend of September. The event forms part of the European Heritage Days programme, which is celebrated in countries throughout Europe.
Inside The Hague City Hall
The council chamber at The Hague City Hall will open to visitors on Saturday 12 September. Visitors can see where the city council debates and makes decisions and learn more about how local democracy works.
The white City Hall building, designed by American architect Richard Meier, opened in 1995 and is known locally as the Ice Palace.
Historic royal and government buildings are also traditionally among the most popular locations during Open Monumentendag. These have previously included Paleis Kneuterdijk, now used by the Council of State, and the offices of the King’s Cabinet.
Historic trams
The Haags Openbaar Vervoer Museum will mark the weekend with rides on historic trams through the city.
The vehicles are expected to include the Blauwe Tram dating from 1911, giving passengers the opportunity to experience a form of public transport that travelled through The Hague more than a century ago.
Details of routes, departure times and tickets will be published by the museum.
Binnenhof fully booked
Visitors were also offered a rare opportunity to enter the Binnenhof while the parliamentary complex is undergoing its extensive renovation.
All available tickets for the Open Monumentendag visits have already been reserved. Additional places may become available following cancellations, and interested visitors are advised to check the Binnenhof Open Monumentendag website.
Many other participating buildings can be visited without reservations. However, capacity may be limited and queues are possible at particularly popular locations.
The full programme, opening hours, accessibility information and reservation requirements will be published online ahead of the weekend.
Open Monumentendag takes place in The Hague and across the Netherlands on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September 2026.
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Scheveningen will welcome a new two-day late-summer festival on Friday 11 and Saturday 12 September 2026. During Aftersea, cultural venues, museums and seaside locations will host live music, film, art and special evening programmes.
One of the festival’s most notable features is the return of musical performances to the historic Kurzaal at the Grand Hotel Amrâth Kurhaus. Events will also take place at Nationaal Monument Oranjehotel, Museum Beelden aan Zee, REBORN Whitehouse, Podium aan Zee, Strandhuis Hito and The Fat.
“With Aftersea, we are opening the cultural season in Scheveningen,” says organiser Charlotte Los of Stichting Buitengewoon Scheveningen. “The festival brings established and new cultural institutions, venues and beach locations together in one programme. In this way, we show that Scheveningen continues to buzz after the summer.”
Music returns to the Kurzaal
Aftersea reconnects the Kurhaus with its long musical and cultural history. The venue famously hosted The Rolling Stones in 1964, although the concert descended into chaos and was brought to an early end.
“With Aftersea, we are taking an important step towards our ambition to make the historic Kurzaal a leading venue once again,” says Bob van Herpen, general manager of the Kurhaus. “We want to create a programme that does justice to the grandeur and rich history of the Kurhaus, while inspiring a new generation of visitors.”
On Friday evening, keyboardist Sven Figee and his four-piece band will present De Wilde Noordzee. The performance combines live music with underwater footage from the nature documentary and personal stories from diver Peter van Rodijnen.
The production will be performed in Scheveningen for the first time, just metres from the North Sea at the heart of its story.
On Saturday, Fever’s international Candlelight Concerts will make their Kurhaus debut. The historic hall will be illuminated by thousands of candles as classical musicians perform Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons. A second concert will feature classical interpretations of songs by Coldplay and Imagine Dragons.
Events across Scheveningen
Aftersea begins at Nationaal Monument Oranjehotel on Friday afternoon with a programme exploring freedom through words, movement and music. The event, held ahead of the annual Oranjehotel commemoration on 19 September, includes spoken word, a performance by dance company Korzo and Dutch-language indie folk and pop from Meyendel.
That evening, Jazz070 will take over Museum Beelden aan Zee. After Hours X Jazz070 will bring musicians from The Hague’s jazz scene into the museum’s galleries, surrounded by sculptures and exhibitions.
Aftersea also marks the beginning of a new series of events at REBORN Whitehouse, formerly known as EVE. The venue aims to provide a year-round stage for concerts, cultural programming and other events. Samba Roots Amsterdam will bring a traditional Brazilian roda de samba to Whitehouse on Saturday evening.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Podium aan Zee will host reggae from Heights Meditation and Mr. Lion ‘The Selector’. PAARD’s monthly Dune Sessions will move to Strandhuis Hito, where TOS from OSHI and musicians from the Royal Conservatoire will lead a public jam session.
The festival concludes with an afterparty presented by PIP at The Fat.
Aftersea takes place at various locations in Scheveningen on Friday 11 and Saturday 12 September 2026.
Join us at Make-In-Space for a very special crafting session! We invite everyone to bring a small craft or project so we can create together.
Make-In-Space is a studio in The Hague run by multi-disciplinary artists Nathaniël, Nathaly and Lillian. Built as a hub for a variety of materials, tools, knowledge and techniques related to: textile, drawing & painting, digital art & design, collage, fashion, writing, ceramics, printing techniques and woodwork.
The studio believes that nourishing creativity and imagination on a daily basis is just as important for health and overall well-being as physical exercise, healthy nutrition, and a positive mindset.
Next to using the space as a private studio to imagine, design, and make whatever inspires them, the artists create and host a variety of workshops and community events at Make-In-Space. The studio is also open for collaborations or space rentals for other events that complement its vision and mission.
Craft with us and feel free to bring your project or start one from scratch! Forgot your project or not sure what to bring? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Make-In-Space will have plenty of easy-to-dive-into materials on hand: from watercolor and collaging magazines to drawing supplies and textiles.
Experience the deep emotional layers of the string orchestra with the Amsterdam Kameracademie. From the compelling, melancholic beauty of the ‘Adagio’ by contemporary Italian composer Elisabetta Brusa to the intimate, spiritual depth of Hendrik Andriessen’s ‘Miroir de Peine’—with soprano Elles Venhuizen as soloist—this program explores light, shadow, and solace. The concert culminates in Mahler’s dramatic and monumental arrangement for string orchestra of Schubert’s famous string quartet, ‘Der Tod und das Mädchen’.
We are a string orchestra of talented young musicians from conservatories and orchestra academies in the Randstad, with a great passion for both classical and modern string repertoire.
Programme
Elisabetta Brusa: Adagio
Hendrik Andriessen: Miroir de Peine (with Elles Venhuizen, soprano)
Schubert / Mahler: Der Tod und das Mädchen
conducted by Ben le Heux
Sunday 25 October
15.00 – 16.00
Paleiskerk
Paleisstraat 8
2514 JA
The Hague
Tickets: €32 regular price, €20 for ages 20 and under.
