From the solid guitar rock of The Velcro at the Proeflokaal to nocturnal poetry at The Grey Space: for the fourth year in a row, The Hague city centre was filled with music on Monday evening during PrinsjesNach, transcending styles, categories, and generations. With 40 acts at 31 locations, thousands of visitors, and a vibrant atmosphere, it was confirmed that the festival has earned its place as a tradition in the run-up to Prinsjesdag.
On Monday evening, September 14, The Hague city center once again transformed into a free musical pub crawl. From the Noordeinde to the Bierkade, from the Grote Markt to the Hofkwartier, music and spoken word could be heard. From indie pop and jazz to classical, world music, and spoken word. The organizers look back with satisfaction on the annual event.
The evening began with the festive opening at Bar Bistro De Twee Heeren, in the presence of Alderman for Culture Lotte van Basten Batenburg. In keeping with what has now become tradition, she accepted the PrinsjesNach briefcase. “It is fantastic that PrinsjesNach grows every year and allows more people to enjoy The Hague’s rich and diverse music scene,” said the newly appointed alderman. “PrinsjesNach adds color to the city and shows how music can connect. We must all cherish that.”
Among the many performances, NANO, TripKip, drum & brass band The Legendairs, Roos van Herrenwegen, French Kiss, and Yaël Campbell were particularly well-received. The audience in the Oude Molstraat listened breathlessly to an opera singer from the café window, while at the end of the evening, the crowd sang along loudly with Tante Koor in the bicycle parking area on the Papestraat. PrinsjesNach 2026 was concluded in a surprising manner with the NachMis by Scott Beekhuizen, Laurin Nargy, and the Henk & Melle Band.
“Really great fun! The atmosphere on the street, the artists. It was busy everywhere!!” said one of the visitors.
Initiators Sarah de Bruijn, Michael Varekamp, and Lucy Zuiderwijk are already looking forward to the third Monday of September 2027, when PrinsjesNach will take place for the fifth time. Many thanks also go to all the artists, venues, and volunteers who made the evening possible once again.
Photos: Esmée de Vette
Online: www.prinsjesnach.com / facebook.com/PrinsjesNach / instagram.com/prinsjesnach
PrinsjesNach 2026 was made possible in part by the City of The Hague, Sena Performers, hetCultuurfonds, CultuurSchakel, Powered by PAARD/Popradar, the Central Government Real Estate Agency, BIZ Paleis Noordeinde and BIZ Hofkwartier.
