Festival De Betovering - The Enchantment

Festival De Betovering is the international arts festival for youth with dazzling performances and workshops at more than 55 locations in and outside The Hague.

Edition 2026
During the autumn vacation from October 17 to October 25, 2026, The Hague will once again be under the spell of Festival De Betovering, international art festival for youth. For nine days, children up to 12 years old can immerse themselves in theater and dance performances, films, music, workshops and street theater.

Programme 2026

The programme for Festival de Betovering was announced on 3 July 2026, and ticket sales have officially started. This year's festival features a mix of international performances from countries including Italy, Belgium and France, alongside productions by Dutch theatre makers. Highlights include the spectacular circus show Double You (7+), the children's opera Hans en Grietje op de Vlucht (Hansel and Gretel on the Run) (8+) and the family performance Lady en de vage hond (Lady and the Stray Dog) (4+). In addition, visitors can take part in a wide range of creative workshops across the city, with several new venues joining the festival programme this year.

The best autumn vacation in the Netherlands
De Betovering is a cultural festival where children are challenged, laugh, are moved and surprised, are on the edge of their seats, surpass themselves and get inspired, and their imagination runs at full capacity! Check out the program and enjoy the very best performances from home and abroad or get involved with a fun workshop yourself, in almost all theaters, museums and libraries as well as on the streets. Everyone is welcome!
Everyone is welcome during De Betovering 2026, including children for whom moving, sitting still, hearing, seeing or processing stimuli is less natural.

Accessibility and inclusion
During De Betovering, everyone is welcome, including children where moving, standing still, hearing, seeing or processing stimuli is less obvious. For deaf and hearing-impaired children, there are performances where the spoken word is not so important. There are relaxed performances and low-incentive zones in various places. Online are photo booklets of some festival locations to help children, for whom it is important to know what to expect, to prepare. Finally, many venues have aids such as wheelchair toilets, relief tiles, loops and facilities for assistance dogs

Ticket sales and reservations
Tickets for performances or workshops can be bought or reserved at the locations themselves. Check the program to see which location it is. Performances and workshops must be reserved separately. Make your reservations in time! The number of places is often limited, especially for workshops. When making your reservation, clearly indicate the day and time you want to attend. Booked and yet unable to attend? Then please call off. Then people on the waiting list can use these places.