Hoogeveen – Stadslichtfestival Hoogeveen 2026
What to expect
Stadslichtfestival Hoogeveen 2026 transforms the city centre into a winter wonderland from Friday, 11 December, to Sunday, 13 December 2026. At this light festival, light art, projections and a Christmas market come together with music and a festive atmosphere. The organiser describes it as its first lustrum, or five-year anniversary. According to the official information, admission to the festival is free.
Stadslichtfestival Hoogeveen 2026: three days of winter atmosphere
The Stadslichtfestival spans several areas in the centre. On Hoofdstraat, you can explore the festively decorated town centre. Light installations are planned in the open parkland of Park Dwingeland; the organiser also mentions performances. Grote Kerk on Grote Kerkstraat is also one of the official festival venues, with lighting and a musical programme.
It is precisely this mix that makes the weekend varied: you can stroll through the city centre, admire light installations and visit the Christmas market. The different locations are in the city centre and can be linked on foot. As this is an event with several locations, the map marker is only a point of reference and is not the entrance to a single festival site.
Christmas market, light art and music
The organiser describes Stadslichtfestival as featuring a cosy Christmas market, lively works of art, a winter beer festival, musical performances, additional late-night shopping evenings and a Sunday when shops are open. The festival combines a pre-Christmas stroll around the city with light art and entertainment.
However, the specific dates for 2026 have not yet been published. So you won’t find any made-up concert times or an unconfirmed list of rides here. Previous editions included additional attractions, but this is not enough to reliably determine the line-up of rides for December 2026. Stadslichtfestival is primarily a light and winter festival with a Christmas market, not automatically a traditional funfair.
Stadslichtfestival Hoogeveen 2026: Opening hours and admission
The three festival days have been confirmed: Friday, 11 December, Saturday, 12 December and Sunday, 13 December 2026. The official opening-hours page lists all three days, but explicitly states that the exact times have not yet been announced. Therefore, no exact opening times are claimed here. According to the organiser, the light installations are designed especially for the evening hours.
Admission to the festival is free. Separate charges may apply for individual food and drink options or any special activities; no definitive price list has been published yet. So check the latest official information before your visit.
Getting there and parking in the centre of Hoogeveen
The organisation lists Hoofdstraat, Park Dwingeland and Grote Kerk as the main areas. If you are travelling by car, it recommends designated parking areas around the town centre. According to the organiser, you can reach the festival venues from the listed parking areas in no more than about ten minutes on foot. It may get busier, especially from 18 o’clock. So it is worth arriving early and checking the latest information.
You can find more winter events in our events calendar. If you’re looking for classic rides, it’s also worth taking a look at the attraction profiles.
Official programme updates
The organisers say they will publish the programme a few weeks before the festival. You’ll then find the latest information on the official Stadslichtfestival website. Until then, the three festival days, the city-centre locations and free admission are the confirmed details.
Highlights at a glance
What Stadslichtfestival Hoogeveen has to offer
- Special lighting / world of lights
More to experience in Hoogeveen
AdvertisingGetting there & services
Several festival locations in the centre: Hoofdstraat, Park Dwingeland and Grote Kerk (Grote Kerkstraat). The organisers recommend using car parks around the city centre; the festival areas are no more than about ten minutes’ walk from there. Expect crowds, especially from 18 o’clock. Source: https://stadslichtfestival.nl/parkeren/.
- Nearby car parks
Frequently asked questions
When is Stadslichtfestival Hoogeveen 2026?
From Friday, 11 December, to Sunday, 13 December 2026. The three days are confirmed on the organisers’ official website.
Where is Stadslichtfestival held?
In Hoogeveen city centre, particularly on Hoofdstraat, in Park Dwingeland and at Grote Kerk on Grote Kerkstraat.
How much does admission to Stadslichtfestival cost?
Admission to the festival is free, according to the official website. Individual food and drink options or special offers may incur additional costs.
What are the opening hours on 11, 12 and 13 December?
The organisers have not yet announced the exact opening hours for all three festival days. The light installations are designed for the evening hours.
Is there a Christmas market at Stadslichtfestival?
Yes. The organisers specifically mention a Christmas market in Hoogeveen city centre, as well as light art and music.
What events are planned for 2026?
Light art, projections, musical offerings and a winter market atmosphere are planned. The detailed schedule is due to be published a few weeks before the festival.
Where can I park?
The organisers recommend designated car parks around the city centre. The festival locations should be no more than about ten minutes’ walk from there.
