GLOW and other festivals

Eindhoven is renowned for its vibrant festival scene, with GLOW standing out as one of the city’s most spectacular annual events. Held each November, GLOW transforms the city center and surrounding towns into an open-air gallery of light art. For eight nights, from 18:30 to 23:00 in Eindhoven (and until 22:00 in nearby towns), buildings, parks, and public spaces are illuminated by innovative installations created by international and local artists. The festival is free to attend and follows a roughly 5-kilometer walking route through the heart of the city, taking about three hours to complete if you stop to enjoy each display.

GLOW is designed for all ages, with interactive and kid-friendly highlights, and visitors are encouraged to pause for breaks at local cafés or join a “Walking Dinner” culinary tour along the route. The event is best experienced after sunset, when the city’s creative spirit truly shines. Public transport and bicycles are recommended for getting to and around the festival, as some city-center streets are closed to cars during event hours.

While GLOW is Eindhoven’s most famous festival, the city also hosts a variety of other cultural events throughout the year, from Dutch Design Week to music and food festivals. Together, these festivals reflect Eindhoven’s reputation as a hub of innovation, creativity, and community celebration.