De Betovering began in 1999 as an ambitious idea: an art festival where children are not just spectators, but truly experience art. What started as a small-scale initiative in The Hague grew into an international festival with hundreds of performances and workshops at many locations throughout the city. Every year during the autumn holidays, De Betovering brings magic to children aged 0 to 12, with over 400 performances and activities in theaters, museums, libraries, and on the streets.

Everyone Welcome

The festival originated from the desire to allow as many children as possible—regardless of their background, language, or financial situation—to enjoy art and culture. The emphasis is on performing arts, featuring theatre, dance, circus theatre, and music from both the Netherlands and abroad. In addition to experiencing art, De Betovering encourages children to get actively involved through workshops that stimulate depth and reflection.

We remain committed to broad and inclusive participation in arts and culture. This means investing in accessibility and culturally diverse programming. We also continuously seek ways to reach children with low cultural participation, for example through neighborhood programs that prioritize low-threshold access. The common thread in our program is: Everyone Welcome.

What once started with a handful of partners has now grown into a collaboration at some 65 locations: theaters, museums, community centers, galleries, libraries, but also courtyards, squares, and other outdoor spaces. De Betovering has more than 20,000 visitors, and many more enjoy the street theater.

Together with our partners in the city, we continue to build a festival every year that gives art a permanent place in the lives of children – now and in the future.

Curious about previous editions? Take a look at our archive and discover the festival programs from the past!