Theaterfestival Boulevard, which takes place from Thursday 7 to Sunday 17 August, has announced its programming. The 41st edition, for which ticket sales have started, includes about 125 different theatre and dance performances, concerts and workshops by artists from The Netherlands and abroad. Boulevard takes place at fourteen locations in and around Den Bosch, including seven unexpected sites. De Parade remains the heart of the festival.  

A shared sense of wonder

The theme of Boulevard is ‘A shared sense of wonder’. Wonder as a radical choice to keep your mind open. To remain receptive – in meetings, in looking at the world, even when it is difficult. We believe theatre is the perfect place to practise that openness. With stories, and the courage to be moved by them.

Fully digital Boulevard Magazine  

For the first time, we are not publishing a printed festival magazine. From now on, the magazine will be online only. There are two main reasons: a printed edition no longer fits within our sustainability goals – printing requires a lot of paper, ink and transport – and financial considerations also play a role. We’d rather reduce costs than produce magazines. The good news: the digital magazine still offers plenty of interviews, features, background articles and reviews.

New home for street culture  

Last year, Tent Paars on the Parade – the spot for street culture and hip hop – was buzzing with energy. But there was a downside: its traditional stage sometimes hindered interaction with the audience. That is a thing of the past. Scenographer and spatial designer Eddy van der Laan has created a brand-new stage especially for Boulevard. The result? A striking multi-level pavilion with a panoramic deck. Eddy van der Laan: “The idea of an urban pop-up theatre for over a hundred people feels bold and very un-Dutch. It has international flair – to design and build a stage specifically for street art and culture, and to celebrate diversity.” The Tent Paars programme was developed in collaboration with Cypher HQ and Arjuna Vermeulen from ‘s-Hertogenbosch.

IK MAAK MEE, a new meeting place  

Are you between two and ten years old? Then IK MAAK MEE is the place to be at Boulevard this summer. This new area offers an open stage, playhouses made from local wood (Stadshout), children’s workshops by festival artists, a Sprokkelroute treasure trail and a covered sandpit. Located on the eastern side of de Parade, it is also the starting point for many family-friendly performances.

These new developments would not have been possible without the support of our partners, funds and Boulevard Friends. Tent Paars and IK MAAK MEE were realised with support from Brabant C x ASML.

Familiar  

The 41st edition features an extensive free programme, including daily live music at 11.00 p.m., performed by a range of bands. As always, Boulevard offers facilities for people with a visual, hearing, cognitive, intellectual or physical impairment. You will also find a wide range of restaurants, food trucks, terraces and dedicated bars across the festival site. The campaign artwork was created by Den Bosch-based artist Rogier Roeters.

Theaterfestival Boulevard 2025 is made possible with support from the following partners and sponsors: Municipality of ’s-Hertogenbosch, Province of Noord-Brabant, Performing Arts Fund, VSBfonds, Fonds 21, het Cultuurfonds, ASML x Brabant C, Vriendenloterij fonds, Dioraphte, Vlaanderen verbeelding werkt, Jeugdfonds Sport en Cultuur, Jan van Hoof Foundation.