This year, Het TheaterFestival opens the performing arts season for the 36th time. After Antwerp and Ghent, the festival returns to Brussels. For eleven days, hTF brings together the most remarkable productions of the past season. From theatre to dance, circus and performance, it presents productions selected by an independent multi-voiced VakJury.

A newly composed multi-voiced VakJury – Emilie Hulsmans, Rojda Gülüzar Karakuş, Floris Baeke, Filip Tielens, and Kathleen Keymeulen – assembles the selection after a year of intensive scouting. There is also a jury made up of open-minded city residents of varying ages and cultural backgrounds, with little or no prior experience with theatre: the WijkJury. In Brussels, Ghent and Antwerp, each city comes together in its own WijkJury. Together, they attend around ten productions per year and, at the end of the theatre season, choose their favourite: De Keuze van de WijkJury.

As every year, the festival kicks off with ‘the States’: speeches that challenge the performing arts field to think and make room for new ideas. In addition, on 8 September 2026, the sector awards will be presented: a moment to celebrate the talent of the past season.

This year, the festival’s heart is at KVS in Brussels, from 2 to 12 September 2026. Come along and join us in celebrating the festive start of the new performing arts season!

Tickets available from 5 June.