Zeeland Nazomerfestival 2026

The Zeeland Nazomerfestival closes the Zeeland summer with nine days of location theatre, dance and music, from Friday 28 August to Saturday 5 September 2026. The 2026 theme is De zee die geeft en neemt (the sea that gives and takes), and the whole edition plays on Schouwen-Duiveland, at four locations: Strandtheater de Punt in Westenschouwen, the Watersnoodmuseum in Ouwerkerk, Hatfieldpark in Zierikzee and De Vrijbuiter at Werkhaven Bommenede.

The festival is made by Theaterproductiehuis Zeeland and has run since 1998. The organiser describes it as one of the region’s largest cultural events.

Why it matters

Location theatre is the festival’s signature: productions are built for and around specific Zeeland places rather than staged in a theatre. In 2026 that centre of gravity sits entirely on Schouwen-Duiveland, with a beach theatre, a museum, a park and a harbour site each carrying part of the programme.

Programme

The flagship 2026 production is Stories of the Shore by theatre maker Davy Pieters, played at Strandtheater de Punt in Westenschouwen across the full festival run. Three other locations carry the rest of the programme.

• Strandtheater de Punt, Westenschouwen: Stories of the Shore by Davy Pieters, 28 August to 5 September
• Watersnoodmuseum, Ouwerkerk: Paviljoen Landingsplaats from 28 August to 5 September, a lecture by Joke Hermsen on 29 August, and CODA by Cello Octet Amsterdam from 31 August to 4 September
• Hatfieldpark, Zierikzee: De Exploderende Walvismusical, made for ages 8 and up, on 1 and 2 September
• De Vrijbuiter, Werkhaven Bommenede: Water, 2 to 5 September

On 5 September the youth strand ZNF Next closes the festival week with talks, workshops and participation built around the main theme.

Practical information

Performances are ticketed through the organiser’s ticket portal; prices appear per performance with the programme on theaterproductiehuiszeeland.nl. The venues are spread across Schouwen-Duiveland rather than gathered on one festival site, so check the location of each performance when booking. The Watersnoodmuseum lists the festival in its own agenda on 28 August from 10:00 to 21:00.

Common questions

When and where is the festival?

From 28 August to 5 September 2026, at four locations on Schouwen-Duiveland: Strandtheater de Punt in Westenschouwen, the Watersnoodmuseum in Ouwerkerk, Hatfieldpark in Zierikzee and De Vrijbuiter at Werkhaven Bommenede.

What is the 2026 theme?

De zee die geeft en neemt: the sea that gives and takes.

What is the main production?

Stories of the Shore, a large-scale location production by theatre maker Davy Pieters, at Strandtheater de Punt in Westenschouwen from 28 August to 5 September.

Is there a programme for younger visitors?

Yes. ZNF Next, on 5 September 2026, offers talks, workshops and participation around the festival theme. De Exploderende Walvismusical in Hatfieldpark, Zierikzee, on 1 and 2 September is made for ages 8 and up.

How do I get tickets?

Through the organiser’s ticket portal at theaterproductiehuiszeeland.nl, where the programme lists prices per performance.