An evening spent admiring light art, then straight home? Not necessarily. Stay the night at Stayokay Eindhoven in Strijp-S and turn GLOW into a full city break.
When is GLOW Eindhoven 2026?
GLOW Eindhoven will take place from 7 to 14 November 2026. For eight evenings, streets, squares and buildings will be transformed into various light art installations.
In Eindhoven, you can view the works daily from 6.30 pm to 11.00 pm.
The theme for the 2026 edition is CONNECT. It centres on the connection between people, technology and their environment. This fits perfectly with a city in which technology, design and light play a major role.
Is GLOW Eindhoven free?
Yes, the standard GLOW route is free to visit. You do not need a ticket.
The artworks are scattered throughout public spaces and are linked by a walking route through the city centre.
However, a ticket may be required for some individual programme elements. In 2026, for example, this applies to the drone experience at the Philips Stadium.
How long is the GLOW route?
The walking route through Eindhoven is approximately 5 kilometres long.
Along the way, you’ll come across various large and small light art installations in squares, on buildings and at other locations around the city. By 2026, the route will take you past, amongst other places:
- 18 Septemberplein
- Victoriapark
- Emmasingel
- Stadhuisplein
- Catharinakerk
- Smalle Haven
- Markt
Of course, you don’t have to complete the route as quickly as possible. Allow plenty of time to view the artworks and to stop for a bite to eat or a drink along the way.
What’s on at GLOW 2026?
During GLOW, you won’t just see buildings lit up in different colours. Artists use light, projections, sound and technology to create entire installations.
In 2026, the focus will be on encounters and connection under the theme CONNECT. The route combines work by international and local artists with projects by talented individuals, residents, schools and organisations from the region.
A number of projects for this edition have already been announced.
MACHINA on 18 Septemberplein
MACHINA, by the artist duo Tom & Lien Dekyvere, is on display at 18 Septemberplein.
The project brings together sculpture and technology in a large-scale light art installation right in the heart of the city.
Light art on Stadhuisplein
Stadhuisplein is also part of the route. Here, the international collective Nohlab is presenting an installation no less than 13.5 metres high.
Drone show in the Philips Stadion
A special feature of GLOW 2026 can be found at the Philips Stadium.
For the first time, Eindhoven will host a drone experience in the stadium during GLOW. For The Breathing Collective by Eindhoven-based TWOFIFTYK, drones, light, music and storytelling come together above the pitch.
The show will take place four times a night on all eight days of GLOW.
Please note: unlike the regular GLOW route, you will need a ticket for this event.
GLOW outside Eindhoven
Would you like to see even more light art? In 2026, GLOW won’t be limited to Eindhoven.
Helmond, Oirschot, Best, Veldhoven and Lieshout are also taking part. There, you can visit various routes and artworks from 7 to 14 November.
Opening times outside Eindhoven may vary. In the participating municipalities, the routes are generally open from 6.30 pm to 10.00 pm.
Accommodation during GLOW Eindhoven
After an evening’s stroll through the City of Light, there’s no need to catch the train home straight away. At Stayokay Eindhoven, you’ll stay at Strijp-S, one of the city’s most famous spots.
And the location is a perfect fit for a GLOW weekend: the hostel is housed in a former Philips factory in the Klokgebouw. The industrial history to which Eindhoven partly owes its reputation as the ‘City of Light’ is still very much present all around you here.
From Strijp-S, you can reach the city centre in about 10 minutes by bus or bike. Eindhoven Strijp-S station is also just around the corner.
You can choose from:
- Private rooms with en-suite bathrooms
- Shared rooms with en-suite bathrooms
- Pods for extra privacy
- Breakfast at the hostel
- Blue Collar Café for coffee, food and a drink
Make the most of a weekend in the City of Lights
GLOW only really gets going once it gets dark. So there’s plenty of time to explore Eindhoven and Strijp-S during the day before setting off on the light art trail in the evening.
Stay the night, take your time on the trail, and round off your evening at Strijp-S.
