Helmond Art Festival

On Sunday, September 8, from 12:00 to 17:00, the city center will once again host the Helmond Art Festival. Enjoy discovering the work of over 60 visual artists and explore diverse cultural expressions. This year, the festival route will take you from the Market through Veestraat to Steenweg, and it will also feature the 125th anniversary celebration of Toneelgroep Genesius at Speelhuisplein.

Witness artists demonstrating their techniques, from various painting methods to the use of unique materials. There will also be opportunities to shop for distinctive jewelry and fashion accessories. Explore handcrafted jewelry made from glass or silver clay, beautiful ceramics, paintings, and sculptures. Kunstkwartier Helmond will be on hand to inspire both children and adults with activities like music-making, sculpting, and dancing.

At a surprising moment, a puppeteer may ask for your hand. Don’t be shy; say yes! Your hand will become a tiny theater where you’re in the front row, and anything can happen. In what could be the smallest theater, the briefest performance, and the tiniest stage ever, a complete story will unfold—whether it’s a rocket launch to the moon or a rendezvous in a romantic garden with a frog prince waiting for a kiss. Enjoy the charming little theater wagon.

Fiesta! invites everyone to join in making a Mexican garland from recycled materials, connecting different festival areas. Grab a piece of the moving hoop skirt, cut it into a beautiful shape, and watch as the skirt empties while the garland grows longer and more vibrant.

Kids will have a blast at the Children’s Music Garden, where they can play with musical installations, engage in games, or create their own instruments from reusable materials. Or, become a ROCKIT-DJ in an impressive 4.5-meter rocket, where kids can mix music like real DJs and control lights and sounds with extras like a smoke machine.

Aspiring graffiti artists can join a free workshop hosted by Helmond Art School. Hilma will guide children in creating graffiti art. Plus, the talent of youth orchestras from Helmond's music associations will also be highlighted.

Bas van de Kerkhof, Helmond's juggling star, will perform with the juggling group Hebbes. Experience a variety of juggling acts like diabolo, stilt-walking, and ball juggling, accompanied by lively percussion. Don’t miss Bas van de Kerkhof, the European juggling champion.

And, of course, there will be street musicians and performers. Jazz lovers can enjoy Hands up for Jazz or the Blue Marble Silver Cornet Band. On Steenweg, Toon will bring you the best of the 60s, 70s, and 80s, from soul and rock 'n' roll classics to Bob Marley and The Police. At Lokaal42, you’ll hear energetic performances from Evy & Eric and Gipsy Mood, a dynamic group performing world music, including gypsy, klezmer, Balkan, and Hot Club de France. Finally, dance your heart out with Mrs. Hips, who is back to her roots with a soulful blues and funky groove performance. In the 90s, Simone Roerade toured with Candy Dulfer, had a number 1 hit in Spain, and collaborated with many renowned artists.

Overall, it’s a fantastic day out for the whole family, with free entry for everyone!