November 19–22, 2026
Leuven B–3000
Belgium
Hours: Monday–Tuesday and Friday–Sunday 11am–6pm
Thursday 11am–10pm
Thursday, November 19 marks the start of the 20th edition of Playground. This international festival pushes the boundaries of performance and installation art.
For the 20th time, Playground presents artists working at the intersection of the performing and visual arts, who do not limit themselves to a single discipline. The programme is a vibrant mix of performance, installation, film, role-play, guided tours and choreography. Playground remains a haven for experimentation: artists explore new forms and create works that reflect on art and society. Often featuring new premieres (Belgian or otherwise), it is always full of surprises.
With: Kexin Hao, Ula Sickle, Tarik Kiswanson, Nick Steur, Marijke De Roover, Hewig Houben, Evelien Cammaert, Izidora Lethe, Nefeli Papadimouli, Tilhenn Klapper, Mirte Bogaert, Diane Mahin, Rebecca Lenaerts and Ferre Marnef.
On Friday, November 20 we organize three discussions to higlight the unique character of Playground, each featuring a dialogue between an artist and a programmer/curator. Both have attended Playground several times and have also collaborated in other contexts. They will reflect on the challenges and opportunities that characterise the specific live practice in which they work, the role that festivals such as Playground can play in the development of an artist’s practice, and the value of the networks that emerge from this:
Hedwig Houben x Émilie Renard (director of Bétonsalon, Paris)
Evelien Cammaert x Mesut Arslan (programmer experimental & live art practices)
Nefeli Papadimouli x Keren Detton (director FRAC Grand Large, Dunkirk)
