Eindhoven, 21 May 2026 – The light art festival GLOW revealed a first look at its 2026 edition during last night’s annual Preview Event. Under the new theme CONNECT, this year’s edition presents a route filled with light artworks in which encounters, collaboration and connection take centre stage: between people and technology, between creators and audiences, and between Eindhoven and the broader Brainport region.

During a well-attended gathering at the Steentjeskerk near Velosoof and John Knoops, the first artists, installations and collaborations were announced. The new festival director, Philip Ross, was also introduced. Ross—designer, researcher and entrepreneur working at the intersection of art and technology—takes on the artistic leadership of the festival for the first time this year.

Philip Ross said: “The question is not what we will do differently this year. We will preserve and strengthen the good and beautiful things that make GLOW what it is. And together with everyone involved, we will create new and meaningful work.”

One of the most striking announcements of the evening was the return to Philips Stadion for the first time since 2019. There, GLOW will present the first-ever drone show in Eindhoven, in collaboration with TWOFIFTYK.

Route and artworks

This year’s approximately five-kilometre route runs via, among others, 18 Septemberplein, Victoriapark, Emmasingel, Stadhuisplein, Catharinakerk, Smalle Haven and the Market Square. Along the way, visitors will encounter a mix of international light art, innovative technology projects and collaborations with regional partners.

On 18 Septemberplein, artist duo Tom & Lien Dekyvere will present their work Macchina, while the international collective Nohlab will create a large-scale 13.5-metre installation at Stadhuisplein.

Rabobank brings city, sport and GLOW together in a new light project for 2026. Together with Beeldjutters, they are developing a sporty concept that will appear at several points along the route. PSV Eindhoven forms the recognisable thread throughout the project. Through its Brainport partnership with the club, Rabobank gives the project a distinctly Eindhoven identity.

In the Catharinakerk and at several other locations in the region, the children’s project Fabellicht by Hugo Vrijdag comes to life. Children from Eindhoven and surrounding municipalities are invited to shape their imagination and stories collectively through light.

Connection as the central thread

Alongside international artists and technological innovation, GLOW continues to make room for talent development and social connection. The festival is collaborating with Ploeg-E, Eindhoven’s city poets, and the GGD Brabant-Zuidoost on a project at Clausplein where language, health and light come together.

This year also saw the launch of GLOW’s first Talent Call: an open invitation to anyone in the region with an idea for the festival, regardless of background or experience. Out of more than forty submissions, GLOW Dance Collective by Jolie Smets and Robin van Soelen was selected and will be further developed with GLOW over the coming year.

GLOW also extends beyond Eindhoven. In collaboration with municipalities and partners, new projects will again be developed in Oirschot, Best, Helmond, Veldhoven and Lieshout, underlining once more the connecting power of light across the Brainport region.

Following the anniversary edition in 2025, the festival continues in 2026 to strengthen its position as an international platform for light art, innovation and encounters.