Netherlands summer festivals showcase live art and multicultural music

The seaside town of Noordwijk will host the twelfth edition of the Levende Beelden Festival on Sunday 12 July, featuring around 32 "living statues" who interact with passers‑by, alongside street musicians and mobile artists along the Koningin Wilhelmina Boulevard and Hoofdstraat. The free event runs from 13:00 to 17:00, and a second day is planned for 2 August.

In nearby Steendam, the Kultuureiland summer fest will take place on 18–19 July at the Damsterplas. Titled “Verbinding & Vrede”, the programme includes international music acts such as Batatuké, Mongoose, Felix Subway and Sheriff Mouloud Y El Zorro Loco, a lecture on the African philosophy of Ubuntu, modern‑dance performances, theatre shows and activities for children. The festival runs from 14:00 to 23:00 on Saturday and 13:00 to 22:00 on Sunday.