Parktheater Eindhoven

The Parktheater Eindhoven is the city's main theatre, on the Elzentlaan at the edge of the green Stadswandelpark, just outside the city centre. It is the place for musicals, dance, opera, Dutch comedy, drama, children's theatre and concerts in a classic theatre setting.

From city theatre to Parktheater

The theatre started life in the 1960s as the Stadsschouwburg, the municipal theatre of Eindhoven, built in 1964. Plans for a renovation and expansion began in the 1990s, and the project eventually cost almost 30 million euros. The renovated theatre, with a brand-new hall, reopened in January 2007 under its current name, Parktheater Eindhoven.

The design combines two worlds, under the motto "Park en Pluche" (park and plush): the original part kept the classic look of the 1960s, while the new part has a contemporary style. The theatre has a large, classic main hall with more than 900 seats, and a newer, flexible hall that can be used as a theatre with seats or with a flat floor for concerts, events and dinners. The theatre also has several foyers, bars and meeting rooms, and is used for conferences and events during the day. It welcomes around 300,000 visitors a year, many of them from the wider region.

What's on

The Parktheater programmes a wide range of performances:

• Musicals: touring productions, both Dutch and international.
• Dance and ballet: classical ballet, contemporary dance and dance shows.
• Opera and classical concerts: often with surtitles.
• Dutch cabaret and comedy: the big names of Dutch cabaret, in Dutch.
• Drama and youth theatre: theatre companies from the Netherlands and Belgium, and family shows.

Good to know for internationals

Most drama and cabaret at the Parktheater is in Dutch. That doesn't mean there is nothing for you: dance, ballet, opera with surtitles, concerts and many musicals are easy to follow without speaking Dutch. When in doubt, check the language information on the show page or ask the box office. Classical ballet productions around the holidays, for example, need no language at all.

There is no dress code; most people come in smart-casual clothes. Dutch theatres start on time, so arrive at least fifteen minutes early. During the interval many people order their drinks at the bar, and in many Dutch theatres you can order your interval drink in advance.

The Stadswandelpark

The theatre lies on the edge of the Stadswandelpark, one of the classic city parks of Eindhoven, with old trees, ponds and walking paths. On a summer evening, a walk through the park before the show is a lovely way to start the evening.

Tips for your visit

• Check the language first. Look for words like "dans" (dance), "musical", "opera" or "boventiteling" (surtitles) in the show description; when in doubt, ask the box office whether a show works for non-Dutch speakers.
• Book early for the holidays. Family shows and ballet productions around Christmas are popular and sell out.
• Eat nearby. Some visitors combine the theatre with dinner in the city centre; others prefer a drink in the foyer before the show.
• Enjoy the park. On light summer evenings, a walk through the Stadswandelpark is part of the experience.

Getting there

The Parktheater is at Elzentlaan 50, about a twenty-minute walk from Eindhoven Centraal or a short bus ride. There are public parking facilities around the theatre. By bike it is about ten minutes from the city centre.

Check the calendar above for upcoming shows, or see all theatre and film in Eindhoven and our nightlife guide.