Culture Overview

Eindhoven is the heartland of Dutch design, and as such has gained a (worthy) reputation of having an eye for all things aesthetically pleasing. The world-famous Design Academy draws students from all over the country as well as Europe, and Dutch Design Week, which takes place every October, is not to be missed. But there's much more to Eindhoven than just design...

Museums

The first place lovers of contemporary art stop is the Van Abbemuseum. The museum hosts temporary collections of Dutch and foreign artists, with information in Dutch and English, as well as a permanent collection featuring such well-known names as Picasso, Chagall, Lissitzky and more. Other museums featuring modern art include the Temporary Art Centre, MU and The Krabbedans.

Of course, as Eindhoven is the 'City of Light', its institutions and events reflect this. The historic Philips Lightbulb Factory is now being turned into a Philips Museum, which will show you the history of the Philips company and its meaning for the city. And the yearly light art event GLOW attracts over 200.000 visitors to the city.

Those interested in the history of the region should visit the Kempenland Museum, which features a large selection of historical prints, paintings and photography from the Eindhoven area, as well as a small collection of sculptures.

If you prefer to live history rather than just look at it on the walls, the Historical Open Air Museum is not to be missed. Located in the massive Genneper Parks, as you wander the outdoor museum you'll pass from the Iron Age into Medieval times, complete with costumed characters to explain how the ancient Dutch people lived.

Finally, whether you're a car fanatic or you simply drive one, the DAF Museum is an interesting stop, and features about 120 historic cars on display.

Galleries

If you wander the streets of the city centre, you're sure to run across a plethora of small art and design galleries. A good place to start is Kleine Berg Street, which itself is home to several hip venues.

Music and Theatre

Eindhoven knows how to accommodate music lovers, and features a handful of top venues where you can catch concerts and other special events. In addition, several clubs often host live local and international talent. Finally, there's Parktheater, located in the Stadswandelpark, where you can catch theatre and opera. See our events calendar for more information!