Burning Man is in Nijmegen – Step into Something Extraordinary
From 16 – 19 April 2026, the Burning Man European Leadership Summit will take place in Nijmegen.
For four days, the NYMA site will host more than 200 creative event organizers, artists, community builders, and curious innovators from around the world. This is where ideas will ignite, collaborations spark, and the art of building extraordinary experiences together comes alive.
Public Day — Your Invitation to the WaalPlaya
On Sunday, April 19, from 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM, the NYMA site will open its doors to you.
For one magical afternoon, this industrial riverside will transform into the “WaalPlaya”: a vibrant, temporary world where art, participation, and human connection come together. This open-air cultural exchange is not one you simply attend, but one that the citizens of Nijmegen are invited to co-create and experience Burning Man culture.
Wander through interactive art. Join free workshops. Encounter unexpected performances. Or better yet – bring your own magic! Whether it’s a costume, a pop-up workshop, a spontaneous performance, gifting stations, your presence shapes the experience. Here, there are no spectators – only participants.
As a special highlight, gather with the community for a powerful shared moment – a Burning Man-style effigy burn at 5:00 PM, a ritual of transformation, release and celebration.
Come curious. Come ready to connect. Come experience what Burning Man is about!
Interact with Art from Nijmegen and Beyond
A €15,000 municipal grant from the City of Nijmegen has enabled local and international artists to create large-scale, interactive pieces specifically for the “WaalPlaya” landscape. Experience Burning Man style art in a whole new way!
Featuring:
Outside
Effigy – Alex Strik ⧫ RJ45 – Willem Kelderkamp ⧫ The Pocket Universe / Infinity Room – Bram Duijf ⧫ The Mushroom – Han Engbers ⧫ Aluminum Man – Forever Jang ⧫ This Too Shall Pass + Moondancer Performance – Lehka “Luna” Washington ⧫ Daft Punk was Here – Mooniek Crijns ⧫ X- Regionals Burn Barrel Project – Goku Kavaliauskas, Justas Ja, Henrijs Šešo, Povilas Germanavicius, Yarolsav Mamay, Oksana Hoshva, Koste Danaisaite ⧫ Vibecycle – Henrik Hesslau ⧫ and more!
Inside (not accessible during the Public Day)
The Dimension Doors – Alex Cuthbertson ⧫ Cardboard Architects – Antoine Possi ⧫ Grounding Wires – Andre Ploeg ⧫ Cubic Chess & “Peace Wall” – ForeverJang ⧫ BurnKoffer – Amely Mephy ⧫ The Luxury of Inefficiency – Jake Kelly ⧫ Sorrounding Shapes – Leonora Bakker ⧫ “The Portal” Entrance Arch & “The New World” Painting – Laurie Drew ⧫ Liquid Projections Show – Marco Broeders ⧫ Digital Totem (Live painting + Collaborative painting) – Collin-Satre ⧫ Tears in Rain – Rachel Rosen ⧫ Burning Man Art Exhibition – Click van de Stadt & Fossa van der Meulen ⧫ Black Rock City Photo Gallery – Jöerg Pfuetzner ⧫ Ceiling Worms – Rachel Brennesholtz ⧫ Light Statues & Sculpting Performance – Udo Filon ⧫ Multiverse – Roeland Odijk ⧫ The “Shit Show” – Bibi & Josh ⧫ Burning Man Art Pictures Exhibition – Huybert van de Stadt & Fossa van der Meulen ⧫ Waist Portrait – Students of HAN ⧫ Main Hall Decor – Eric van de Pas
Hear Burning Man Leaders & Innovators
Sunday, 19 April 2:30 PM – 4 PM in De Vasim – Becoming Central (Main Hall)
What is Burning Man? – Harley K. Dubois ⧫ What is Culture? Nijmegen and Burning Man ⧫ The City as a Lab: Culture Hacking and Collective Urbanism – Mike Zuckerman ⧫ Panel: The Art of Becoming: How Art Can Change the World – Dadara, Marisja Smit, Thijs Trompert ⧫ Nijmegen European Capital of Culture 2033 – Maike Fleuren
4:00 PM in De Vasim – Resonance (Small Hall)
Love Has No Flag + Workshop – Dadara
A flag to Unite instead of Divide ❤️ In our increasingly polarised world, flags nowadays only seem to divide us and create separation. But instead of seeing humans as representatives of countries, we might also see them as members of an interconnected human community.
What happens when we stop saluting symbols of separation and start painting the colors of connection?`
With Love Has No Flag Dadara invites you to explore the radical practice of belonging. In this hands-on laboratory, Nijmegenaren and Burners join forces to dismantle the barriers of polarization through collective imagination. Working in small groups, you will navigate the themes that divide us and co-create flags that envision a world where we belong beyond borders and labels. These collective masterpieces will be carried together in a grand parade toward the Waalplaya Burn as a moving testament to Nijmegen’s journey as a city of co-creation and a future European Capital of Culture.
Participate in Creative Activities
Sunday, 19 April 1 PM – 5 PM outside on NYMA site
Tip Tipi – Jean ⧫ Camp Bont – Bont Genootschap ⧫ Portets of 50/50 – Jeu Plastic ⧫ Expo Bart – Kasper ⧫ Music – Gino le Noir ⧫ Complementea – Mooniek Crijns ⧫ Tea House Van – Eva Van der Zand ⧫ elektronic-immersive-acrobatic-installation-improvisation – Pablo Miggiels ⧫ Music Thinking Jam Cards – Christof Zürn ⧫ Paint & Let Go – Amy Schattevoet ⧫ Love, Light, massages, healings, singing, dancing workshop, yin yoga – Immy Angel ⧫ Kollage Klub – Valine Veerman ⧫ Face painting – Rozanne Callaert ⧫ Performance/installation – Bo Lemmens ⧫ Fire Spinners & Circus Team – Roos ⧫ and more – bring your own magic!
Learn more about Burning Man activities and ways to connect with community members in the Netherlands.
Join the fun and participate in art and community at this one-of-a-kind event!