Stories in Many Forms in the Heart of Leeuwarden
The Explore the North Festival is almost here! The festival weekend is a three-day journey of discovery, filled with stories in many forms. At beautiful locations throughout the historic city centre of Leeuwarden, musicians, theatre makers, and poets will take you on a journey through quirky stories, performances, concerts, and more.
Our festival weekend takes place on Friday 21, Saturday 22, and Sunday 23 November 2025. Get lost in stories and let yourself be carried away to churches, an old prison, a small grocery store, our own Podium Explore, and more!
From Friday at 12:00, our festival desk opens in Podium Explore. You can also grab a bite or a drink at Het Stadshart from that time (or, of course, come earlier!). In Podium Explore, our restaurant is located on the first floor. Dance, ponder, sweat, and sing together with us as we bring hope back to life.
Food and Drinks at Stadshart
During the festival weekend on 21, 22, and 23 November, Het Stadshart in Podium Explore is the place to meet fellow festival-goers and enjoy some food. Het Stadshart is located on the first floor of Podium Explore, Bagijnestraat 59. You can also pick up your festival wristband at the information desk in Podium Explore from Friday at 12:00.
Full line-up
Édouard Louis met Hans Kesting, Minne Koole & Raoul de Jong
Joost Oomen, De Poezieboys & Explore the North – Geesten
Pitou, Luwten & Naaz
aja monet
Saartje Van Camp
De Toegift
Ugly
Mary Lattimore
Poezienight – Frieten vs. Patat
Róis
Nah
Teletext – Geen Therapie
Rizan Said
Company Marte Boneschansker – Opstand
Wild Classical Music Ensemble
Sorvina
Zea, Drumband Hallelujah Makkum & Tsead Bruinja – In Lîchem Fol Beloften
Joost Oomen & Kruidkoek + Puinhoop Galore
Frino
Nicole van den Berg & Explore the North – Gran Canaria, wie neemt ons mee?
Vieze Meisje
Drie Dagen Fris – De Virginie Loveling Heartbreakshow
Funny Bergman – Ik ben Funny
It Deel IV met Kleefstra Bros, Joana Guerra & Maria do Mar de Brito Lopes
Kern Koppen – Kamikaze Copiloot
Sheebaba
M. Alberto – Radio Vitó
Elvis de Launay – Zee, Tuin, Jarman
Daniëlle Zawadi – Bewijs maar eens dat we ooit een rots waren
Immen
Urland – Before the Story Starts
Francesca Birlogeanu, Sybren van der Velde, Ellis Meeusen & Hannes Schievink – De Verwonderkamer
Johannes Lievens & Martha!Tentatief – Alleen een Wonder
Jonas Ringtved
Mensen Zeggen Dingen – Not a Protest, an Act of Love
Pauline Augustyn & Veerle van Overloop – Flood the Zone with S**t
Bundelpresentatie ‘Rode Runen’
Mona Thijs, Zindzi Tillot Owusu, Charlotte Westra & Jaimy Hindriks – De Herontdekking van Ella Wassenaer
Brainwash Festival & Poetry Circle – De Grens van de Mens met Brankele Frank, Sandy Bosmans & Halima Ikane
Sanam Tahmasebi – Freedom in Fragments
Jonge Schrijvers – Scherven van de Wereld
Alexander Moto
Magdalena Collectief – The Pornographic Archive of Clothed Dialogue
U bevindt zich hier
met Alisa Noa Bloemendaal, Ayoub El Ouali, Eelke Veltman, Faye Schumacher, Jane Stuhlmacher, Jeanne Verwee, Joshua Snijders, Lars Meijer, Maarten Jochems, Maria Magdalena de Cort, Marlena Tokarska, Matthijs van Rumpt, Mayada Srouji, Mirthe Wouters, Rojda Yavuz, Rahman Qul, Sanne Lolkema & Zoë Dankert
Nomadisch Monument voor Gaza
Puinhoop DJ’s: Rat Boyfriend, Famke Helsema & SUF B2B Matthijs Hovestadt
Nik Rajšek – Kink
Ivgi & Greben – Not Yet
Erik de Boer – Stofkruimels en Brooddeeltjes
Juersson Hermanus – Luango Stories
Eline de Vries – SRV (Van de Toekomst)
Stern Nijland – Mens en Dier 4+
Pim Lammers
Jaimy Hindriks – Een Augurk Reist met de Trein
Flurina Badel – Disgust
Zergüzeşt
Esmé van den Boom – All Real Living Is Meeting
Hannan van Rooij
Willemijn van de Walle – Op de kleintjes letten
Collectief Teder – Cornflakes, No Pornflakes