GLOW Helmond – 2024

For the very first time, GLOW Helmond 2024 brought the internationally renowned light art festival to the heart of Helmond. From November 10 to 16, the city center around Theater Het Speelhuis was transformed into a glowing stage of imagination and innovation. With its theme “The Stream”, this edition celebrated movement, connection and creativity in all its forms.

A City Illuminated

Helmond dazzled with installations that blended history, architecture and futuristic light art. At the Speelhuis tower, visitors were mesmerized by De Kosmonaut, a large-scale projection inspired by the work of author and illustrator Jan Vriends, who is a resident of Helmond. The cosmic visuals unfolded across the tower’s architecture, making the landmark pulse with stories of exploration and wonder.

Nearby, the Carp houses celebrated their centenary with a unique tribute. Blueprints of these historic homes were projected directly onto their facades, turning them into living monuments. The familiar streets of Helmond gained new layers of meaning as past and present collided in glowing lines and patterns.

Planetary Experiences and Interactive Art

On Speelhuisplein, four giant illuminated planets stood as a centerpiece. Representing Earth, the Moon, Mars and Saturn, these Universumbollen became an instant favorite for families and photographers. Visitors wandered among them, immersed in a cosmic landscape that invited both play and reflection.

At the same time, The Flow by artist Ruben Esterik projected infinite streams of shapes, colors and music onto a nearby house. This dynamic artwork turned everyday architecture into a cinematic experience, echoing the energy and rhythm of The Stream theme.

De Ruimtereiziger: Light Art with a Hometown Heart

Perhaps the most touching part of GLOW Helmond 2024 was De Ruimtereiziger, a project created by over 1,100 local schoolchildren. Their handmade planets, space creatures and drawings lit up the foyer of Theater Het Speelhuis, filling it with joy, imagination and community spirit.

This children’s project was part of a larger GLOW initiative across multiple festival locations, involving nearly 10,000 students in total. In Helmond, it was made possible by CultuurContact, GLOW and Pronorm, bringing the magic of light art directly into the hands of the next generation.

A New Chapter for GLOW

With installations ranging from interactive projections to historic tributes, GLOW Helmond 2024 marked a powerful new chapter for the festival. It proved that light art can transform not only spaces but also communities, inspiring pride, participation and creativity.

The debut edition in Helmond drew large crowds and created memories that will last long after the lights fade. The city has truly joined the GLOW family, shining as a beacon of innovation and imagination just beyond Eindhoven.

Images below are mostly made by the amazing Dave Van Hout.