Maastrichtjaar 2026 & Dancing (back) in the Park
Tuesday, January 6, marked the official opening of Maastrichtjaar 2026. A year in which encounters and connections take center stage – with an eye on the past, present, and future. Free activities are being organized throughout the city for all Maastricht residents.
Dancing in the Park
We are proud that the Nederlandse Dansdagen, together with William Bartels on behalf of the SMILE Foundation and Maastricht Vitale Stad, have been selected to realize one of the projects. This summer, we are bringing Dancing in the Park back to the city park: a beloved tradition from the 1950s and 1960s, brought back to life in a contemporary form.
For one weekend, Maastricht will come together to dance, move, and meet each other — young and old, new and old Maastricht residents, from all corners of the city.
We will share more about the program in the coming months. Keep an eye on our social media!
About Maastrichtjaar 2026
In 2026, Maastricht will be celebrating a year of connection. During Maastrichtjaar, people will be brought together by looking back on the city's rich history. Stories, traditions, and special moments from the past will form the basis for new encounters and collaborations in the present.
Maastricht is a city of many faces. Some residents have lived here for generations, while others have only recently made the city their home. Students, expats, young families, refugees, and native Maastrichtians: everyone is part of the same story. Maastrichtjaar invites all these people to meet each other, learn from each other, and make new memories together.
Throughout the year, activities and events will take place in the city that bring the past back to life. Not to look back with nostalgia, but to discover what connects everyone, then and now. In this way, a city is being built in which solidarity, understanding, and pride are central.