Bibliotheek Neude is Utrecht's central public library, housed in the city's former main post office on the Neude square. The monumental 1920s building pairs a striking art-deco hall with a contemporary library interior. Besides books and study spaces, it regularly hosts lectures, debates and cultural events.
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Illustrator and artist Hedy Tjin displays her work in the window of Bibliotheek Neude. Her illustrations appear on murals, textiles, and children's books.
A photographic exhibition by Harry Slegh exploring grief and loss through portraits of Jana De Guchtenaere, capturing the emotional aftermath of bereavement.
A portrait series exploring grief, loss, and the people who help us through difficult times. An exhibition honouring those who offer comfort and solace.
An exhibition exploring cremation, water and ritual through the lens of scattering ashes at sea.
A programme for children aged 6-12 dealing with loss. After a read-aloud, they can craft or write a letter to someone they miss, which is then posted together in a special letterbox.
A space to release frustration and tension without causing real harm - an alternative take on the traditional rage room experience.
A guided tour through Utrecht's former post office, now a library, exploring the building's history, artwork, and collection spaces.
Open mic evening about grief, hosted by poet Maarten Meijer. Share your story and find solace in shared experience.
An intimate remembrance with dance, music and movement, guided by Fleur Bomelijn and Jorn ten Ham. Share your memories of loved ones and feel connection.
A gathering for Portuguese literature enthusiasts in Utrecht where members celebrate their shared passion for reading.
A guided tour through Bibliotheek Neude for children aged 8-12, exploring the building's past as a post office and solving riddles along the way.
A relaxed handcraft meetup where you can work on your own projects - knitting, crochet, embroidery, or anything else - in the company of fellow makers.
Portuguese-language story time for young children at Bibliotheek Neude. A warm, welcoming activity where toddlers and preschoolers enjoy stories read aloud.
Interactive workshop where you solder your own measurement device and collect data about the urban environment.
Watch the recording of VPRO Boeken, where Lotje IJzermans interviews writers of literary fiction and non-fiction. Registration required.
A creative workshop where participants discover what you can do with scissors and paper, from simple shapes to combinations with drawing or folding.
An evening of poetry writing at Bibliotheek Neude, surrounded by books and fellow writers. Bring your unfinished poems or start something new.
The Great Utrecht City Conversation brings speakers with lived experience together to share personal stories around the theme 'Sharing Together', with live music from folk band Odevare.
A gathering where participants read aloud from world literature together and discover unexpected connections with each other.
Weekly English story time for children aged 4 to 8 at Bibliotheek Neude Utrecht.
A monthly book club meeting to discuss literary works about friendship, loss, and identity. All are welcome to participate.
A Saturday morning story session in Serbian for young children at Bibliotheek Neude in Utrecht.
Children aged 4 to 8 gather at Bibliotheek Neude for an afternoon of stories read in Spanish, bringing the language to life through engaging tales.
Volunteers help you repair broken items instead of throwing them away. Free and open to everyone.
A tarot reading session where you discover the meaning of the cards and explore the influences currently at play in your life.
Italian story time for toddlers and preschoolers, where children aged 2-6 listen to tales read aloud in a warm, welcoming setting.
Guided tour through Bibliotheek Neude discovering hidden animals and stories, designed for children aged 4 to 7.
A Sunday morning session blending a picture book with guided yoga movements for children aged 4 to 8.
A guided walk through Utrecht discovering poems and texts on walls and pavements, explained by a Dutch language student.
A fortnightly tech café where makers work on hands-on projects. After a short introduction, participants dive into their own ideas or continue existing work.
VPRO's Tegenlicht hosts a meet-up where documentary clips and YouTube Specials spark conversation with guests and visitors about global developments.
A monthly discussion group for active older adults in Utrecht, where participants collectively choose the theme for each meeting.
Interactive workshop exploring algorithms and information bubbles. Discover how your personalized online experience diverges from what others see.
Ivonne from Atelier Spat runs a monthly card and envelope-making workshop at Bibliotheek Neude in Utrecht.
Interactive workshop teaching you to identify fake images, deepfakes and misleading information, and to tell fact from fiction.
A creative writing workshop where culinary techniques inspire writing methods. Join the Writing Café for an afternoon of hands-on wordcraft.
A meeting place for people with dyslexia, their loved ones, and anyone with a differently wired brain. Share experiences and ask questions in a supportive setting.
Restorative Café exploring emotional recovery and restorative justice through conversations with speakers on victim-offender mediation, community conferences, and peer mediation.
Creative writing workshop for children aged 8-12 in the library where you invent characters, poems and stories.
Deirdre Carasso and Menno Hurenkamp investigate why people are drawn to strong leaders and how authoritarian seduction takes hold.
Monthly gathering for haiku enthusiasts in Utrecht where participants write poetry together and share their work with one another.
A reading club for book lovers where participants meet to read together and share their passion for literature.
Culinary journalist Hiske Versprille leads a workshop on writing about restaurants and food, inspired by Herman Koch's novel "Het diner".
Author Herman Koch discusses his novel 'The Dinner' with Ruth Bergmans on the closing day of the national reading month.
A gentle musical theatre show where Pietje Moe joins Sinterklaas for the first time. Full of funny scenes, traditional and original Saint Nicholas songs that invite the audience to sing along.
A writing café where you pen meaningful wishes - for those you love or for your stories. A reflective way to say goodbye to 2026 at the library.
Free coding session for ages 7-17. Build websites, create apps and programs, or explore games and robots.
Bibliotheek Neude screens the beloved classic 'It's a Wonderful Life' with James Stewart, introduced by filmmaker Maarten Peels.
A funny story about Santa's son who would rather become the Easter Bunny. For children from age 4.
Winterkost brings the fairy tale of Rapunzel to life for children aged 3 and up. A performance about escape, discovery, and the wide world beyond the tower.
Oortwolk subverts the fairy tale in this absurd, slapstick-filled show about 'happily ever after' - packed with magic and humour for ages 8 and up.
An evening exploring grief and solace through two photo exhibitions, poetry by Maud Vanhauwaert, and music by Hilde Konings at Bibliotheek Neude in Utrecht.
A reading club exploring grief through literature, led by writer Lena Bril. Select a book, read it at home, then discuss how the theme of grief emerges in your choice.
A workshop on grief and support: learn how to be present for someone who has lost a loved one and understand the processes people experience after loss.
Thai comedy-drama about a student who cares for his dying grandmother while hoping to inherit her wealth.
Create your own clay candlestick in this hands-on workshop. No experience required; all are welcome to join and connect with others.
Guided bike ride through Utrecht discovering street poetry on walls, pavements and urban surfaces, led by a Dutch language student.
Meet fellow cycle travellers, share your plans and get inspired by stories of long-distance routes to Berlin, Rome and beyond.
A symposium exploring housing market mobility in Utrecht, examining who makes room for whom.
Celebrate Winnie the Pooh's birthday with an English story, games, and a craft activity for children aged 4 to 8.
Researchers Dina and Dano hunt for the last bones of a baby triceratops in this interactive adventure about teamwork and problem-solving for children aged 5 and up.
A musical take on the Narcissus and Echo myth featuring live singing and cabaret-style characters. A tragicomic exploration of unrequited love for children aged 9 and up.
Tieke Masfar reads the story of Louis Paraplouis aloud, followed by a hands-on craft activity where children make their own lucky charm. For ages 4+.
Ecologist Nanda 't Lam explores how cities can expand green spaces to build resilience against climate change and accommodate growing populations.
Three scholars explore how emotions like anger, hope and empathy increasingly shape political decision-making and what this means for democracy.
Blauw Gras publishing house hosts a talk-show afternoon featuring authors like Isabelle Kafando and Lisa Weeda discussing their new books.
A workshop for children exploring the benefits of outdoor play and nature, led by author Maartje Kouwen.
Two curious mice take children on a creative adventure filled with imagination and wonder in this charming performance.
Utrecht residents from all neighbourhoods and backgrounds gather for the Great Utrecht City Dinner on World Day for Overcoming Extreme Poverty, with Fati's Tajine served at Bieb Neude.
A creative workshop where children design their own fantasy character and gradually construct an adventure for them to embark on.
Picture This! exhibition features award-winning picture book illustrations from 2026, bringing together talented illustrators from across the globe.
A special Frontaal event examining community, care, and mutual support among young writers through an intersectional feminist lens.
Interactive writing workshop for children aged 8 and up. Learn how to start a story, develop characters, and write your own book.
Wardy Hamburg presents her book about her daughter Francesca, who was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma at age five. The book features Francesca's own drawings and tells her story from her perspective.
Young writers share their own stories in a guided reading session hosted by Tim Schouten, part of Children's Book Week Spot aan!
A unique blend of yoga and poetry: instructor Niki guides the class while poet Benzokarim performs verses between the poses.
Children's yoga instructor Deborah pairs picture books with yoga classes for ages 4-8 and their caregivers.
Meet fellow world cyclists and discover the 100 Cols, a famous cycling challenge. Share your dreams of adventurous rides to distant cities.
Design your own pop-up cards with Hedy Tjin. Draw, cut and paste your story into a card of your choice.
A writing café where you discover techniques to start writing fast, finding inspiration in everyday moments.
Danshuis de Bieb hosts the bachata community in the Grote Zaal for a free-form dance evening as part of the Utrecht Queer Culture Festival.
A historical talk on Dutch protest songs spanning labour rights to anti-racism, with live performances by the choir De Stem des Volks.
A meetup for people interested in exploring social challenges through serious games while having fun together.
An evening of short films by HKU students exploring queerness through stories of love, bodies, sexuality and identity, part of the Utrecht Queer Culture Festival.
Drag and cabaret performance by Wrivinge exploring queer history, sexuality, and otherness with wit and bold storytelling.
A children's dance party with dress-up clothes and make-up, inspired by the story "Donnie Wants the Lead Role". Part of the Utrecht Queer Culture Festival.
Donnie dreams of playing the princess in the school musical, but gets cast as the dragon instead. A playful story about preference, identity, and finding your own voice.
UQCF screens the documentary 'I Am Who I Am', following Emily Boone's coming-out journey in a Christian community.
A Studium Generale lecture exploring the boundary between healthy skepticism and conspiracy thinking, featuring jurist Willeke Slingerland and historian Amanda de Lannoy.
Celebration of 50 years of writing by Jacques Vriens, featuring a theatrical performance, career retrospective and book signing at Bibliotheek Neude Utrecht.
Illustrator Harmen van Straaten reads and discusses his Children's Book Week picture book 'Herrie in de tent', with live drawing and interactive fun for kids aged 4+.
Three celebrated children's authors share their poetry and stories in an engaging evening for young readers aged 7 and up.
A special exhibition by the Utrecht Queer Culture Festival showcasing wedding photos from Utrecht couples celebrating 25 years of equal marriage rights.
Award ceremony for the Filter Translation Prizes, honouring outstanding literary translations and children's literature translations on International Translation Day.
A Restorative Café exploring restorative justice, human rights, and community connection with guest speakers.
A treasure hunt through the library searching for Spot On! stickers during Children's Book Week. For ages 4 to 12.
Listen to stories by Utrecht children's authors on the library's yellow bench, with fairy tales read aloud in multiple languages by university students.
Pianist Remy Alexander, guitarist and singer Rianne Wilbers perform a live concert for babies and toddlers. The programme blends children's songs with jazz and contemporary classical music.
Introduction evening for students wanting to contribute to a better world. Meet like-minded peers and discover how you can make an impact.
Interactive exhibition from the Nederlands Film Festival showcasing VR experiences, installations and performances at Bibliotheek Neude.
An evening of discussion about the work and legacy of writer Jacqueline Harpman, featuring essayist Ibe Rossel, researcher Will Kranendonk, and literary scholar Agnes Andeweg.
A workshop exploring digital habits and phone use, where participants discuss ways to make meaningful changes in their relationship with technology.
Documentary about librarians fighting for reading freedom, screened as part of Banned Books Week.
SchrijfFest is an afternoon of writing workshops and performances by writers including Annet Schaap, Babs Gons and Maartje Wortel, for anyone who loves to write.
Pim and Pom take children from age 2 on an interactive musical adventure packed with songs, colourful sets and playful chaos.
STUT Theater explores the complexity of youth care from multiple perspectives, examining both the burden and support we carry with us.
Creative workshop for toddlers and preschoolers where children draw, paint and experiment with various materials.
An exhibition following the life of Manu, a 7-year-old boy living with a metabolic disease.
An evening dedicated to Palestinian children, featuring interviews with expert guests and a performance by dancer Adam Dawoud.
PS/PS/PS presents a monthly film screening in Utrecht themed around Back2skool.
Create a handwritten postcard with artist Beatrijs in this interactive Poskuns workshop at Bibliotheek Neude.
Interactive workshop on clear communication for professionals, featuring practical exercises and insights into the importance of plain language.
Free guided art tour through Bibliotheek Neude's collection of contemporary works and historic sculptures by Hendrik van den Eijnde.
English-language tour of the historic Bibliotheek Neude, a former post office from 1900 now serving as a public library.
Free guided tour of the exterior architecture of the Bibliotheek Neude, with volunteer guides explaining the ornate facades and distinctive details.
Lieve Baetens from the Volksbuurtmuseum shares stories about the neighbourhood's heritage and how everyday life in Wijk C shaped Utrecht's history.
Utrecht authors read excerpts from their work at the celebratory opening of the Utrecht Reading Benches.
Utrecht University hosts a conversation about the democratic rule of law with researchers, writers and theatre makers at Bibliotheek Neude.
A textile, metal and glass installation exploring the flora and fauna of Dutch tidal zones, from micro-organisms to water's wider planetary effects.
A singing afternoon featuring popular Dutch songs, organized by Taal Doet Meer with musicians from choir Duniya and Language Café participants.
Three experts discuss the state of democracy: why citizens are withdrawing and how we move forward.
Forró dance night at Bibliotheek Neude with an introduction and free dancing. Hosted by Baile da Dom, a local Forró community from Utrecht.
Peace Brigades presents 'Pesta Babi' with expert discussion and audience Q&A at Bibliotheek Neude.
Artists Quita Felix and Maarten de Goede explore how collaboration works, inviting visitors to reflect on their own experiences of working together.
Designer Jan Stolk examines how to honor and process the grief caused by the Twin Towers attacks in this exhibition.
Opening of the KeuzeKast Lusofonia at Bibliotheek Neude, a special bookcase featuring works from Portuguese-speaking countries. A celebration of Utrecht's Portuguese community.
A day for book lovers at Bibliotheek Neude featuring meet & greets with favourite authors, panel discussions, workshops and a market with bookish goodies.
A short film by HKU students exploring nostalgia and the meaning of home.
Jennifer van Heeckeren reads from her children's book 'Goodnight little bear' for children aged 4 to 8.
An interactive workshop by Stut Theater exploring what you really need and which memories help you carry things.
Two Utrecht writers share stories from their own books for children aged 4-6, followed by crafts and playtime.
Photo exhibition by Carla Kogelman exploring life with mental health conditions through portraits and personal testimonies from patients, families, and caregivers.
Lidewijde Paris teaches you how to analyse film like literature, exploring what stands out, what remains hidden, and what unfolds beneath the surface.
A video installation by Monk Dizzy Dagelet exploring how spaces shape our inner lives and memories.
Two film blocks featuring diverse works exploring the theme 'Yesterday is Today' at the Everything is Film Festival in Bibliotheek Neude.
Interactive stop-motion installation where visitors collectively create a film, frame by frame. The finished work premieres on the closing night of the Everything is Film Festival.
One-on-one philosophical conversations with Brecht or Ernst about topics on your mind. A chance to work through difficult questions and expand your thinking.
A photo exhibition featuring the stories of Ukrainian women survivors, combining documentary photography, video installations and personal testimonies.
Exhibition of works by children (ages 2-10) from the Kris Kras Atelier, where they develop their own creative ideas using simple materials.