De Nieuwe Kolk is Assen's main cultural centre, opened in 2008. The building brings together a theatre, cinema and public library in a single complex. Its programme covers drama, music, cabaret, film and dance, drawing audiences from across the Drenthe region.
Weiersstraat 1
Fred van Leer brings back his sold-out theatre show 'I Actually Don't Know' as a reprise in the 2026/2027 season.
Pink Floyd Project recreates the classic 1975 album 'Wish You Were Here' in a full concert performance in Assen.
Absurdist comedian Ronald Snijders brings his seventh show 'Living with Humour' to De Nieuwe Kolk in Assen, following the critical success of his previous performance 'Als Mens'.
INKT is a programme where authors share their work and stories. On 22 September, Bert Natter is the guest at De Nieuwe Kolk in Assen.
Documentary theatre blending music, dance, text and visual elements into a thought-provoking spectacle. For audiences aged 12 and up.
A music programme exploring the roots of blues and its influence on rock, soul, and rhythm-and-blues.
Jeffrey Halford & The Healers perform a live show in Assen.
American blues and soul singer Ruthie Foster performs an evening of authentic blues and soulful vocals in Assen.
A medical talk exploring menopause: what happens in the body, common symptoms like hot flushes and sleep issues, and how to manage them.
Tom Lanoye performs his theatrical adaptation of the medieval picaresque novel 'Van den vos Reynaerde' in a solo performance full of wit and sharp observation.
Explore the video and audio studios at the NXT Lab and experiment with creating your own content. For children aged 7 and up.
An absurd musical parody of Titanic featuring Céline Dion as a character, packed with humor and megahits.
The Billy Joel Experience performs with La Finesse String Quartet in a nocturnal programme celebrating the classical influences woven through Billy Joel's iconic songs.
Ron Jans, former player and coach of FC Groningen, shares his career story in this Third Tuesday lecture.
Explore your creative talents in the video and audio studios of the NXT Lab. This interactive event for children aged 4+ lets you experiment with video and sound production yourself.
De Nieuwe Kolk celebrates the end of Children's Book Week with a festival for ages 6-12. The 'Spotlight On!' theme puts both books and the children themselves in the spotlight.
Annual reading lunch for seniors with a catered meal and social gathering at the Ontmoetingsplein in Assen.
Annual reading lunch for seniors with a catered meal at the Meeting Square of De Nieuwe Kolk in Assen.
Annual reading lunch for seniors featuring a catered meal and social gathering at the Meeting Square.
Annual reading lunch for seniors featuring a catered meal and social gathering at the Meeting Square.
Annual reading lunch for seniors featuring a catered meal and social gathering at midday on the Meeting Square.
Annual reading lunch for seniors featuring a catered meal and social gathering at the Ontmoetingsplein.
A try-out performance exploring inner strength and identity through the story of young coconuts and Moluccan heritage.
Dianne Liesker presents De Hitbingo Band: an interactive live show blending pub quiz, live music, and comedy with audience participation and sing-alongs.
The Cosmic Carnival performs a tribute to Fleetwood Mac's iconic album Rumours, marking five decades since its release.
Pieter Derks delivers his trademark mix of friendliness and keen wit in 'Ja, Leuk', a show that examines the absurdities of contemporary life.
A tribute show honouring Cuby + Blizzards, the pioneers of Dutch blues. A celebration of the legendary duo Harry Muskee and Eelco Gelling.
Former Dutch juggling champion Huub Cooijmans performs an enchanting show of magic tricks and juggling for children aged 4 and up.
Jimmy Duchateau and his band pay tribute to John Denver with the show Rocky Mountain High.
BonteHond and Schweigman& explore sensations together - feelings that make you wiggle, tickle, and freeze. For children aged 8 and up.
Dutch theatre performer Thijs van de Meeberg presents 'Baby Reindeer', a try-out performance of his latest work.
Learn to design and make your own bag or t-shirt using cutting plotters, sewing machines, textile paint, and laser cutters.
Writer Suzanna Jansen in conversation with the audience at Van der Velde Boeken in Assen - an intimate evening of stories and questions.
Creative workshop for toddlers aged 2-4 with their parents. Six lessons featuring tactile play, painting, building, gluing, printing and cutting.
Pieter Hulst and Willem Voogd present a new theatrical adventure for children aged 8 and up, full of humor and imagination.
Creative workshop for toddlers aged 2-4 and their parents, featuring hands-on activities like touching, painting, building and cutting.
Creative workshop for toddlers aged 2 to 4 with a parent, featuring hands-on activities like touching, building, gluing and cutting. Series of 6 lessons.
Three-part workshop series for children aged 8+ to learn and expand on the fundamentals of Scratch programming.
Creative workshop for toddlers aged 2-4 with their parents, featuring hands-on activities like painting, building, and cutting. A series of 6 lessons.
Creative workshop for toddlers aged 2 to 4 with a parent: six lessons of tactile play, building, and making at the library.
A three-part workshop series where children aged 8 and up learn the fundamentals of Scratch and continue their programming journey.
Singer and theatre maker Katiuscia Principato tells the story of an extraordinary friendship between a whale and a human in this performance for young children.
Three-part workshop series on programming with Scratch for children aged 8 and up who already know the fundamentals.
Three-part workshop series on programming with Scratch for children aged 8 and up who already know the fundamentals.
Craft workshop for children aged 4+ where you make your own mask.
Hands-on workshop for children aged 7 and up where you learn to program with LEGO Spike Prime, an advanced programmable LEGO system.
Three-part workshop series in Scratch programming for children aged 8 and up who already know the fundamentals.
Cabaret duo Blauwe Vinkjes performs their show Poeha. Kevin van den Berg and Manon Blaauw present their self-taught cabaret.
TikTok Tammo takes you to Ireland with funny stories and classic Irish folk music in this reprise performance.
The Veenkoloniën Orchestra performs a symphonic concert of iconic film and musical theatre music with vocalist Martijje Lubbers.
Izaline Calister explores Caribbean heritage from World War II, uncovering the stories behind classic songs from that era.
Healthcare professionals explain heart failure and how patients and their families can cope with the condition.
Maas theater en dans presents the award-winning show CONTROLE: an energetic blend of breakdance, physical comedy, live music and absurd humour for ages 12 and up.
Sara Kroos brings her theatre show 'Prikkelarme kermis' back to the stage in Assen.
Plien & Bianca return with their comedy show 'Harrekidee!', featuring sharp timing, bold characters, and clever exchanges.
The Noord Nederlands Orkest and Concertkoor perform Shostakovich's Second Symphony and Brahms' Third Symphony.
Ricky Koole brings his comedy show 'Rare Leeftijd' to Assen, packed with recognizable observations about life.
Cabaret performer Marcel van Roosmalen brings his show 'Ik mag niet klagen' to Assen. An evening of humour about his Arnhem roots and life's quirks.
MainCourse performs a tribute to the Bee Gees, celebrating their biggest hits and the story of the legendary brothers.
Fritz Lang's silent classic Metropolis (1927) is screened with a live soundtrack by Wishful Singing.
Berit Companjen delivers energetic stand-up comedy at De Nieuwe Kolk in Assen. An evening of passion, quick wit, and unfiltered humour.
FADOpelos2 brings authentic Portuguese fado to Assen for lovers of this emotional musical tradition.
Dolf Jansen performs his comedy show 'Shameless' on New Year's Eve 2026 at De Nieuwe Kolk in Assen.
Tribute band Queen Must Go On performs Queen's greatest hits at De Nieuwe Kolk.
Wouter Monden builds a world of LEGO bricks with his daughter, exploring themes of growth, change, and shared passion in an intimate performance.
A theatrical performance about a group of children who form a secret club and practice civil disobedience. For ages 8 to 12.
Circus theatre show by Recirquel exploring what would remain if the world began anew.
Hanneke Drenth and Dianne Liesker present the third part of their humorous series about life with teenagers, filled with relatable everyday stories.
Strooigoed Theater presents a magical adventure about Sinterklaas and his missing wishing feather. For children aged 3 and up.
Juliet makes her theatre debut with 'I Promise You Eternal Doubt', a show from the creator of viral 30-second songs that has also won over Frits Spits.
Claudia de Breij rehearses her fourth New Year's Conference in Assen before the national tour.
Remko Vrijdag performs a solo show packed with absurd turns and unexpected moments.
Wabi Sabi Theater presents CONTRA, documentary theatre that weaves together music, dance, text and visual elements into a compelling spectacle.
Kaaskop & Van Vleuten perform the theatre production 'Breekbare Mensen' at De Nieuwe Kolk in Assen.
Fay Claassen performs a theatre show of Barbra Streisand's Christmas songs, interpreted through jazz.
Scapino Ballet presents 'La Mer', a visually stunning multimedia work by choreographer Nanine Linning and her international ensemble.
Huub Stapel returns with his relationship comedy 'Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus' at De Nieuwe Kolk in Assen.
David Linszen brings his cabaret show 'Striptease Van De Dood' to Assen. De Volkskrant named him Comedy Talent of 2025.
Paul de Leeuw and Annick Boer star in 'We Are Family', a new theatre production from the team behind 'Ver van je bed'.
Anne Wil Blankers and Hans Croiset perform A.R. Gurney's acclaimed classic 'Love Letters', an intimate play about love and longing.
NITE's Oersoep is a performance that captures passion as a living, present force rather than a distant memory.
Willemijn Verkaik stars in the acclaimed Broadway musical Next to Normal, a powerful story about a family navigating mental health and modern life.
Muiters brings an interactive Christmas show full of humor and music in their distinctive style.
The Noord Nederlands Orkest performs Bach's Weihnachtsoratorium, a classical masterpiece that has united audiences across generations during the Christmas season.
De Grote Haay's spirited Christmas show for independent-minded children who march to the beat of their own drum.
BookTok Festival brings the online book trend to real life: an evening of books and fellow readers, no screens required.
Cabaret performers Bert Hadders and Herman Sandman present their collaborative show 'Where Are the Streamers?' in Assen.
Create your own game with Scratch in this hands-on workshop for children aged 7 and up.
Five-week course where you learn digital fabrication techniques and build and program your own mobile robot. For children aged 7 and up.
Prosecco Night with welcome drink, photobooth, and goodie bag at De Nieuwe Kolk.
BookTok Festival brings the online book trend to real life: an evening of books and fellow readers in Assen.
BookTok Festival brings the online book trend to life with an evening of reading, connections, and shared passion for books in Assen.
Create your own game with Scratch in this hands-on workshop for children aged 7 and up.