Nacht van de Nacht 2026: the Netherlands switches off the lights on 24 October

On Saturday evening, 24 October 2026, the Netherlands holds Nacht van de Nacht (the Night of the Night). The national campaign of the Natuur en Milieufederaties, the Dutch nature and environmental federations, takes place for the 22nd time this year. Across the country, hundreds of municipalities and businesses switch off building and advertising lights for one evening, while night walks, stargazing and nature activities take place in the dark. The goal is simple: draw attention to light pollution and remind us of the value of darkness.

Nacht van de Nacht at a glance

• Date: Saturday 24 October 2026 (evening and night)
• Organiser: Natuur en Milieufederaties
• What happens: Municipalities and businesses switch off building and advertising lights, and people are invited to switch off their lights at home.
• Activities: Hundreds of activities across the country, including night walks, stargazing evenings and walks focused on listening to nocturnal animals.
• Core idea: “Licht waar het moet en donker waar het kan” – light where it is needed, darkness where possible.

Why light pollution is on the agenda

IPLO, the Dutch government’s information platform on environmental law, groups the negative effects of artificial light into four types: nuisance for people, nuisance and safety risks along roads, disturbance of nature, and horizon pollution. Horizon pollution means light that is visible from far away, about 5 to 10 kilometres and up to 15 kilometres over the sea.

For nature, night-time lighting can change animal behaviour: altered life cycles, disorientation, attraction to or avoidance of light, exhaustion and barriers along migration routes. For people, the problem is not being able to escape light when they need darkness to rest and sleep.

In terms of rules, the Netherlands has no comprehensive national regulation on lighting. National rules mainly cover lighting in greenhouses; for sports fields and light nuisance in general, municipalities have most of the say. Each municipality decides whether to include lighting rules in its environmental plan (omgevingsplan). If your business in the Netherlands uses signage, shop-window or facade lighting, it is worth checking your municipality’s rules.

Basic principles recommended by IPLO

• Do not light if it is not necessary; use light only where there is no alternative.
• Shield the light source so it is not directly visible.
• Choose low surface luminance and relatively long-wavelength (warmer) light.
• Use no more light than needed, only where it is needed and only for as long as it is needed.
• Avoid sensitive areas such as nature reserves.

A lesson for brands: being seen by turning the noise down

In marketing, visibility is often equated with “more”: brighter signs, more posts, louder campaigns. Nacht van de Nacht is a reminder of the opposite. A brand that switches off its lights for one night often stands out more than the ones that leave them on. Sometimes the best way to be seen is to turn the noise down.

What matters is that the message is backed by a real action. When it comes to sustainability, Dutch audiences tend to look for concrete steps rather than big words. “We switched off our lights” becomes stronger when you say what you switched off, for how long, and what you are changing beyond one night. Exaggerated or unverifiable environmental claims, on the other hand, damage trust.

A short checklist for businesses

• Put signage and shop-window lights on a timer. Light that stays on after closing time rarely reaches anyone.
• Point light where it is needed. Light spilling into the sky or onto neighbouring buildings costs both energy and reputation.
• Communicate your participation briefly and honestly. Share in a sentence or two what you switched off and why; a before-and-after photo often says more than a long text.
• Involve your team. Going to a nearby night walk or stargazing evening together is also a good moment for internal communication.
• Don’t stop after one night. Making the change permanent is what makes your communication credible.

If you want to join

Activities take place all over the country and programmes can change at the last minute. Check the official calendar on nachtvandenacht.nl before you go. Even if you don’t join an activity, you can support the campaign by switching off unnecessary lights at home.

How Edda Creative helps

With our team in Amsterdam and Ankara, Edda Creative plans brand communication in the Netherlands and Europe. Reading local moments such as Nacht van de Nacht, adding them to the content calendar in time and telling sustainability stories through concrete steps rather than big claims are part of that work. We prepare strategy, brand voice, content and visuals together; sales and customer relationships stay with the brand’s own team. Read more on our business development and marketing consultancy page.

Frequently asked questions

When is Nacht van de Nacht 2026?

Nacht van de Nacht 2026 takes place across the Netherlands on Saturday evening, 24 October 2026.

Who organises Nacht van de Nacht?

The campaign is organised by the Natuur en Milieufederaties, the umbrella of the provincial nature and environmental federations in the Netherlands. 2026 is its 22nd edition.

Is switching off the lights mandatory?

No. Nacht van de Nacht is a voluntary campaign; municipalities, businesses and individuals take part by choice.

How can I join an activity?

Night walks, stargazing and nature activities are listed in the official calendar. Programmes can change, so check nachtvandenacht.nl before you go.

Information compiled from official sources as of 23 October 2026.

Sources

• Nacht van de Nacht – official website (Natuur en Milieufederaties)
• IPLO (Rijkswaterstaat) – Lichthinder (light nuisance)