With hundreds of festivals to choose from across the Netherlands we have narrowed down the top choices from May to August that should be on your radar!
Photo Credit: Lisa Sant
The Dutch capital of Amsterdam has always been a party destination but for music lovers it is a haven for some of the best festivals in the world. The festivals featured here are either in Amsterdam or a couple of hours away, and they host lineups that would make any house or techno lover drool. Summer is nearly here so get planning early to secure your tickets, accommodation and flights. Wherever you decide to party this summer, party safe and remember peace, love, unity and respect!
Komm Schon Alter Das festival – May 18th
With an amazing line-up from some of the finest in melodic techno this festival nestled into the Tuinen van West in Amsterdam is a great choice!
Lentekabinet – May 18th and 19th
Dekmantel proudly announces the 11th edition of Lentekabinet, landing on the green grounds of Het Twiske in the holiday weekend of May 18 & 19, 2024. As the opening ceremony of a new season, the intimate and interdisciplinary festival brings together national and international DJs and live acts, local nightlife and music collectives, as well as collaborations with Amsterdam’s cultural mainstays. The two-day celebration invites festival goers to reunite and reconnect: with music, with the arts, with nature and—through all of the above—with each other.
Awakenings Upclose – May 18th and 19th
Awakenings Upclose stands for an intimate, dance floor-oriented festival where they aim to create the perfect rave conditions where you are invited to a more intimate gathering than the main Awakenings summer festival. It is here where they aim to dismantle the traditional barriers between the artists and you. It’s time to meet eye to eye-on the dance floor.
Explore their Holy Ground through a fresh lens and get inspired by new areas and surprising stages. At the heart of it, an Awakenings‘ experience, with an unparalleled sound.
In the spirit of adventure, Awakenings are pushing their musical boundaries and exploring cutting-edge techno sounds. Expect an exciting lineup with the Awakenings techno quality you’re used to.
Butterflies of Babylon – May 31st and June 1st
The Gardens of Babylon crew return to their home turf in Amsterdam for a two-day festival at Thuishaven. Bring your cosmic vibes, smiles and best festival outfits for what is sure to be a beautiful two days filled with organic house vibes.
Free Your Mind – June 1st and 2nd
Take a trip to the city of Arhem, just an hour away from Amsterdam, for a local vibe with a massive techno line-up of local and international talent!
909 Festival – June 1st and 2nd
The Loveland team’s techno festival is always a favorite for its incredible line-up and mature crowd. Set inside of the beautiful Amsterdamse Bos, this is a weekender that you don’t want to miss!
Amsterdam Open Air – June 1st and 2nd
Every first weekend of June AOA takes place at the Gaasperpark in Amsterdam. Here you’ll find a selection of some of the cities best promoters each hosting their own stage. You’ll experience the full spectrum of electronic music and creativity in a beautiful festival playground.
Lago Lago – June 28th and 30th
This festival is a favourite for it’s beautiful location and diverse line-up. It’s location 1,5 hours away by car from Amsterdam towards the German border, so carpooling or getting an RV is ideal.
The ultimate techno holiday returns to Hilvarenbeek will take place 1.5 hours away from Amsterdam by car. With this line-up of techno heavyweights and the incredible Awakenings production, this one is always in the summer festival spotlight!
Wildeburg is one of the best camping festivals in Holland which is set inside a bamboo forest with sand dunes, a variety of art, live acts and a DJs covering a great spectrum of sounds. This is an hour from Amsterdam by car or possible to get to by train in two hours.
This one-day festival is where the music gets funky with headliners like Dennis Ferrer, Move D and Traumer.
Dekmantel – July 26th and August 4th
This renowned festival will be celebrating it’s 10-year anniversary this year over 10 days and 4 venues. The main outdoor festival will take place again at Amsterdamse Bos from August 2-4th.
He.she.they & Dockyard – August 3th
Dockyard presents HE.SHE.THEY at Thuishaven Terrein for a day of techno madness to celebrate Amsterdam Pride. Together they aim to create a techno rave for EVERYONE, all sexualities, all races, all genders!
Loveland – August 10th and 11th
Loveland is always a favourite for it’s amazing line-up, mature crowd and it’s gorgeous location. This year’s Loveland Festival features a well-balanced mix of big guns, fan-favorites, homegrown talent, and plenty of fresh faces.
Straf_werk is always a great day festival held at Havenpark Amsterdam with a great line-up, easily accessible stages and fun vibes!
Renowned electronic music artist Reinier Zonneveld will debut his specially-crafted AI model, R², into his live electronic music set, promising an experience like no other for electronic music enthusiasts worldwide.
Zonneveld will be the first to have a B2B between human and computer. In addition to the R² mainstage, there will be seven other stages at the festival hosted by music institutions, labels, and clubs pivotal in Reinier Zonneveld’s history including including Free Your Mind, Kompass, Amnesia Pyramid, De Marktkantine, STOOR, The Beginning, Filth On Acid, and Unreal.
Audio Obscura ventures on a new journey with their first summer festival.
Celebrating more than a decade of transcendent events, the festival will take place at the at Van Nelle Fabriek in Rotterdam and iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site. The festival will host multiple outside and inside stages at Van Nelle Fabriek, intertwining the classic and contemporary for an all-day-long midsummer celebration.
Mysteryland – August 30th and September 1st
Mysteryland is Amsterdam’s longest-running festival with over 30 years of experience. Take a trip through musical dimensions from house to hardstyle, techno to urban and everything in between at Holland’s largest festival with over 100,000 festival goers, 250 acts and 22 stages. Expect Dutch production at its finest and a variety of stages including Elrow and Drumcode. This festival aims to bring peace, love and mystery!
