Amsterdam's major music festivals
From unz unz unz techno parties to colourful woodland festivals, here are some of the best electronic music festivals taking place in and around Amsterdam each year.
Amsterdam Dance Event
18-22 October 2023, citywide
For over 25 years, Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) has been the leading electronic music festival in the world. ADE takes place for five days every October bringing over 2,500 of the world's most prominent electronic music artists to play in 140 of Amsterdam's best clubs. The festival also brings music industry professionals together: connecting musicians, producers, DJs and artists at a massive music conference featuring hundreds of guest speakers.
Read all our ADE coverage on our dedicated page.
Genre: everything and anything electronic.
Famous acts: where do we start?
Awakenings
7-9 April (Easter), 13-14 May (Spring), 7-9 July 2023 (Summer), Spaarnwoude
An institution in the Netherlands, Awakenings is behind some of the country’s most legendary techno events. Alongside a summer appearance in Spaarnwoude and a four-day Easter spectacle, Awakenings traditionally comes to the Gashouder at Westergas every October for a five-night event as part of the Amsterdam Dance Event.
Genre: techno.
Famous acts: Richie Hawtin, Robert Hood, Joris Voorn, Amelie Lens, Charlotte de Witte, Paul Kalkbrenner, Nina Kraviz, Reiner Zonnenveld.
Milkshake
24-25 July 2023, Westerpark
An iconic festival which takes place during Queer & Pride Amsterdam, Milkshake is an event with a clear message about respect, freedom, love and tolerance. Each stage has its own defining character and acts. You can expect everything from top DJs to drag acts, a queer chess club tent and colourful performance art. Of course, you’ll need to dress to impress, with loads of glitter guaranteed.
Genre: house, disco, pop, techno, R&B and dancehall.
Lowlands
18-20 August 2023, Biddinghuizen
Every year, more than 55,000 pilgrims make the trek to the middle of the Dutch countryside for this musical paradise. The line-up at Lowlands invariably features some of the world’s best performers and musicians from the more alternative side of the spectrum. There are also restaurants, a market, relaxation rooms, arts, theatre, literature and a sauna and hot tub area.
Genre: rock, pop, electronic.
Famous acts: Kendrick Lamar, Jame Blake, Muse, The Prodigy, Bjork, Gorillaz, The XX, The Artic Monkeys.
Lente Kabinet
27-28 May 2023, Het Twiske
Fondly referred to as the little sister festival to Dekmantel, Lente Kabinet unfolds each Spring in the stunning green surroundings of Het Twiske just north of Amsterdam. Expect a dazzling line-up spread across various indoor and outdoor stages, with smaller DJ booths frequently set up in the woods to provide a magical soundtrack beneath the trees and art installations.
Genre: house, techno, disco.
Famous acts: Antal, Peggy Gou, Todd Terje, Palms Trax, Young Marco, Peach, Job Jobse, Fatima Yamaha.
Amsterdam Open Air
3-4 June 2023, Gaasperpark
Amsterdam Open Air lights up the stunning Gaasperpark with a versatile agenda brimming with deep house, dubstep, electro, tech-house and techno. During the two-day event, a large ensemble of cultural standard bearers from Amsterdam curate incredible DJ lineups across ten stages. The music program covers the entire breadth of Dutch dance.
Genre: house, techno, dubstep, electro, hip-hop.
Famous acts: Claptone, Kerri Chandler, Goldbland, De Jeugd van Tegenwoordig, Froukje, Kris Kross Amsterdam, Henrik Schwarz, Joris Voorn.
Luminosity Beach Festival
22-24 June 2023, Bloemendaal aan Zee
Head to the shores of Bloemendaal aan Zee for Luminosity, an annual festival, where three days of pure trance are on the cards. Every summer edition, major international acts and up-and-coming talents take to the decks delivering blistering sets so you can feel the beats and the sand between your toes.
Genre: trance.
DGTL
April 16-17 2023, NDSM Wharf
Start the Easter weekend off right with one of the biggest electronic, house and techno festivals in the Netherlands. DGTL showcases the leading names in art and music during a two-day party in the industrial surroundings of NDSM Wharf. The line-up always includes an impressive mix of big-name acts, the latest discoveries and exciting local treasures.
Genre: house, techno, electronic.
Famous acts: Jon Hopkins, Moodyman, Marcel Dettman, Honey Dijon, Disclosure, Bicep, The Blessed Madonna, Jayda G.
Mysteryland
25-27 August 2023, Haarlemmermeer
In August, the former Floriade site in Haarlemmermeer will transform into the most fairytale-like and diverse electronic music festival in the Netherlands for Mysteryland. Discover hundreds of upcoming talents and leading DJs from home and abroad, providing a dazzling party. There are also exhibitions by artist collectives and theatre makers, dance performances, the smallest cinema in the world and 'spoken word' performances. Camping is optional!
Genre: house, techno, hip-hop, trance, hardcore.
Famous acts: Sven Väth, Hardwell, Adam Beyer, Diøn, James Hype, Ronnie Flex, Sound Rush, Cosmic Gate.
Loveland
27 April and 12-13 August, Sloterpark
Now running for 25 years, Loveland takes over the lush green Sloterpark in August for a two-day weekend every August. Whilst the focus is on house and techno, you can always expect a friendly and diverse crowd enjoying cheerful tunes that everyone can dance to. Don’t miss the iconic Loveland van Oranje party, which takes place on King’s Day (27 April) each year with a line-up, as they say, that consists only of royalty.
Genre: house, techno.
Famous acts: Carl Cox, Solomon, Adriatique, Mall Grab, Maceo Plex, Âme, Dixon, Moody Mehran, Olympe, Joris Voorn, Dam Swindle.
Dekmantel
Early August 2024 (TBC), Amsterdamse Bos
This multi-day electronic music festival takes place each August and is growing in scope and popularity every year. With the Amsterdamse Bos still serving as the festival's bucolic base, Dekmantel has added several other locations for their Dekmantel aan ‘t IJ programme (2-3 August). These include Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ, Tolhuistuin, Parallel and Shelter, where you’ll find close listening sessions, live concerts, lectures and film screenings.
Genre: house, techno.
Famous acts: Four Tet, Jeff Mills, Jamie XX, Omar S, Jon Hopkins, Motor City Drum Ensemble, Thundercat.
