Amsterdam's major music festivals

Awakenings

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: Amelie Lens, Adam Beyer, Charlotte de Witte, Jeff Mills, Joris Voorn, Tale of Us, Mind Against, Kolsch, Secret Cinema.

Lente Kabinet

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: Peggy Gou, Palms Trax, Young Marco, Job Jobse, Todd Terje, Peach, Fatima Yamaha.

Amsterdam Open Air

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, Goldband, De Jeugd van Tegenwoordig, Froukje, Kris Kross Amsterdam, Philo Louzolo, Henrik Schwarz, Joris Voorn.

Luminosity Beach Festival

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.

Milkshake

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.

Dekmantel

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: Bicep, Jeff Mills, Jamie XX, Omar S, Jon Hopkins, Motor City Drum Ensemble, Overmono.

Grachtenfestival

Grachtenfestival, or the Canal Festival, is a multi‑day celebration of classical, jazz and world music held each August across Amsterdam’s iconic canals and architectural landmarks. Musicians perform everywhere, from pontoon boats in the canals and private canal houses to museums, churches and open‑air stages, creating unforgettable concert experiences against the city’s historic backdrop. Highlights include the famed Prinsengrachtconcert, an annual floating orchestral performance in front of Hotel Pulitzer. The festival also emphasises young talent, with competitions, masterclasses and intimate pop‑up shows in unique venues.

Genre: classical, jazz, world, experimental crossovers.

Loveland

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: Solomun, Adriatique, Mall Grab, Maceo Plex, Âme, Dixon, Moody Mehran, Olympe, Joris Voorn, Dam Swindle.

Lowlands

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 restaurants, a market, relaxation rooms, arts, theatre, literature, a sauna, and a hot tub area.

Genre: rock, pop, electronic.

Famous acts: Fred Again, Peggy Gou, Billie Eilish, Florence & the Machine, Chappell Roan, Arctic Monkeys, Queens of the Stone Age.

Kwaku Summer Festival

Kwaku Summer Festival is one of Amsterdam’s most joyous and culturally rich festivals, taking place over several weekends in July and August in Nelson Mandela Park. Originally founded as a football tournament celebrating Surinamese independence, Kwaku has evolved into a lively celebration of Afro-Caribbean culture, music, and food. Beyond the music, visitors enjoy international street food, dance competitions, and community events.

Genre: reggae, dancehall, Afrobeat, hip-hop, funk, jazz, disco.

Famous acts: Sister Sledge, Kenny B, Jeangu Macrooy, Shalamar, Hugh Masekela.

Mysteryland

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, Claptone, Diøn, James Hype, Ronnie Flex, Sound Rush, Cosmic Gate.

Amsterdam Dance Event

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 even start? You name them, chances are they’re playing in Amsterdam during ADE.

DGTL

Start the Easter weekend with one of the Netherlands' biggest electronic, house and techno festivals. 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: Bicep, Artbat, Cincity, Young Marco, WhoMadeWho, Kobosil, Chris Stussy, I Hate Models.