What to do and see in The Netherlands, The Netherlands: The Best Music Festivals

The Awakenings festival is a two-day Techno music festival in the Netherlands, and is the highlight of the Dutch Techno scene, if not all of Europe! The festival takes place at the end of June, just west of Amsterdam, in Spaarnwoude, between Amsterdam and Haarlem. There are over 90 acts, performing in eight stages and tents at the festival location.

Paaspop is the first music festival of the Netherlands’ festival season, held each year in Schijndel in conjunction with the Easter holiday. There are 12 stages, and more than 175 acts over the three-day weekend, featuring a wide variety of musical and theatrical genres. Paaspop is also well known for its decorations and other side attractions. Visitors who attend more than one day of the festival often choose one of the eclectic campsite options on the festival grounds.

The Lowlands Festivals takes place in August in Biddinghuizen, The Netherlands, about an hour from Amsterdam. There are over 250 acts over the three day festival, on 12 separate stages in three areas, featuring music, film, stand-up comedy, theatre, and visual arts. Camping is available and included with your admission price, though camper and glamping add-on options are also available.

Mysteryland is an electronic music festival that takes place at the end of August in Haarlemmermeer, the Netherlands. Mysteryland offers visitors a wide mix of electronic music styles, ranging from house and techno to hip-hop, disco, and dubstep. The two-day event is known for its creativity, with attendees encouraged to dress in their most creative costumes, and enjoy the decorations of the festival stages. Mysteryland also remains one of the greenest festivals in the world, striving for sustainability in every detail. Camping is available right next to the festival grounds for those who plan to attend all weekend.

Since 1976, the North Sea Jazz Festival has been one of the most respected and anticipated musical events of the year. Taking place in the port of Rotterdam, the festival features more than a thousand musicians as part of 150-plus acts on 13 stages. The festival takes place each year over the second weekend of July, and attracts between 65,000 and 75,000 visitors over the three days.

The annual Zwarte Cross festival, in Lievelde, Netherlands during July, is one of the biggest ticketed festivals in the Netherlands. Each year, almost 200,000 visitors attend this festival featuring music as well as motocross, stunts, theatre, and camping. The Zwarte Cross festival is the largest motocross event in the world! The four-day event will feature more than 200 bands on 27 stages, spread over 137 hectares of festival grounds. There are theatrical acts featuring poetry, literature, dance, cabaret, and comedy, and motocross races including Superclass, heavy-weight, 85cc, mopeds, and more.