The Netherlands is a global hotspot for music festivals, offering an unparalleled combination of world-class DJs, impeccable stage production, and a vibrant party atmosphere. Known for their meticulous organization and electric energy, Dutch festivals attract fans of all genres, especially electronic music.
From intimate beachside gatherings to massive three-day spectacles, the Netherlands festival scene caters to every taste and guarantees a summer filled with incredible music and lively international crowds.
Whether you’re a techno enthusiast, a pop fan, or simply looking for a unique camping festival, there’s a perfect event waiting for you in the Netherlands. With multiple festivals happening each weekend during the summer, the options are endless. This guide highlights 20 must-visit festivals that belong on every music lover’s bucket list, showcasing the diversity and magic of the Dutch festival circuit. Get ready to discover everything from hidden gems in Amsterdam to sprawling open-air events that deliver unforgettable musical journeys.
1) Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE)
My personal favorite Amsterdam Music Festival!
When: October 15-19, 2025
Where: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
http://www.amsterdam-dance-event.nl/
“The Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) is the leading conference and festival for the whole spectrum of electronic sub-genres, with more than 1000 events spread out over almost 200 venues. ADE’s multiple conference tracks offer the ultimate business and inspiration platform in the field of electronic music, featuring dedicated programming for business professionals, start-ups, aspiring producers and musicians, students, VJs, visual artists and stage designers.
ADE’s festival program covers the whole spectrum of electronic subgenres, with over 2,500 artists performing in 140 of Amsterdam’s finest music and nightlife spaces.”
2) A State of Trance Festival
Where: Rotterdam, Netherlands
When: February 22-23, 2025
https://festival.astateoftrance.com/
A State of Trance (ASOT) Festival 2025 will return to Ahoy Rotterdam for an epic two-day event on February 21-22, 2025. Hosted by Armin van Buuren, this year’s festival expands through a partnership with Insomniac Europe, promising a larger lineup, more stages, and an immersive experience. Notably, Armin will perform a special five-hour set on the opening night. Saturday will feature over 25 DJs across multiple stages, celebrating the best of trance music.
The festival also includes exclusive perks like the ASOT Hotel, offering fans premium access and luxurious accommodations through a collaboration with Hilton
3) Awakenings Festival
Credit: Tim Buiting
When: July 13-15, 2025
Where: Spaarnwoude, Netherlands
https://www.awakeningsfestival.nl/en/
“Awakenings Festival is a massive techno festival just outside of Amsterdam, in Spaarnwoude Houtrak. An institution, the festival features a lineup of the biggest and brightest from the genre. Hosting events throughout the year in the Dutch capital’s legendary Gashouder, Awakenings is one of the biggest names in electronic music. Their annual pilgrimage outside to the scenic forest setting of their Spaarnwoude home is the techno festival of the year in the Netherlands.”
Since growing such a globally known name, they’ve expanded to more than just a one-off summer music festival. In 2025, they’ve announced a Winter and Summer event! Check their website for tickets and details!
4) Mysteryland Festival
Where: Haarlemmermeer, Netherlands
When: August 22-24, 2025
https://www.facebook.com/Mysteryland
“We are a colorful collaboration of visitors, artists, DJs, and creatives. Together we are Mysteryland; the leading electronic music festival in The Netherlands. Year after year, we reunite to celebrate our friendship and love for music. In between sparkling ponds, rivers, and forestry hills of the Floriade terrain near Amsterdam, we welcome more than 100.000 fellow festival friends from over 100 nationalities.”
Its reputation precedes itself, ask anyone about Mysteryland, and they would tell you how great their experience was.
5) Don’t Let Daddy Know Amsterdam
Where: Amsterdam, Netherlands
When: March 2, 2024
What started out as a fun night in Ibiza in 2012, has evolved into a banging event proven to be an Amsterdam festival favorite. Join them as they return to the city.
“We’re taking you on a rollercoaster ride to a higher atmosphere of an unusual style of entertainment and fulfilling every individual desire by creating an exceptional reminiscence of music. Don’t Let Daddy Know strives to attract the top-of-the-line fashionable people who go for more than just the average.”
6) Mystic Garden Festival
Where: Amsterdam, Netherlands
When: June 14, 2025
https://mysticgardenfestival.nl/
https://www.facebook.com/MysticGardenFestival/
Do you hear the Garden calling?
Welcome to the Mystic Garden’s 12th anniversary! It is set in an environment where people dress up as their favorite fairytale character and the music sets the tone. The Mystic Garden Festival is sure to have you mystified.”
7) Amsterdam Open Air
Where: Amsterdam, Netherlands
When: June 7-8, 2025
https://www.amsterdamopenair.nl/
https://www.facebook.com/AmsterdamOpenAir/
“Every year, in the first weekend of June, a collaboration of friends takes place in Amsterdam’s Gaasperpark. A selection of Amsterdam’s hottest promoters join-up to create a fashion forward festival that reflects the nightlife and art culture in our capital city, being a platform for local talent. Along with a culinary festival kitchen and creative collectives, we welcome our visitors to experience a weekend full of creativity, friendship and musical expression at Amsterdam Open Air.”
Community is the basis of this festival. If you’re looking for culture, unity, tons of fun activities, and of course, great music, this festival delivers. Be sure to register for your tickets through their website and prepare for some environmentally conscious fun while jamming to the top tunes.
8) Best Kept Secret Festival
Where: Hilvarenbeek, Netherlands
When: June 13-15, 2025
https://www.bestkeptsecret.nl/
Best Kept Secret is a three-day discovery of where music can take us. An ear-pleasing mouth-watering heart-warming journey through sounds, shows, flavours, hugs and awes. The best of the known and unknown in music, food and culture, to be discovered and celebrated together, surrounded by beautiful nature and likeminded souls.
“We love to experience and explore how music enriches our lives. From sounds to art to food to friendships to all kinds of expressions, we bring them in one place to create synergies and magical moments, large and small. Best Kept Secret is a three-day discovery of where music can take us. An ear-pleasing mouth-watering heart-warming journey through sounds, shows, flavors, hugs, and awes.”
9) Pinkpop Festival
Credit: Pinkpop Festival
Where: Landgraaf, Netherlands
When: June 20-22, 2025
https://www.facebook.com/PinkpopFestival
Pinkpop Festival, the Netherlands’ longest-running open-air music event, bursts into life every June in the scenic Limburg town of Landgraaf. Known for its vibrant atmosphere and eclectic lineup, Pinkpop showcases rock, pop, and indie legends alongside emerging talents.
Picture thousands of fans dancing under sunny skies, camping out in festive spirit, and enjoying everything from iconic headliners to thrilling new acts. Beyond the music, you’ll find tasty food stalls, art installations, and plenty of room to chill on lush green fields. It’s a weekend of pure joy, camaraderie, and unforgettable live music vibes—perfect for festival lovers of all ages!
10) Luminosity Beach Festival
Luminosity Beach Festival 2025 Line Up
Where: Zandvoort, Netherlands
When: June 27-30, 2024
https://luminosity-events.nl/cevent/luminosity-beach-festival-2025/
Every year Luminosity Events welcomes thousands of trance lovers from all around the globe for the annual Luminosity Beach Festival. Since its humble beginnings in 2007, Luminosity Events has set itself on the map as a pure trance and exotic getaway for music lovers in the region and those adventurous enough to look further than the standard large-scale festivals in Europe.
Offering an intimate beachfront setting where fans can connect with top DJs and enjoy euphoric sets under the sun — the festival’s laid-back atmosphere, stunning coastal views, and passionate community make it a truly immersive experience for anyone seeking unforgettable music and good vibes.
11) Down the Rabbit Hole
Where: Beuningen, Netherlands
When: July 4-6, 2025
https://www.facebook.com/DTRHfestival/
“We’re going to take a three day tumble in De Groene Heuvels (The Green Hills) park, hidden in the rolling land between the Maas and Waal rivers for Down The Rabbit Hole!
Down The Rabbit Hole says adventure, confusion, surrealism and psychedelics, which has been an inspiration for (psycho) rockers, DJs, artists, designers and filmmakers ever since the rise of the pop culture in the uncurbed 1960s… Good company, so get ready to tumble. And we will go down collectively, so be prepared. A frontrunner line-up on the stages and equal measures of thrill in and around those tents.
A trip to Down The Rabbit Hole is a perfect summer getaway! Bring your own camping gear or rent luxurious accommodations at our Rabbit Resort.
12) Milkshake Festival Amsterdam
Where: Westergas, Amsterdam, Netherlands
When: July 26-27, 2025
https://www.milkshakefestival.com/
https://www.facebook.com/milkshakefestival/
“Welcome to the wonderful world of Milkshake, where love is the main ingredient.”
Standing on the throes of liberation, culture, enrichment, diversity, self-expression, and creativity, you’ll find that the Milkshake Festival is by far the most colorful one on this list. You can expect multiple genres, tons of activities, and exhilarating things to explore. This festival doesn’t fit in a box and is best suited to those who live outside of one too.
Centered on their themes of freedom of expression and inclusivity, the festival welcomes everyone, no matter your color, gender, or sexual orientation. Black, white, large, thin, thick, gay, straight, trans, cis, they aim to celebrate what makes the world great through the diversity of its citizens.
13) Dekmantel Festival
Credit: Dekmantel Festival
When: August 2025
Where: Amsterdam, Netherlands
https://www.dekmantelfestival.com
https://www.facebook.com/dkmntl
Dekmantel Festival is a cutting-edge electronic music event nestled in the lush Amsterdamse Bos, where music lovers and adventurous souls gather for a weekend of sonic exploration. Known for its boundary-pushing lineup and immersive audiovisual experiences, the festival blends underground beats with an intimate, forested setting.
Expect world-class DJs, surprise sets, and an eclectic crowd grooving to everything from ambient to techno. With its relaxed vibe and focus on artistic expression, Dekmantel feels less like a typical festival and more like a celebration of music’s most innovative sounds. It’s where creativity thrives, and unforgettable memories are made.
14) Loveland Festival
Credit: Loveland Festival
Where: Sloterpark, Amsterdam
When: August 9-10, 2025
https://www.facebook.com/lovelandevents
“Loveland turns 27, and it will be a celebration that you will never, ever forget. The beautiful Sloterpark, a line-up of the best house & techno acts, interactive entertainment and many, many surprises.”
The Loveland Festival is a testament to the capability of authentic Dutch Festivals. At the heart of Amsterdam, after 25 years of banging concerts, they return once more. Be sure to book your accommodation at the Loveland Hotel, overlooking the park, for quick access to the festival grounds.
The main driving force is the endless love for music and creating unforgettable experiences
15) Lowlands Festival
Where: Biddinghuizen, Netherlands
When: August 2025
https://www.facebook.com/LowlandsFest
“If the devil is in the details, Lowlands was a demon’s paradise.” – CONSEQUENCE OF SOUND
:For three days in August, a township with 65,000 inhabitants arises in the middle of the country. The Lowlands festival hosts no less than twelve stages in three large areas (among which a cinema and theatre), about 250 different acts and performances, dozens of restaurants from all corners of the earth, food and drink stalls, a large market with everything from clothes and CD stores to a barber’s shop, sports facilities, a sauna / hottub area, its own currency, a local radio station, a daily newspaper (Dutch only) and, last but not least: seven luxury campsites with hot showers and real, flushable toilets.”
16) Music On Festival
When: May 10-12, 2025
Where: Havenpark, Amsterdam
https://www.facebook.com/musiconfestival/
Expect great music and top-notch vibes in one Amsterdam’s coolest festival venues!
17) DGTL Amsterdam
One of the best Amsterdam Techno Festival adventures!
When: April 18-20, 2025
Where: NDSM Docklands, Amsterdam
https://www.facebook.com/dgtlfestival
“DGTL Amsterdam is a zeitgeist-chasing electronic music festival in the Dutch capital that has been putting together cutting edge lineups since 2013.
A global brand with festivals around the world, DGTL’s Amsterdam edition is unquestionably it’s flagship party and gives a platform to influential legends and up-and-comers alike. Taking place over Easter weekend, the festival has made a home in the industrial NDSM Docklands, a multi-purpose cultural hub for the city.”
18) Free Your Mind Festival
Where: Arnhem & Groningen (Two Festivals)
When: June 7-8, 2025 & July 26, 2025
https://www.freeyourmindfestival.nl
https://www.facebook.com/freeyourmindfestival
“Free Your Mind Festival is one of the longest running techno festivals in the Netherlands and was founded in 2004. The festival, which annually takes place at the beginning of June, consists of two days and has been located on historic grounds at the Stadsblokken in Arnhem since the very first edition. Stadsblokken holds historical significance due to the Battle of Arnhem in the Second World War which was fought on the site where thousands of visitors now visit the Free Your Mind Festival every year.
Free Your Mind represents a smooth blend of House, Techno and subgenres or crossovers. Since 2004, the biggest names in the electronic music industry have been roped in to play at Free Your Mind Festival”
19) Diynamic Festival
Where: Sloterpark, Amsterdam, Netherlands
When: June 2025 (TBC)
https://www.facebook.com/
“Once again the lush, grassy meadows of Amsterdamse Bos is where it all goes down. The picturesque forest already feels like a home away from home and we can’t wait to add some more unforgettable”.
Organized by Solomun’s renowned Diynamic Music label, the festival showcases a lineup of house, deep house, and techno artists, blending well-known DJs with emerging talents. Known for its vibrant atmosphere and immersive sets, the event is a favorite for fans seeking a high-energy yet intimate experience in a lush, open-air setting
20) North Sea Jazz Festival
Credit: North Sea Jazz Festival Media Team
Where: Rotterdam, NL
When: July 11-13, 2025
https://www.northseajazz.com/en/
The North Sea Jazz Festival is an annual music festival held in Rotterdam. It is one of the largest indoor music festivals in the world, known for its focus on a wide range of jazz and related musical genres. The festival typically features a diverse lineup that includes not only jazz but also blues, funk, soul, R&B, and various crossover genres.
The North Sea Jazz Festival has gained a reputation for its eclectic programming and the ability to showcase the evolution and diversity of jazz and related genres. It has become a popular destination for music enthusiasts and artists alike, drawing attendees from around the world.
For More European Music Festivals…
Now that you know more about the best festivals, be sure to get all the music festival packing essentials ready to go, dust off your best festival shoes, and prepare yourself for a rager. The Netherlands has around 600 different music festivals each year, so you can imagine how difficult it is to cut those down to a select few.
If you think I’m missing anything, please let me know. But, if that festival isn’t here, I’m sure it will appear in one of my other posts on my blog.
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Isn’t the Early Music Festival in Utrecht in August being held this year (2023)?
Find it strange that Defqon.1 isn not not the list. But anyway, its a great list, a lot of good tips in here.