Music Festivals in The Netherlands

For a country that is only one-third the size of Greece and one-sixth the size of the UK, The Netherlands sure packs a musical punch.

First off, the Dutch contingent of DJs is absolutely unparalleled. A look at any top, biggest, or best DJs in the world list will show this. Martin Garrix, Tiësto, Hardwell, Armin van Buuren, Afrojack, W&W, Noisia, Nicky Romero and so many more household names all hail from Holland. Even countries as central to the Western music canon as the USA and UK would have a hard time matching this.

Just why so many top DJs and producers are from the country is a topic for another time, but what it reveals without a doubt is the vaunted place music holds in Dutch culture. And where there’s a reverence for music there’s a booming music festival scene.

Netherlands festivals range from classic massive outdoor weekenders like Mysteryland, Awakenings, Into The Woods, Best Kept Secret, to intimate one day urban affairs in cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague. Spanish party brand Elrow Town host one of their flamboyant parties in Amsterdam. Looking for something to do in October? Then why not try HRFST Festival, which is a deep bass and house event taking place at Fort Vechten in Utrecht. In February check out A State of Trance Festival Utrecht, which grew out from Armin van Buuren's weekly radio show.

While there is much variety throughout the Dutch festival scene, one thing that is constant is the central place of electronic music.

If you’re looking for EDM, house, techno, hardstyles, or anything in between there is a Holland festival for you. Not sure if The Netherlands really is the home of electronic music? Look no further than Amsterdam Dance Event which is the electronic music event of the year, that takes over the Dutch capital every October featuring showcases, pop-ups, conferences, master classes, tech demos, and of course parties of all shapes and sizes. Founded by Marco Carola and his Music On label, the Music On Festival in Amsterdam serves up two days of banging techno beats.

If that’s still not enough to convince you, take a look at our picks for the Top 10 House and Techno Festivals in The Netherlands.

Want to go to a pop and rock music festival? Then head to Central Park Festival in Utrecht, which has seen performances from acts like Kaiser Chiefs and BLØF.