The Best Electronic Dance Music Festivals in The Netherlands
The Netherlands are known for its top-notch electronic dance music festivals for as long as we can remember. Planning a packed festival summer in the country of cheese and windmills? We’re here to help and listed our personal favorites! Read on for our selection of the best electronic dance music festivals The Netherlands hosts in 2023.
Mysteryland
It’s the oldest in the country and still is one of the leading electronic dance music festivals in the world. The festival is hosted by the famous promoter ID&T and offers a variety of electronic genres such as techno, house, trance, dance, hardstyle, urban, big room, electro, dancehall, and electro. Wear comfortable shoes when visiting Mysteryland. Not for dancing only, but also to walk the massive festival grounds. But don’t be afraid to get bored as you can experience the colorful decorations, surprising entertainment, and cozy game-, chill- and food corners as you walk towards your favorite set of the day.
When: August 25 - August 27, 2023
Where: Floriade, Haarlemmermeer (near Amsterdam)
Website: https://www.mysteryland.nl/
Defqon.1
‘The motherland of hardstyle’; that’s how Q-Dance, the organisation behind the festival describes the mighty Defqon.1. From euphoric hardstyle sounds of artists like Brennan Heart to the sneering kicks of legends like Radical Redemption and Angerfirst. Anyone that prefers the harder styles of dance music can get their fix at Defqon.1. But there’s more to it. Q-Dance is famous for its epic firework end shows and unique, massive stage designs. So even if you prefer the BPMs to be a little lower, we can still recommend experiencing the ultimate festival magic of Defqon.1.
When: June 22 - June 25, 2023
Where: Walibi World, Biddinghuizen
Website: https://www.q-dance.com/l/defqon1-2023
DGTL
Art meets techno meets sustainability. DGTL might be one of the most contemporary festivals out there. In the heart of dance music, Amsterdam, the festival invites the most renowned artists and freshest talents in house and techno music. It also proves as it serves only vegan foods, has an extensive green waste management program, and was one of the first to stop the use of plastic cups and tokens.
When: April 7 - April 9, 2023
Where: NDSM Wharf, Amsterdam
Website: https://dgtl.nl/
Awakenings
Perhaps the most famous techno entity out there is called Awakenings. Their indoor events in the Gashouder venue have become nothing less than legendary. In 2022, their outdoor summer festival moved to the beautiful Hilvarenbeek. This year, the second edition is scheduled to host over 130 renowned artists and upcoming talent. A go-to for all techno lovers out there.
When: July 7 - July 9, 2023
Where: Beekse Bergen, Hilvarenbeek (near Tilburg)
Website: https://www.awakenings.com/en/
Free Your Mind
It’s one of the first and longest-running techno festivals of The Netherlands, but less famous than Awakenings. We do think Free Your Mind should be added to this list. Every year, the biggest names in techno music, such as Charlotte de Witte, Paul Kalkbrenner and Reinier Zonneveld travel to the historical festival grounds in Arnhem to make tens of thousands of people dance to the most legendary tracks.
