With sunrays starting to peep through the clouds, mercury rising and the holidays (almost) in sight, our dancing feet start to itch for the festival season. This year there’s no lack of abundance in the number of festivals in and around Amsterdam, so we decided to list some our favourites and most-anticipated. Baila Baila!
#10 Vrijland
Roest and Cartel Amsterdam are again joining hands on the 5th of May to organize one of the coziest parties of the year where we also celebrate our freedom (5 May is the official Liberation Day in the Netherlands). Vice’s Thump and Chicago Social Club‘s Backstage is joining in the fun too, all together creating a fresh line up that will keep a smile on your face throughout the day. Last year saw a range of quality artists, and this year will be no different. Hopefully the sun will also be as present like last year.
May 5
#09 Park Am See
There’s a newcomer amidst all the usual suspects this year, and it’s called Park Am See. The collaboration between Chasing the Hihat, Watergate Berlin and Deep House Amsterdam promised to bring a wide selection of housefreaks to the table, and so they did. This triangle of house music lovers has rounded up some of the hottest names around that will have you dancing non-stop. But there’s also room for a bit of swimming..
We will keep you guessing for a little while longer, but take in mind that it’s “all in the name”. An untouched strip of land will be turned into a spectacular site where everything you hear, see, touch, taste and smell will be genuinely and consciously built into an adventure that reminds you of to the child you once were. While the line up will excite the child you are still today.
May 24
#08 Open Air
After three great and sun-soaked editions, Amsterdam Open Air will again return this year at Gaasperpark. In the first week of June you can enjoy the diverse musical, culinary and cultural programming. Of course there’s also the possibility to stay the night over (or dance the night through) at the camp site. This year Open Air will take place during Pinksteren-weekend, so that means there’s no need to take it slow on Sunday evening.
Here’s a small impression of last year:
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June 7 + 8
#07 Lente Kabinet
On the 31st of May, Lente Kabinet will open the almost legendary ‘Het Twiske’ festival area in the North of Amsterdam. What will follow is a day full of the finest electronic music, arts and culture. The arts section for this year’s edition will be in collaboration with film museum ‘Eye’, ‘Foam’ photography museum and other well-respected institutes. So while your enjoying the music there are also options to learn a thing or two. You need to find out the complete line up for yourself, but here are just of few names to give you an idea: Dixon, Dusky, MCDE, Omar S, Theo Parrish, Tom Trago & …
May 31
#06 Awakenings
Maybe one of the longest standing and best-known festivals in the Netherlands, Awakenings, is returning this year to double the madness with a two-day edition. Awakenings has become a household name across the Netherlands as one of the highlights of the summer, because of it’s fun atmosphere and open attitude which can be seen in the diversity of its visitors each year. See who’s playing to get the full idea of the madness that will take place during these two days in June.
June 28 + 29
#05 Welcome to the Future
A well-respected name that has always delivered quality for over seven years now. This year another top-of-the-bill scala of artists has been put together to satisfy its diverse audience. Too many great moments have been consolidated here. Why do you think Paul Kalkbrenner used footage of his gig there for the opening shot of Berlin Calling? Last year was crazy as well, with Solomun breaking down the future stage with an epic set, with sitdowns and everything included. Then biking home through a summer lightning storm. A perfect ending.
July 26
#04 Straf_Werk
After last year’s success, Straf_Werk Festival is returning for another round in the festival big league. 2013 was full of great artists like Noir, H.O.S.H. and Audiojack. The food was also particularly well-organized, with equal attention to fatty snacks as to (tasty) healthy food. All we can say for now is that there will be four stages this year, and the festival will commence on the 23rd of August. Stay tuned..
23 August
#03 Buiten Westen
This year will be round three for Buiten Westen, who will again turn the Westerpark into a extraordinary place full of music, delicious food and fun attractions. The stages are handled by some seasoned organisations in the Amsterdam scene that know damn well how to throw a party. The line up this year is top grade, probably the best since its start. It varies across different genres but in such a way that each stage will tell a particular musical story through the day. Click to see what to expect!
July 19
#02 Dekmantel Festival
Not one, not two, but three days of the creme de la creme in the house and techno scene. Prepare for an army of DJs that will keep you on your feet all through the weekend. A few from the carefully selected line up of last year also made an appearance on Boiler Room’s livestream from the event, like Tom Trago, Traxx, Cinnaman or this guy:
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August 1 + 2 + 3
#01 DGTL
Maybe it’s because this festival is already right around the corner, or because we get warm and fuzzy inside when thinking of last year’s edition, or because we think that the people behind this event have given organising a successful festival new meaning, but DGTL is our number 1 in this list. This year returning with a two-day banger featuring all spectres of quality house to techno music, and above all: voicing the sound of the future. Just a few more weeks…
April 19 + 20
For more events and party tips check out our Party Agenda
