Festival & concert line-up 2016 in Amsterdam

Your Short Guide 2016 of the City of Music and Dance – Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a marvelous city that always has something special to offer to everybody, engaging different crowds and meeting high expectations. It is one of the best destinations in Europe when it comes to diverse dance events, music festivals, concerts and gigs with so much variety and choice. While there is no way to attend all numerous festivals in Amsterdam, we are glad to highlight a few of them worth attending during the first half of the year 2016 with an extra attention to Awakenings.

For Electronic Music Lovers

Amsterdam electronic music festivals are full of world-famous DJs, memorable shows and loyal fans that come from all the corners to dance, enjoy the music, party and have fun. In 2016 you can become one of them by attending one or all of the following festivals:

-5 DAYS OFF: In addition to electronic music, you will be able to admire art and media art at the hippest venues- Paradiso, Melkweg and De Balie on 4th-8th of March. This indoor festival associates with big names such as Daft Punk, Dizzee Rascal and Jeff Mills.

-DGTL FESTIVAL: This more underground version of electronic festival will take place at industrial NDSM Wharf on the 26th-27th of March with a great already revealed line-up. George FitzGerald, Gold Panda, Kink (live), Bonobo (DJ), Nina Kraviz, Tom Trago, Optimo, Woo York (live) and many more will make a spectacular show happen, while Ellum will even have its own stage.

-PARK AM SEE: The fans of house will be delighted with this event at De Oeverlanden on the 21st of May. Previous line-up was huge with such names as San Soda, Prins Thomas and Tiefschwarz.

-PACHA: It will be a difficult choice between Park Am See and Pacha, as they happen on the same day- 21st of May. Pacha is a great way to start the summer festivals season in Amsterdam with dancing the day away to the sound of dance music and deep house and shopping at a fun hippie market.

-AMSTERDAM OPEN AIR: Diverse dance floors of techno, tech-house, dubstep, electro and deep house will drift you into the city’s nightlife at Gaasperpark on 4th-5th of June. Camping is available too.

Easter Madness of Awakenings

Awakenings is one of the most famous and frequent Dutch music events throughout the Netherlands and now the UK and the USA too with their most unique venue in Amsterdam- The Gashouder. This former gas house serves as an amazing electronic (mainly techno) music festival location due to its circular pillarless interior and distinctive party vibe. And when the world-known headliners, powerful sound, massive amount of light effects and terrific laser shows get together under its iron roof construction, Awakenings at The Gashouder (just 10 minutes away from the hotel) becomes an unforgettable experience. Its Easter madness will last 4 days in 2016: from the 24th till 27th of March with the very special last night of Ben Klock & Marcel Dettmann. Other big headliners’ names include Adam Beyer, Ida Engberg, Carl Cox, And, Speedy J and Function live. You should hurry with tickets booking though, as Awakenings are often sold out fast.5th of May Specials

5th of May Specials

The 5th of May 2016 marks the Ascension Day in Amsterdam with a fascinating line-up of musical and theater artists. You have a chance to check out both major events that happen on that day- Hemeltjelief and Vrijland Festival, as they are located right next to each other- NDSM-plein and Roest. Hemeltjelief will be an ideal fit for families, as Amsterdam famous bands and DJs are complemented by a full programme of art events, crafts workshops and theater plays during the whole day. Vrijland Festival celebrates freedom with world-known house and techno artists.

In addition to all these and many more music and dance festivals and special events in Amsterdam, the city is also proud to host film and theater festivals, cultural and culinary festivals, children and sports events. You can learn more about them in our following blog posts. Continue reading our blog to discover dance and music festivals for the second half of 2016, which promises to be very versatile and for sure will fit everyone’s taste.

This post is also available in: Engels