Holland loves festivals and the festival season kicks off in May and ends in September. The three best
known festivals are Pinkpop (mainstream rock), Lowlands and Dancevalley. The Lowlands festival is not
just a festival but more an experience. There are loads of good bands to see, as well as movies, theatre and
visual arts. Wander around, expect nothing and experience it all.
Dancevalley is Holland's best dance festival.
It always takes place near Amsterdam. So dance along with the Dutch who gather from all over Holland to
dressup, show off and dance their ass off till the sun comes up again. This is the Woodstock festival of our
generation.Beats instead of guitars this time but westill want peace, love and happiness. On this page we will give you some recommendations and general info for you to pick out the festivals which suit you best.
LOWLANDS
This is not just a festival but more of an
all-round experience! There are loads of
great, live performances varying from big
names to promising newcomers. Different
movies are shown, theatre sketches are
performed and visual arts are presented.
Wander around and experience it all! The
festival goes on for 3 days and you can
camp at the adjoining campsite. For daily
programmes and tickets check the
www.lowlands.nl site.
DANCE VALLEY
This is Holland's best dance festivity. Its
location is always close to Amsterdam.
So dance among the crazy, dressed up
Dutch gathered from all over Holland to
be there. Everyone parties until the early
morning hours. Todays Woodstock festival
means no guitars or 'cumbaya my lord'
but great beats with hot moves for peace,
love and happiness!
PHOTO FESTIVAL
Amsterdam is the starting point of the
Worldpress photo exhibition of 2004. You
can check out the impressive images in
the old church on the Oudekerksplein.
While there, don't forget to take a look
around the church. It's very old and completely
built out of wood.
VONDELPARK OPENAIR
Every summer the Vondel Openair theatre
offers a long varied programme of theatre,
jazz, classical & pop music and stand-up
comedy. You can also participate in singing
and dancing lessons which are organized
on a regular basis. There's something for
everyone! For a weekly programme you
can either look at the www.openluchttheater.nl site or check the posters at the
entrances of the Vondelpark.
THE PARADE
One of the most friendly and bubbliest
festivals in Holland is the Parade. It's a
theatre festival but is also known for its
delicious sangria and carousel. You can
take a Parade boat from the Waterlooplein
and stroll around all night, drink
sangria, dance in the silent disco with
headphones on (it looks really funny for
the people around not hearing the music
you're dancing on) and see different live
bands.
OEROL FESTIVAL
A similar sort of festival is held on one of
Holland's most beautiful islands: Terschelling.
For two whole weeks of the
year the entire island is transformed into
one big artistic arena for the Oerol festival.
Rent a bike and cycle from east to
west while passing different theatres,
strange arts and listen to music. Camp out
among the Dutchies and join them for a
beer in one of the typical brown cafés on
the island.
ROOTS FESTIVAL
This is my own personal favourite! It's
located at the Oosterpark on the east side
of Amsterdam. It's a festival with music
from all over the world, like from Suriname
and the Antilles but also from Turkey
and Morocco or from different African
countries like Ethiopia and Ghana. All the
live music is performed on different stages
around the park and there are worldly
dishes to tickle your senses. It's not a
trendy, hip event but a great cultural festival.
It gives you a good view on what the
Dutch population looks like these days.
Dance together with small kids, students
and 'old' people and you're guaranteed of
a good vibe. People of all colours and cultures
gather to share their food and music
traditions. All of which offers an energetic,
lively mix. Go and check it out, the
entrance is free!
KWAKOE FESTIVAL
Another multi-cultural festival is Kwakoe
Festival in the Bijlmer area. The Bijlmer is
a part of Amsterdam where many families
live that originate from Africa, Suriname
(former Dutch colony) and the Dutch
Antilles. This festival brings you five full weeks of music, food and dancing. The
weekends are the best time to go for a visit.
These are just some of the festivals that
Holland has to offer this summer. So much
to see, lots of parties to go to! See you in
Amsterdam? We'll try to keep a good spot
for you in the Park. I'll bring the blanket, do
you bring the wine? Who's bringing the
guitar again....
