The best festivals in the Netherlands in 2025
From cultural celebrations to culinary highlights, the Netherlands offers a packed festival calendar every year. Whether you’re drawn to music, food, art, or large-scale national celebrations, there’s a festival to match every interest and atmosphere.
Below is a curated overview of standout events you won’t want to miss in 2025.
The Netherlands festivals: party like there’s no tomorrow
Dutch Carnival, multiple cities
Carnival (Carnaval) is one of the most exuberant celebrations in the Netherlands. Taking place over several days in February, it’s especially lively in the southern and eastern parts of the country.
Cities such as Breda, ’s-Hertogenbosch, Eindhoven, Maastricht, Nijmegen, and Tilburg fill with parades, costumes, music, and street parties. For a few days, everyday routines are replaced by color, humor, and celebration.
Dutch Carnival 2025: 28 February – 4 March (multiple cities)
King’s Day, multiple cities
Every year on 27 April, the Netherlands turns orange to celebrate King Willem-Alexander’s birthday. King’s Day is one of the country’s most iconic national events.
Across the country, you’ll find flea markets, outdoor concerts, family activities, and large-scale street parties. In Amsterdam, hundreds of thousands of people gather for canal-side celebrations, live music, and day-long festivities.
Many celebrations begin the evening before on Koningsnacht, making it one of the busiest party weekends of the year.
King’s Day 2025: 27 April (nationwide)
Liberation Day, multiple cities
Liberation Day marks the liberation of the Netherlands at the end of World War II and is observed every year on 5 May.
The day combines remembrance with celebration. Across the country, cities host parades, cultural events, and free music festivals known as bevrijdingsfestivals. These events highlight themes of freedom, democracy, and human rights.
Liberation Day 2025: 5 May (nationwide)
Amsterdam Pride, Amsterdam
Held each summer, Amsterdam Pride is one of the most visible and inclusive celebrations in the Netherlands. The event brings together more than a million visitors for a week of parades, cultural programs, and parties.
The highlight is the famous Canal Parade—unique in the world—where elaborately decorated boats travel through the city’s historic canals, celebrating diversity and LGBTQIA+ visibility.
Amsterdam Pride 2025: 26 July – 3 August
Festivals in the Netherlands where you can take in the culture
Oerol Festival, Terschelling
Oerol Festival is one of the country’s most distinctive cultural events. Each June, the island of Terschelling becomes an open-air stage for theater, music, storytelling, and visual art.
Performances take place in forests, dunes, beaches, and villages, creating a strong connection between nature and creativity.
Oerol Festival 2025: 13 – 22 June
NN North Sea Jazz, Rotterdam
Hosted in Rotterdam, NN North Sea Jazz is one of the world’s leading jazz festivals. With tens of thousands of visitors, it features international jazz legends alongside soul, funk, hip-hop, and R&B artists.
Despite higher ticket prices, the festival remains a major highlight on the global music calendar.
North Sea Jazz 2025: 11 – 13 July
Kwaku Summer Festival, Amsterdam
Held in Amsterdam Zuidoost, Kwaku Summer Festival celebrates Afro-Caribbean culture through music, food, sports, and community events.
The festival runs over several weekends and is especially popular with families. One of the highlights is Malukan Day, featuring performances, traditional dishes, and cultural showcases.
Kwaku 2025: 11 July – 3 August
Solar Weekend Festival, Roermond
Solar Weekend Festival blends music, art, performance, and playful creativity. Set in the Maasplassen near Roermond, it features live acts, DJs, interactive installations, and a large campsite for multi-day visitors.
Solar Weekend 2025: 31 July – 3 August
Dance the night (and day) away at these Dutch festivals
London Calling (Spring edition), Amsterdam
Hosted at Paradiso, London Calling focuses on emerging punk, indie, and alternative artists.
The spring edition delivers two days of high-energy performances in an intimate venue setting.
London Calling Spring 2025: 16 – 17 May
Paradigm, Groningen
Paradigm takes place in Groningen and combines electronic music with immersive art installations.
Known for its underground atmosphere, the festival emphasizes exploration, creativity, and non-commercial expression.
Paradigm 2025: 9 – 10 August
Paperclip Festival, Eersel
Set at E3 Beach in Eersel, Paperclip Festival is dedicated to hardcore and techno music.
With performances running from midday to midnight, it’s known for its intense energy and strong DJ line-ups.
Paperclip 2025: 23 August
Draaimolen, Tilburg
Surrounded by nature, Draaimolen Festival in Tilburg focuses on experimental electronic music, art installations, and a carefully curated atmosphere.
Draaimolen 2025: 5 – 6 September
Festivals in the Netherlands where foodies get their fill
Rolling Kitchens, Amsterdam
Each spring, Rolling Kitchens takes over the Westergas area in Amsterdam with dozens of food trucks offering global street food.
With free entry and live music, it’s a relaxed, family-friendly culinary event.
Rolling Kitchens 2025: 28 May – 1 June
Barrel Food Truck Fest, Emmen
Held in Emmen, Barrel Food Truck Fest brings together mobile kitchens serving both savory and sweet dishes, alongside music and community activities.
Barrel Food Truck Fest 2025: 6 – 9 May
Lepeltje Lepeltje, Utrecht
Lepeltje Lepeltje in Utrecht combines street food, live music, and a design market.
The festival also offers children’s activities, making it suitable for all ages.
Lepeltje Lepeltje Utrecht 2025: 28 – 30 June (TBC)
Keti Koti, Amsterdam
Keti Koti commemorates the abolition of slavery in former Dutch colonies. Observed on 1 July, it combines remembrance with celebration through music, art, and food.
Food stalls highlight Surinamese and Caribbean cuisine, making it both meaningful and vibrant.
Keti Koti 2025: 1 July
Useful resources
- Festivalfans – overview of music festivals
- 3voor12 – curated Dutch festival listings
- I amsterdam – events in and around Amsterdam