📍 Beekse Bergen · Hilvarenbeek, Netherlands
The 2026 edition of Awakenings Festival, on 10 to 12 July at Beekse Bergen, Hilvarenbeek, near Tilburg: three days of techno across eight areas, with a lakeside campsite and afterparties until 5 am. Sold out more than a month in advance, it drew 119,000 visitors from more than 115 countries according to the organisers; Charlotte de Witte closed the main stage on Sunday.
Awakenings Festival took place from Friday 10 to Sunday 12 July 2026 at Beekse Bergen, Hilvarenbeek, Netherlands, across 3 days. 24 names are on the bill, led by Amelie Lens. It is one of 76 Techno and Hard Techno dates we list in the Netherlands over the coming months.
Three days of techno by a lake and under the pines of Brabant: since 2022, Awakenings, born in 1997 in Amsterdam's Gashouder, has held its summer festival and campsite at Beekse Bergen, near Tilburg.
It all began on 30 March 1997 in the Gashouder at the Westergasfabriek in Amsterdam, with Angelo, Billy Nasty, Derrick May, Dimitri, Godard and Nick Rapaccioli on the decks. The party fell at Easter, hence the name, chosen by organiser Rocco Veenboer with the resurrection in mind; behind it was the company Monumental Productions. The first open-air festival followed on 25 and 26 August 2001 at the Houtrak in Spaarnwoude, between Amsterdam and Haarlem, on three stages, with Adam Beyer, Surgeon, Speedy J, Chris Liebing and DJ Rush among others.
The festival stayed at Spaarnwoude for nineteen editions. The tenth anniversary, on 26 June 2010, sold out and also marked the hundredth Awakenings event, with Jeff Mills, Laurent Garnier and Richie Hawtin; in 2017 the organisers reported 80,000 visitors a year on the site. After the June 2019 edition, the pandemic turned 2020 into an online weekend, and the edition planned for September 2021 was refused a permit. The festival returned on 29 to 31 July 2022 in Hilvarenbeek, over three days, with a campsite, nine areas and 131 acts.
Awakenings does not build its editions around a theme: each stage carries a letter, from Area V, the main one, to Area N at the campsite, and it is the programming that sets them apart. Bought by SFX in 2015, the brand has belonged to the Superstruct group since 2021, with the original team still in charge according to its own statement. The site runs a zero-tolerance drug policy, has served an all-vegetarian menu since 2022 and puts a deposit on cups, cans and bottles. The weather has had the last word before: on Sunday 9 July 2023, under an orange warning for thunderstorms and hail, the final day was cancelled that morning and some 20,000 campers went home.
In 2026 the edition of 10 to 12 July sold out more than a month in advance; Mixmag, quoting the organisers, reported a record 119,000 visitors from more than 115 countries. The municipality of Hilvarenbeek allowed 45,000 people a day and 16,000 campers. The brand also runs Awakenings Upclose, now at the Houtrak in Spaarnwoude, and its Amsterdam Dance Event nights, but the July gathering remains its biggest format. The 2027 edition, on 9 to 11 July, will celebrate 30 years of Awakenings.
The main stage, in the open air, with a deck and lounge reserved for premium ticket holders. In 2026 Richie Hawtin then Charlotte de Witte closed the festival there on Sunday night, and the municipal permit provided for fireworks at the final show.
Part of the festival happens under the Beekse Bergen trees. In 2025 a review described Area A as a hidden rave in the woods, with mirrors and towers of light; in 2026 Adrián Mills, Cloudy and Anetha played there.
Several areas are halls or covered structures. In 2026 the programme was spread like this: club techno at Area X (Ben Klock, Len Faki, Speedy J), hard techno at Area Y (Azyr, DYEN, Nico Moreno), house at Area B (Cloonee, Mau P, Marco Carola) and melodic techno at Area C.
The festival occupies a leisure estate in Hilvarenbeek, between woods and a lake, whose cottages and safari tents add to the campsite. It has several entrances, north and south, and a swing ride that looks straight down on the main stage.
Open from Friday noon to Monday morning and included in the weekend ticket, it offers a Grand Camping, a Comfort Camping with pool, sauna and ice bath, and in 2027 a quieter Low Stimulus Camping. After the festival closes, Area N keeps it dancing until 5 am.
The campsite borders the Beekse Bergen lake and its beaches. Swimming is allowed only in the areas and at the times set by the organisers.
Awakenings programmes the whole of techno, and each area covers one side of it. In 2026: the main stage for the headliners, Area X for Berlin and Dutch techno, Area Y for hard techno, Area C for melodic techno (Stephan Bodzin live, Pan-Pot), Area B for house, Area H for more left-field techno, and Area S - Ubuntu for South African Afro house, with Shimza.
The programme mixes names that have shaped the scene since 2001, Adam Beyer, Speedy J, DJ Rush, with those carrying it today. In 2026 Amelie Lens closed Friday, Adam Beyer Saturday and Charlotte de Witte Sunday, and the edition brought together pairings made for the occasion, including Joris Voorn & Kevin de Vries and DJ Gigola & Funk Tribu. The 2027 artists have not been announced.
Train to Tilburg, then the official shuttle (20 minutes, €9.25 return in pre-sale in 2026) or a bike (30 minutes). Buses from more than 60 Dutch towns, coaches from Schiphol and, through the official shop, from Antwerp, Cologne and Paris. Paid parking, Kiss & Ride and Uber only at the designated spot; the organisers advise against taxis.
The camping ticket includes all three festival days. Pitch your own tent, take a pre-set tent, book a Friend Field for a group, or stay in the park's cottages and safari tents. No campervans, no gazebos, no stoves; 4.5 litres of drinks per person, of which at most 1 litre of alcohol, nothing over 15%, no glass.
Day tickets, three-day passes without camping, camping tickets and premium versions. Prices rise in tiers (Loyalty, Early Bird, Regular, Final). E-tickets are sent shortly before the festival, and the only authorised resale is through TicketSwap.
18, with a valid government ID. No re-entry, and no entry in the last two hours.
Food and drinks are paid with tokens, bought with cash or card. A recycle token is handed out at the entrance, and every cup, can or bottle returned is worth one.
Zero tolerance on drugs, cannabis and nitrous oxide included, with searches and metal detectors at the entrance. Bags and jackets go in a locker; no outside food or drink on the grounds, no selfie sticks, large flags or sports club shirts.
At Beekse Bergen in Hilvarenbeek, near Tilburg in North Brabant, since 2022. From 2001 to 2019 the festival was held at the Houtrak in Spaarnwoude, between Amsterdam and Haarlem, now home to Awakenings Upclose.
From Friday 9 to Sunday 11 July 2027, marking 30 years of Awakenings. The 2026 edition ran from 10 to 12 July.
As of 16 October 2026, the cheapest ticket on sale is Friday at €64.95; Saturday is €96.95, Sunday €79.95, the three-day pass without camping €229.95 and the weekend with Grand Camping €244.95. Prices rise in tiers.
The easiest way is the train to Tilburg, then the official shuttle (20 minutes) or a bike (30 minutes). Buses also run from Schiphol and, via the official shop, from Antwerp, Cologne and Paris.
Yes, the campsite is on site from Friday noon to Monday morning, and a camping ticket includes all three festival days and the campsite afterparties until 5 am. Three options: Grand Camping, Comfort Camping and, new for 2027, a quieter Low Stimulus Camping.
18, with a valid government ID. There is no re-entry, and no entry in the last two hours.
In 2026, 119,000 visitors from more than 115 countries according to Mixmag, with the edition sold out over a month in advance. The municipality allowed 45,000 visitors a day and 16,000 campers.
With tokens, bought with cash or card at the token stations. Cups, cans and bottles carry a deposit, and all food is vegetarian.
