Event Details
Welcome to Dekmantel Festival 2026 in Amsterdam
From 29 July to 2 August 2026, Amsterdam becomes Europe's capital for techno, house and experimental electronic music. Dekmantel Festival celebrates its twelfth edition across five days: the opening concert takes place on Wednesday at the historic Oude Kerk, followed by the new Into the City programme on Thursday at Melkweg and Paradiso, before the main weekend unfolds from Friday to Sunday at the sprawling Amsterdamse Bos forest park.
Highlights
- Five days of programming across the city and the forest, run by one of Europe's most respected independent festivals
- Opening concert at Oude Kerk featuring UK ambient duo Space Afrika
- New "Dekmantel at Dawn" programme: three extra morning hours (11:00 AM to 2:00 PM) exclusive to weekend ticket holders on the RADAR terrain
- Live opening ceremony by James Holden & Surgeon at Amsterdamse Bos
- Return of Underground Resistance with vocalist Saul Williams, plus sets from Ricardo Villalobos and LSD Live (Luke Slater, Steve Bicknell, Function)
- Over 160 confirmed artists across multiple stages, including Jeff Mills, Helena Hauff, DJ Sprinkles, Marcel Dettmann, DARKSIDE and Skrillex
- On-site festival campsite at EuroParcs Amsterdamse Bos
Program
The festival opens on Wednesday, 29 July, with the traditional opening concert at Oude Kerk. Thursday, 30 July, introduces the new Dekmantel Into the City programme with live performances at Amsterdam clubs Melkweg and Paradiso, featuring DARKSIDE, Headache, Juan Atkins and Speedy J's STOOR Live project. The main forest weekend runs from Friday, 31 July, through Sunday, 2 August, at Amsterdamse Bos. New for 2026, "Dekmantel at Dawn" opens the Selectors, Greenhouse and RADAR stages from 11:00 AM exclusively for weekend ticket holders on all three days, while single-day ticket holders gain access from 2:00 PM. Music continues late into the night.
Tickets
Weekend tickets (3-day, 4-day and 5-day passes) along with camping and accommodation options are already available through the official ticket shop. Single-day tickets for Friday, Saturday and Sunday go on sale separately, starting 22 January for pre-registered guests and 23 January for the general public, subject to availability. Only the 5-day wristband grants access to the Oude Kerk opening concert, and only the 4-day and 5-day wristbands include Thursday access to both Melkweg and Paradiso. Tickets are sold exclusively through the official website; the organiser explicitly warns against third-party vendors and resale platforms.
Travel & Practical Info
- Minimum age is 18; ID may be checked at entry.
- Cycling is the recommended way to reach the site: roughly 45 minutes from Amsterdam Centraal, about 20 minutes from Amsterdam Zuid.
- Shuttle buses run between Amstel Station (platform A1) and the festival site; return tickets cost €14.50 online.
- By public transport: take a bus from Schiphol Airport (line 199) directly to the festival grounds.
- Driving is discouraged due to expected congestion; parking costs €20 per day or €40 for the weekend.
- On-site camping is available at EuroParcs Amsterdamse Bos, about a 15-minute walk away, with options ranging from your own tent to deluxe tents, comfort cabins and mobile homes.
