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The Netherlands🇳🇱 | festivalsLowlandsCampsite community, mixed stages, cabaret, Bravo tent | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Lowlands
🏆 Top pickfestival ranked #4
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 15, 2026

The first thing I did at the Biddinghuizen gates was fill my reusable cup at the free water point near the entrance, which saved me a long queue later when every bar line doubled. Lowlands sits on a polder site in Flevoland, near Biddinghuizen, about 50 minutes by train from Amsterdam plus a shuttle or walk. It runs three days in August, with a campsite that opens the day before. The pattern is consistent: a genre-wide lineup (indie, rock, hip-hop, electronic, plus theater, cabaret and a late-night Bascule tent), a mostly Dutch crowd in their twenties and thirties, and an easygoing, slightly eccentric mood. Costs catch people out. Tickets sell out months ahead, the festival uses a cashless wristband system with top-up fees, and trains home on Monday morning are packed. Buy early, load money in the app, and leave the camp early to avoid delays.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 The Netherlands Travel Guide.


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #4 festival in The NetherlandsThe unique appeal for travelers

Backpackers build a route around Lowlands because it is the Netherlands at its most unguarded. Around 60,000 visitors camp together for three days, and the campsite becomes a temporary village where neighbors trade snacks, borrow cooking gear and join impromptu parties. Because nearly everyone is Dutch, you meet locals in a way a city hostel rarely allows, and the English spoken is excellent, so nothing is lost in conversation.

The second pull is the program. Lowlands mixes music with theater, comedy, talks and film, so a rainy afternoon is never wasted. The late-night Bijenkorf and Bravo-style tent culture keeps stages running until the early hours, and you can wander between acts you have never heard of. Fit it into a longer trip by pairing it with Amsterdam, Utrecht or a cycling stretch … read more 👉
Backpackers build a route around Lowlands because it is the Netherlands at its most unguarded. Around 60,000 visitors camp together for three days, and the campsite becomes a temporary village where neighbors trade snacks, borrow cooking gear and join impromptu parties. Because nearly everyone is Dutch, you meet locals in a way a city hostel rarely allows, and the English spoken is excellent, so nothing is lost in conversation.

The second pull is the program. Lowlands mixes music with theater, comedy, talks and film, so a rainy afternoon is never wasted. The late-night Bijenkorf and Bravo-style tent culture keeps stages running until the early hours, and you can wander between acts you have never heard of. Fit it into a longer trip by pairing it with Amsterdam, Utrecht or a cycling stretch along the IJsselmeer. Prices are not low, but you pay one ticket for a huge, varied program.

💡 HighlightsWhat this place is best known for

  1. The campsite community: Thousands of tents form themed neighborhoods, with decorated gazebos, shared barbecues and sleepy morning coffee queues. It is the social engine of the festival.
  2. Genre-crossing stages: Large tents and open stages cover indie, rock, hip-hop and electronic music, so you can drift from one style to another within an hour.
  3. Theater, cabaret and talks: Lowlands programs performance and spoken word alongside the bands. Dutch comedy is often in Dutch, but some acts and visual shows work for any audience.
  4. The Bravo late-night tent: After the main stages quiet down, the dance tents keep going well past midnight, with a loose and friendly crowd.
  5. Food and market area: Stalls sell everything from stroopwafels and fries to vegetarian meals, usually priced at roughly €8 to 15 a dish,
… read more 👉
  1. The campsite community: Thousands of tents form themed neighborhoods, with decorated gazebos, shared barbecues and sleepy morning coffee queues. It is the social engine of the festival.
  2. Genre-crossing stages: Large tents and open stages cover indie, rock, hip-hop and electronic music, so you can drift from one style to another within an hour.
  3. Theater, cabaret and talks: Lowlands programs performance and spoken word alongside the bands. Dutch comedy is often in Dutch, but some acts and visual shows work for any audience.
  4. The Bravo late-night tent: After the main stages quiet down, the dance tents keep going well past midnight, with a loose and friendly crowd.
  5. Food and market area: Stalls sell everything from stroopwafels and fries to vegetarian meals, usually priced at roughly €8 to 15 a dish, which makes eating a highlight rather than a chore.
If time is short, skip the talk and cabaret tents in Dutch and spend the hours on the music stages and camp.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Lowlands

Zeewolde Walking Tour: Self-Guided City Game

Zeewolde Walking Tour: Self-Guided City Game

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🌤️ When to go?When is the celebration of Lowlands?

Lowlands runs over a long weekend in the second half of August (Friday to Sunday, usually the third weekend), with dates set each year, at the Walibi Holland grounds in Biddinghuizen, Flevoland.
  • Late August Festival Weekend: Days are typically 15 to 23°C (59 to 73°F), nights cool to 10 to 14°C (50 to 57°F). Sunrise is around 6:15 and sunset around 20:30, so daylight is long. Showers are common and the polder wind is steady.
  • Ticket Timing: Tickets usually sell out within hours of release in spring, so the main cost swing is on resale sites, where prices rise.
  • Crowds: About 60,000 visitors fill the site daily, with the biggest crush at headliner slots on Saturday evening.
  • Before and After: The week before, campsite setup is quiet and trains are empty. Monday morning, expect packed trains from Dronten
… read more 👉
Lowlands runs over a long weekend in the second half of August (Friday to Sunday, usually the third weekend), with dates set each year, at the Walibi Holland grounds in Biddinghuizen, Flevoland.
  • Late August Festival Weekend: Days are typically 15 to 23°C (59 to 73°F), nights cool to 10 to 14°C (50 to 57°F). Sunrise is around 6:15 and sunset around 20:30, so daylight is long. Showers are common and the polder wind is steady.
  • Ticket Timing: Tickets usually sell out within hours of release in spring, so the main cost swing is on resale sites, where prices rise.
  • Crowds: About 60,000 visitors fill the site daily, with the biggest crush at headliner slots on Saturday evening.
  • Before and After: The week before, campsite setup is quiet and trains are empty. Monday morning, expect packed trains from Dronten and Lelystad.
  • Early Arrival: Camping opens Thursday, which gives you a calmer first night and the best pitch choices.
Pack a rain poncho and warm layers, since temperature drops after dark are sharp on the open campsite.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: not recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: not recommended for travelingMARMarch: not recommended for travelingAPRApril: not recommended for travelingMAYMay: not recommended for travelingJUNJune: not recommended for travelingJULJuly: not recommended for travelingAUGAugust: excellent for travelingSEPSeptember: not recommended for travelingOCTOctober: not recommended for travelingNOVNovember: not recommended for travelingDECDecember: not recommended for traveling

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🛏️ Where to stay?Where staying makes the most sense

The best base for backpackers is the festival campsite itself, a short walk from the stages in Biddinghuizen. Camping is where the social energy is: neighbors share speakers, snacks and stories, and solo travelers meet people within minutes of pitching a tent. It is also safe in the sense that thousands of fellow campers surround you, and there are lockers and charging points on site.

If you want a calmer option, look at the small towns nearby. Dronten, about 10 minutes by bus or car, has apartments and simple guesthouses, a supermarket and a train link to Lelystad and Zwolle. It suits those … read more 👉
The best base for backpackers is the festival campsite itself, a short walk from the stages in Biddinghuizen. Camping is where the social energy is: neighbors share speakers, snacks and stories, and solo travelers meet people within minutes of pitching a tent. It is also safe in the sense that thousands of fellow campers surround you, and there are lockers and charging points on site.

If you want a calmer option, look at the small towns nearby. Dronten, about 10 minutes by bus or car, has apartments and simple guesthouses, a supermarket and a train link to Lelystad and Zwolle. It suits those who want a proper bed and shower, though you lose the late-night campsite atmosphere.

Lelystad, around 25 to 30 minutes away, has more rooms, a train station with direct links to Amsterdam, and cheaper chain accommodation. It works well if you are combining the festival with city time or arriving late.

Amsterdam is roughly an hour by train and bus, and its hostels are the most social in the region. Daily commuting is tiring, so it only makes sense if you have a day ticket or few travel days.

Book anything off-site very early, because rooms within 30 km vanish months ahead.
Best hostels in The Netherlands


Best quality hotels in The Netherlands

👛 Costs (as of 15 October 2026)Typical daily expenses

A Lowlands weekend costs roughly USD 190 to 330 per day once the ticket is spread across the stay, with the ticket being the largest single expense.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUSD 300 to 380 for the weekendSold in spring, usually sold out quickly. Camping access is generally included, but resale prices run higher.
AccommodationUSD 0 to 130 per nightOwn tent on the festival campsite is included. Rented tents or comfort camping cost extra, and rooms in Dronten or Lelystad run USD 80 to 130.
Local transportUSD 10 to 60Train from Amsterdam to Dronten with a shuttle bus costs roughly USD 20 to 30 each way. Festival shuttles run from the station.
Food & drinksUSD 35 to 70 per dayMeals at stalls cost USD 9 to 16, beer about USD 5 to 6 a cup, and coffee USD 3 to 4. Cashless payment
… read more 👉
A Lowlands weekend costs roughly USD 190 to 330 per day once the ticket is spread across the stay, with the ticket being the largest single expense.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUSD 300 to 380 for the weekendSold in spring, usually sold out quickly. Camping access is generally included, but resale prices run higher.
AccommodationUSD 0 to 130 per nightOwn tent on the festival campsite is included. Rented tents or comfort camping cost extra, and rooms in Dronten or Lelystad run USD 80 to 130.
Local transportUSD 10 to 60Train from Amsterdam to Dronten with a shuttle bus costs roughly USD 20 to 30 each way. Festival shuttles run from the station.
Food & drinksUSD 35 to 70 per dayMeals at stalls cost USD 9 to 16, beer about USD 5 to 6 a cup, and coffee USD 3 to 4. Cashless payment applies.
Miscellaneous expensesUSD 10 to 40 per dayRain gear, lockers, phone charging, earplugs, and festival merchandise add up. Showers on site are sometimes paid.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🍲 FoodLocal Cuisine & Drinks

Food at Lowlands is a rolling street-food market, with vegetarian and vegan dishes far more common than at most festivals. Expect stalls selling Thai curries, falafel wraps, burgers, poke bowls, pizza and loaded fries, plus Dutch snacks like frites with mayonnaise and stroopwafels. Breakfast is a good time to try fresh coffee and a croissant or pancake before the stages fill up.

For drinks, Dutch lager is the default, served in plastic cups, alongside craft beer, cider, wine and cocktails. Water points are free, and refilling a bottle saves real money.

Worth trying for atmosphere: a late-night kibbeling or fries in the campsite food area, when the lines are short and the crowd is chatty. The campsite also has a supermarket with basics for cheaper meals.

The festival is cashless, so you … read more 👉
Food at Lowlands is a rolling street-food market, with vegetarian and vegan dishes far more common than at most festivals. Expect stalls selling Thai curries, falafel wraps, burgers, poke bowls, pizza and loaded fries, plus Dutch snacks like frites with mayonnaise and stroopwafels. Breakfast is a good time to try fresh coffee and a croissant or pancake before the stages fill up.

For drinks, Dutch lager is the default, served in plastic cups, alongside craft beer, cider, wine and cocktails. Water points are free, and refilling a bottle saves real money.

Worth trying for atmosphere: a late-night kibbeling or fries in the campsite food area, when the lines are short and the crowd is chatty. The campsite also has a supermarket with basics for cheaper meals.

The festival is cashless, so you pay with a card or a loaded wristband, and any unused balance can usually be reclaimed afterward. Queues peak around 18:00 and between headline acts, so eat early or late. Portions are meant for one, but sharing fries or a big wrap is normal, and nobody blinks.

FAQTraveler FAQ

Lowlands takes place over a long weekend in the second half of August, usually Friday to Sunday, with the campsite opening on Thursday. It is held at the Walibi Holland recreation area near Biddinghuizen in Flevoland. Exact dates change each year, so check the official site when tickets go on sale.
A weekend ticket with camping typically costs about €250 to 300, and a basic ticket without camping is somewhat less. Expect to budget another €60 to 120 for food, drinks and tokens loaded onto the cashless wristband. Train travel from Amsterdam costs around €15 to 20 each way with the shuttle.
Yes, tickets are essential in advance because the festival usually sells out within days or weeks of release, long before August. Sales open in spring, sometimes with a presale for returning visitors. Buy only through the official ticket partner, since resale scams are common, and expect to register your name for entry.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Dutch festivals near Lowlands

Explore more nearby:

  • Amsterdam Dance Event—Club nights, daytime conferences, warehouse parties, canal boats| 59 km away
  • Pride Amsterdam—Canal Parade, Amstel banks, Pride Walk, street parties| 59 km away
  • Hello Festival—Bike arrival, cashless wristband, local crowd, Amersfoort| 83 km away

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We 💚 feedbackFinal thoughts on celebrating the Lowlands

Go on Saturday afternoon into the night. By then the campsite has settled, the sun is low over the polder, and the biggest sets arrive together. Friday feels like warm-up, Sunday like recovery. I would not recommend a day ticket if you can camp, because the evenings are the festival. Bring ear plugs and sleep late.

✈️ When did I visit The Netherlands?
Netherlands is my home base, so whenever I don’t travel, you can find me in this tiny spot on the globe. When friends from abroad visit me, it’s the time to actually explore my own country as a traveler.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in The Netherlands, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

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