All About Mysteryland Festival

January 11, 2023
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main-stage-with-fireworks-at-mysteryland-festival
An explosive performance at Mysteryland | © Jorik Kleen / Unsplash

Haarlemmermeer, Netherlands

Open-air

XXL – 50k+

Electronic, Hip-hop, R&B

$$$

International, Casual, Alternative

+3 Days

Mysteryland is one of the longest running electronic music festivals in the world. 

Established in 1993 by Dutch entertainment company ID&T, it is an annual festival taking place at the end of August.

The festival is set at the Haarlemmermeerse Bos park in Hoofddorp, 20 km to the south-west of Amsterdam’s city center.

At the festival you can listen to all genres that fall under the electronic music umbrella, such as house, bass, trance and hardstyle. Other genres are available as well, inclduing hip-hop and R&B.

As one of the world’s longest running EDM festivals, Mysteryland is huge in size. It boasts 22 separate stages for you to choose from, with each of them handcrafted to suit a certain vibe.

Here’s everything you need to know about Mysteryland.

This Is Mysteryland – 2022 | © Mysteryland / Youtube

The stages at Mysteryland are very diverse

As diverse as the music plays at this festival, each stage will have something different to offer, attracting over 100,000 people yearly. With 22 stages to choose from, prepare to be amazed every single time.

stage-design-at-mysteryland-festival
© @Mysteryland / Facebook

The three main stages at Mysteryland, namelyThe Main Stage, The Q-dance Stage and the Big Top Tent, feature outdoor dance floors, LED screens, laser shows and impressive sound systems.

Mysteryland created international editions of the festival

In 2014, Mysteryland took over the US, taking place at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, the same location where the legendary Woodstock festival was held in the year 1969. 

The US edition was canceled in 2017, but in the years that it ran, the festival attracted some of the biggest names to its stages. Previous headliners include The Chainsmokers, Deadmau5, G-Eazy and Skrillex.

view-of-mysteryland-stage-at-sunset
© @Mysteryland / Facebook

The festival has also found its way to Chile, providing multiple stages that blasted EDM and attracting house fans, techno greenhorns and trance aficionados.

The festival promotes spiritual healing

decorations-at-mysteryland-festival-chill-area
One of the festival’s hidden gems | © @mysteryland_official / Instagram

There are quieter areas to escape when you need a breath of fresh air away from the stage. The serene park shelters hidden chill-out spots, art installations and places to eat.

If you feel like you are in need of some rest and relaxation, guests can also enjoy massages, yoga classes and group meditation in addition to chi and cacao ceremonies in the festival’s Healing Garden.

Sustainability is a priority at Mysteryland

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Mysteryland is surrounded by lush greenery | © @mysteryland_official / Instagram

The festival prides itself with its commitment to the environment as it takes over Haarlemmermeer every year.

It has become one of the most sustainable festivals in the world, winning the A Greener Festival Award twice among other awards and certifications. 

It’s no surprise Mysteryland has won awards for its green-ness.

Together with the staff, the electronic festival picks up every last cup and cigarette butt from the grounds, saves energy, provides free water and operates a store by exclusively selling recycled objects.

The festival has late-night sessions

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A late-night silent-disco at Mysteryland in 2016 | © @ElementsFestNYC / Facebook

Can’t get enough of Mysteryland? There are silent discos that run into the early morning to welcome the sunrise.

Mysteryland takes the concept of the silent disco to new levels, allowing guests to choose between music sets of different DJs by flipping a switch on their headphones. 

In 2016, Elements Music & Arts Festival took over the silent disco activity at Mysteryland US. With everyone vibing to their own and unique tune, it truly was a memorable night.

Famous artists have performed there

dj-perfoming-in-front-of-crowds-at-mysteryland-festival
© @mysteryland_official / Instagram

Mysteryland has brought in some familiar names to keep the party going in the past.

In 2019, industry giants like Diplo, Nicky Romero, Valentino Khan and Martin Garrix were just the beginning of the impressive lineup for that festival edition.

Its 2009 edition was no different. Swedish House Mafia, Don Diablo, Afrojack and many more made their way to The Netherlands to create an unforgettable festival experience.

Mysteryland is perfect for art-enthusiasts out there

If you’ve been to this festival before, you’re sure to recognize the artwork Waterlelie by the artist duo ATMosphere constructed out of recycled wood materials. Built at 16 meters above ground, the installation has been given a permanent home on festival grounds and can be seen year-round.

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Waterlelie on the grounds of Mysteryland | © @Mysteryland / Facebook

Art collective WERC have also shared one of their creations with the Mysteryland audiences. In 2016, they brought their Lily installation to the festival. Hundreds of light balls floated on the water, interacting with the environment through subtle changes in hue.

The festival is big on innovation

In 2016, Mysteryland became one of the first festivals in the world to live stream performances in Virtual Reality (VR). While this digital venture seems like a staple right now because we survived a pandemic, back in that day Mysteryland was few of the festivals paving the way to live streaming.

More people than ever have been staying home recently due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but this VR experience makes it possible for fans to attend the festival from anywhere they want to.

stage-visuals-at-mysteryland-festival
© @Mysteryland / Facebook

Performances were also live streamed to an on-site location called The Living Room: A Virtual Reality Experience. Festival-goers were able too take a break from the pushing crowds and blaring speakers, but still listen to every set. 

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