Dance Valley is one of the longest-running major dance festivals in the Netherlands. Since 1995, the festival has been held every summer at the Spaarnwoude Recreation Area near Velsen-Zuid. The concept has been clear from the start: a single day of festivities, entirely dedicated to electronic dance music, with multiple stages running simultaneously.
United Dance Company (UDC) is responsible for organizing the event. For thirty years, they have been putting on a major open-air production featuring a mix of international and Dutch DJs and producers. The lineup includes both established names and newer acts, spread across various stages, each with its own unique take on electronic music.
A defining feature is its location in a lush recreational area. The hills, the water, and the open fields serve as the backdrop for the festival grounds, which feature a large main stage and several themed stages. While hard, amplified beats blast from the speakers on one field, you can hear another stage in the distance playing a completely different subgenre. As a result, the festival grounds feel more like a collection of different open-air dance floors than a single massive crowd gathered in front of one stage.
A defining feature is its location in the green recreational area.
In the run-up to the upcoming edition, it’s already clear that Dance Valley has no intention of slowing down. Another edition is scheduled for 2026 at the Spaarnwoude Recreation Area near Velsen-Zuid. This ensures that the festival remains a fixture in Dutch dance culture and upholds the area’s reputation as a venue for large-scale festivals.