Draaimolen Festival 2027 – Tilburg, Netherlands

Overview

Draaimolen Festival is an independent, multi-sensory electronic music festival based in Tilburg, Netherlands, organized by a small collective of artists, makers and thinkers who describe the festival as a love project that grew from the forest floor. The event focuses on the intersection of electronic and acoustic music, art, and nature, striving to find the perfect symbiosis between them. Since 2012, the organization has been organizing multiple indoor and outdoor events, including the annual weekend Draaimolen Festival, Holy Pink during Tilburg Pride, Draaimolen Island, and club nights throughout the year.

The festival takes place at the MOB Complex at IJpelareweg 55, Tilburg, Netherlands. The MOB Complex used to be a military mobilization complex but now the forest is home to Draaimolen Festival. The site is a forested area near Moerenburg, on the edge of Tilburg, where stage designs and light installations are built into the trees, creating an immersive environment that blends music with visual art and nature. Entry is 18 plus, and the festival emphasizes an intimate vibe on the dance floor.

Draaimolen is ever-evolving with an emphasis on music, art, and nature, pursuing exciting collaborations and giving young talent and established artists room to experiment. The programming is built on unexpected pairings, artists who have never shared a stage, long back to back sets, and live shows that range from fast club music to intimate concerts. The team asks visitors to cover phone cameras with a sticker handed out at entrance, encouraging presence, and cameras and speakers are not allowed.

What Makes This Event Special

Forest Symbiosis: Draaimolen Festival is more than just a music festival, it is a multi-sensory experience that immerses attendees in a world of stunning visuals, innovative art installations, and top-quality electronic music. The MOB Complex shapes the look of the festival, with stage designs and light installations built into the trees.

Independent Love Project: Draaimolen is run by a small, independent crew from Tilburg, a collective of artists, makers and thinkers. Their artistic approach involves working with creatives from many disciplines to create fresh, imaginative stage designs, art installations, and photo and video projects.

Unexpected Pairings: The programming is built on unexpected pairings, artists who have never shared a stage, long back to back sets and live shows that range from fast club music to intimate concerts. This creates surprising back to backs and innovative live audio visual shows.

Intimate Dance Floor Focus: Draaimolen offers you the best techno DJs from this globe with intimate vibe on the dance floor being all that matters. The festival tries to achieve intimacy even with high-level international bookings by keeping stages close to the forest and limiting capacity.

Phone-Free Presence: The team asks visitors to cover their phone cameras with a sticker handed out at the entrance, and cameras and speakers are not allowed. This policy enhances immersion and community feeling, reducing distractions and encouraging dance floor connection.

Art, Nature, Music Intersection: The festival strives to push boundaries by taking on new challenges and risks, giving young talent and established artists room to experiment, and pursuing exciting collaborations across electronic and acoustic music, art, and nature.

Lineup / Featured Artists

Recent Booking Level: The 2026 edition shows the level of booking to expect. Friday featured Eris Drew b2b Objekt, DJ Nobu, Djrum x Riko Dan, Kevin Saunderson b2b Surusinghe and Shygirl live, while Saturday brought Donato Dozzy b2b Job Jobse, MMM with Errorsmith and Fiedel, Octo Octa b2b Virginia, Delano Legito b2b Shinedoe, Fred P live and French II live.

Wide Spectrum of Electronic Music: Over the years many great artists have played at the events of Draaimolen, including Afram, Ben UFO, Blawan, Ben Sims, Call Super, DVS1, Dixon, Four Tet, Helena Hauff, Honey Dijon, I-F, Job Jobse, KI/KI, Karenn, Luke Slater, Marcel Dettmann, Nina Kraviz, Or:la, Oscar Mulero, Overmono, Parrish Smith, Somewhen, Speedy J, Surgeon, The Black Madonna, Âme, Actress, Bruce, Kelly Moran, and many others.

Live and Hybrid Shows: The opening concert tradition includes three live shows at 013 Poppodium in Tilburg, such as Actress, Bruce and Kelly Moran, promising an elegant odyssey through uncharted realms of electronic music on the dawn of the festival. For those holding festival tickets, opening concert tickets are typically discounted.

2024 Edition Highlights: The 2024 lineup included Carre, Shygirl, Mu540, Playero DJ, Kevin Saunderson, Cosmo, Anthony Rother, VHOOR, Djrum, Deetron, Kangding Ray, Riko Dan, Donato Dozzy, James K, Octo Octa, Reni, DarWin, Namasenda, Job Jobse, Objekt, Polygonia, DJ Nobu, Dj Ramon Sucesso, DJ Rolando, Eris Drew, ADIEL, Klone, SPFDJ, Altinbas, Jeremy Sylvester, BATU, Commodo, Virginia, Kim Ann Foxman, Carmen Villain, DEBIT, CCL, BASHKKA, DJ Lycox, Shinedoe, Isabel Soto, Sandrien, and A# Live, a local quartet from Tilburg formed by Alberta Balsam, Bastian Benjamin, French II, and Milio.

Back to Back Culture: Long back to back sets are central, with examples like Chlär b2b Stranger, Eris Drew b2b Objekt, Donato Dozzy b2b Job Jobse, Octo Octa b2b Virginia, and Kevin Saunderson b2b Surusinghe, creating chemistry and seamless blends of non-stop techno.

Event Experience

Forest Stages: Stages are integrated into the forest of MOB Complex, with light installations, stage designs, and sound systems built around trees. The forest setting creates natural acoustics and visual depth, with stages offering different energies from hypnotic techno to intimate concerts.

Art Installations: Innovative art installations and visual projects are created by creatives from many disciplines, enhancing the multi-sensory experience. Photo and video projects are developed specifically for the forest environment.

Opening Concert: To kick off the edition, three live shows are presented at 013 Poppodium in Tilburg, offering an elegant odyssey through uncharted realms of electronic music on the dawn of the festival. This indoor concert allows for intimate listening before the forest weekend.

Phone-Free Dance Floor: Covering phone cameras with a sticker handed out at entrance and prohibiting cameras and speakers creates a focused dance floor where atmosphere among crowd is all that matters. This policy is highly appreciated by artists and attendees seeking immersion.

Community and Nature: The festival is a day to relax and enjoy with best artists in an intimate setting. Attendees are encouraged to come by bike, with marked bike route from Tilburg Central Station taking around 25 minutes, and shuttle buses running from station, reinforcing connection to local environment.

Camping Separation: Camping is available at a separate site from festival, allowing forest to remain dedicated to music and art while accommodation is handled nearby, with shuttle connections.

Date & Schedule

Event Dates: 10–11 September 2027

Festival Hours: On both days the forest site opens at 12:00 CET and closes at 00:30 CET. Entry is 18 plus.

Weekend Structure: The festival runs over two days at MOB Complex, with opening concert at 013 Poppodium on the evening before the forest program in some editions. The full weekend includes Friday and Saturday programming in the forest.

Ticket Sale Schedule: Tickets for 2027 go on sale through the official ticket shop on Thursday 29 October 2026 at 19:00 CET, after an early access window from Tuesday 27 October for visitors of the 2024, 2025 and 2026 editions.

Camping Hours: Camping is available at Quirijnstokstraat 15, a separate site from the festival, open from Thursday 9 to Sunday 12 September, from 15:00 on Thursday to 12:00 on Sunday.

Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.

Location & Venue

Venue Name: MOB Complex

Address: IJpelareweg 55, 5048 TA Tilburg, Netherlands, also referenced as MOB-complex, IJpelareweg 55, Tilburg, Netherlands. Camping location is Quirijnstokstraat 15, Tilburg.

Venue History: The MOB Complex used to be a military mobilization complex but now the forest is home to Draaimolen Festival. The site is located near Moerenburg nature area, on the edge of Tilburg, combining former military infrastructure with forest.

Forest Environment: The forest site shapes the look of the festival, with stage designs and light installations built into the trees. The team reinvents perception of a festival in any way possible to create something bold, autonomous and unprecedented.

Capacity and Layout: The festival is designed for intimate vibe with multiple stages spread through forest, with marked bike routes and shuttle bus connections from Tilburg Central Station. The site includes art installations, food areas, and chill zones among trees.

Accessibility: The site is accessible by bike and shuttle bus, with highly advised bike travel from train station, only 15 minutes ride to festival site, and OV-bike rental available at train station.

Facilities: On-site facilities include stages, art installations, food and drinks, first aid, info points, and eco-conscious waste management. Cameras and speakers are not allowed on festival terrain.

Event History

Independent Origins: Draaimolen is an independent event organisation based in Tilburg that focuses on the intersection of electronic and acoustic music, art, and nature. Since 2012, they have been organizing multiple indoor and outdoor events.

Signature Events: People might know Draaimolen for signature events such as the Draaimolen Festival and Holy Pink hosted throughout the years, plus This Is Not Draaimolen Festival and Draaimolen Christmas Special.

Evolution of Festival: Early editions were held at Charlotte Oord and Waterjump artificial beach in Tilburg city centre, described as a day to relax and enjoy with best artists in an intimate setting. Later editions moved to MOB Complex forest, allowing larger production while maintaining intimacy.

Growth in Reputation: Since its inception, Draaimolen has quickly become one of the most highly-regarded music events in the Netherlands, attracting diverse crowd of music lovers worldwide, with emphasis on fair price and intimate vibe.

Artistic Approach: Their musical approach involves inviting best artists and producers from electronic landscape while giving emerging artists platform with surprising back to backs and innovative live audio visual shows. Artistic approach involves working with creatives from many disciplines.

Recent Editions: Recent editions featured lineups with international techno, house, electro, and live acts, with opening concerts at 013 Poppodium and extensive forest programming, maintaining reputation as dynamic event organization exploring relationship between music and visual arts.

Getting to the Event

By Bike Highly Advised: We highly advise you to come by bike. From the train station it is only a 15 minutes ride to the festival site. If not from Tilburg, you can rent an OV-bike at the train station. Marked bike route takes around 25 minutes from Tilburg Central Station to MOB Complex.

Shuttle Buses: Shuttle buses run from Tilburg Central Station to the festival site, providing convenient connection for those arriving by train. The shuttle service is coordinated with festival hours.

By Train: Tilburg Central Station is well connected to major Dutch cities including Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, and Eindhoven. From station, bike or shuttle bus provides final connection.

By Car: Car travel is discouraged due to forest location and limited parking, with bike and public transport preferred to maintain low impact on nature and surroundings.

Camping Transfer: Camping at Quirijnstokstraat 15 is separate from festival site, with shuttle connections and bike routes linking accommodation to festival terrain.

Walking Routes: Walking routes through Moerenburg nature area offer scenic approach to festival, with forest trails connecting nearby neighborhoods to MOB Complex.

Where to Stay Nearby

Camping Official: Camping is available at Quirijnstokstraat 15, a separate site from festival, open from Thursday 9 to Sunday 12 September, from 15:00 Thursday to 12:00 Sunday. The site is managed separately from forest and includes facilities.

In Tilburg: Tilburg offers hotels, boutique guesthouses, and bed and breakfasts within bike distance of MOB Complex. Options range from budget to mid-range near city centre, university area, and station.

City Centre Hotels: Hotels near 013 Poppodium and city centre provide convenient access for opening concert and shuttle buses, with many within 10 to 20 minutes bike ride to forest.

Holiday Parks and Nature Stays: Holiday parks near Moerenburg and Oisterwijk offer bungalows and nature stays, popular with visitors combining festival with forest walks and cycling.

Larger Cities: Accommodation can also be found in nearby cities such as Eindhoven, Breda, and Den Bosch, all within short train distance from Tilburg, offering extensive hotel options.

Early Booking: Since festival is intimate and capacity limited, early booking of camping and hotels is recommended, especially for official camping site which can fill quickly.

Things to Do Before or After the Event

Explore Moerenburg: Before or after festival hours, explore Moerenburg nature area and forest surrounding MOB Complex, with walking and cycling trails, water features, and bird watching opportunities.

Visit Tilburg City Centre: Explore Tilburg city centre with its shops, cafes, textile museum, and De Pont museum of contemporary art, all within bike distance of festival site.

013 Poppodium: Visit 013 Poppodium, one of the largest music venues in the Netherlands, hosting opening concerts and club nights throughout the year, located in city centre.

Holy Pink and Other Concepts: Explore other Draaimolen concepts such as Holy Pink during Tilburg Pride, Draaimolen Island, and club nights throughout the year, extending experience beyond festival weekend.

Cycling Routes: Tilburg and surrounding area offer extensive cycling routes through forest, heath, and villages, with marked routes connecting MOB Complex to city centre and nature reserves.

Food and Culture: Tilburg’s culinary scene includes diverse restaurants, brown cafes, and craft beer bars, perfect for pre-festival meals or post-festival recovery, with many located near station and city centre.

Restaurants & Dining Nearby

On-Site Food: Festival site includes food and drink areas with diverse options, often focusing on vegetarian and sustainable choices, with food trucks and stalls among trees.

Tilburg City Centre: The centre offers restaurants ranging from Dutch bistros to international cuisines, including Italian, Asian, and grill restaurants, all within bike distance of MOB Complex.

Near MOB Complex: Restaurants and cafes near Moerenburg and Quirijnstokstraat serve quick bites and hearty meals for campers and festival-goers, with many catering to bike travelers.

Opening Concert Area: Near 013 Poppodium, there are cafes and bars popular for pre-show drinks, with many offering outdoor terraces.

Local Specialties: Tilburg is known for its craft beer scene and local breweries, plus Brabantian specialties such as worstenbroodje, which can be found in local eateries.

Supermarkets and Shops: Supermarkets in Tilburg allow campers to stock up on essentials, with many open early and located near station and camping site.

Ticket Information

Sale Schedule: Tickets for 2027 go on sale through official ticket shop on Thursday 29 October 2026 at 19:00 CET, after early access window from Tuesday 27 October for visitors of the 2024, 2025 and 2026 editions.

Weekend Tickets: Weekend tickets run from $152.60 early to $174.40 late, converted from EUR 140 early to EUR 160 late. Weekend ticket covers both Friday and Saturday forest program at MOB Complex.

Friday Day Tickets: Friday day tickets from $86.10, converted from EUR 79.00, covering Friday forest program.

Opening Concert Tickets: For those holding festival tickets, tickets for opening concert at 013 Poppodium are only $5.45, converted from €5, regular tickets are $10.90, converted from €10.

Lucky Birds: Early editions offered Lucky Birds at $32.70, converted from €30 sold out, indicating tiered pricing with early bird advantages.

Camping Tickets: Camping at Quirijnstokstraat 15 requires separate ticket, with official camping information published on festival website. Camping is separate from festival site.

Where to Buy: Tickets are sold through official ticket shop on draaimolen.nu website. Avoid unofficial sellers. Early access is granted to visitors of recent editions.

Entry Requirements: Entry is 18 plus, with ID checks at entrance. Cameras and speakers are not allowed, and phone camera sticker is handed out at entrance.

Tips Before You Go

Buy During Early Access: Visitors of the 2024, 2025 and 2026 editions get early access from Tuesday 27 October, before general sale on Thursday 29 October at 19:00 CET. Take advantage of early access for lower price tiers.

Come by Bike: We highly advise you to come by bike. From train station it is only 15 minutes ride to festival site. Rent OV-bike at station if not from Tilburg, and use marked bike route taking around 25 minutes. Shuttle buses also run from Tilburg Central Station.

Respect Phone Policy: Cover phone cameras with sticker handed out at entrance. Cameras and speakers are not allowed. Embrace presence and intimate vibe, focusing on dance floor rather than recording.

Pack for Forest: The forest site can be muddy and cool in evening. Bring sturdy shoes, rain gear, layers, and ear protection. The site opens at 12:00 CET and closes at 00:30 CET, so prepare for full day outdoors.

Plan Camping Separately: Camping is at Quirijnstokstraat 15, separate from festival site, open from Thursday 9 to Sunday 12 September, from 15:00 Thursday to 12:00 Sunday. Plan shuttle or bike connection between camping and forest.

Explore Opening Concert: Consider attending opening concert at 013 Poppodium for elegant odyssey through uncharted realms of electronic music, with discounted price for festival ticket holders.

Official Event Information

Official Website: https://www.draaimolen.nu/events/draaimolen-festival-2027

Main Website: https://www.draaimolen.nu/

Venue: MOB Complex, IJpelareweg 55, 5048 TA Tilburg, Netherlands

Camping Address: Quirijnstokstraat 15, Tilburg, Netherlands

Opening Concert Venue: 013 Poppodium, Veemarktstraat 44, Tilburg

Transport: Shuttle buses run from Tilburg Central Station, marked bike route takes around 25 minutes. Highly advised to come by bike, OV-bike rental available at station.

Entry: 18 plus, cameras and speakers not allowed, phone camera sticker handed out at entrance.

Attendee Experiences

Multi-Sensory Forest Immersion: Visitors consistently describe Draaimolen as multi-sensory experience immersing attendees in stunning visuals, innovative art installations, and top-quality electronic music, with stage designs built into trees creating unforgettable forest rave.

Intimate Vibe Despite Big Names: Attendees highlight that intimate vibe on dance floor is all that matters for Draaimolen, with best techno DJs from globe playing in close proximity to crowd, allowing connection despite international lineup.

Phone-Free Appreciation: Many attendees appreciate phone camera sticker policy and ban on cameras and speakers, noting that it creates more present crowd, better atmosphere, and less distraction on dance floor.

Art and Nature Symbiosis: Visitors praise perfect symbiosis between music, art, and nature, with ever-evolving festival striving to find balance between them, offering fresh, imaginative stage designs and photo and video projects.

Community of Makers: The small independent crew of artists, makers and thinkers is noted for creating love project that grew from forest floor, with personal touches, unexpected pairings, and experimental programming that encourages discovery.