AWAKENINGS FESTIVAL 2026: A WEEKEND WORTH REMEMBERING
editors SAMO ŠAJN and TIMOTEJ LETONJA
Revered as one of the largest techno events in the world, Awakenings definitely held up its side of the bargain this year. With over 119,000 visitors spread across three days, this year marked the festival’s biggest edition yet and it certainly didn’t hold back. A sold-out crowd, colossal production, and a lineup of hypnotic electronic heavyweights turned the usually peaceful plains of Hilvarenbeek into a bass-fuelled universe of its own. Narrowing it all down was no easy task, but we’ve pulled together the moments that made this Awakenings 2026 so memorable, all the way from the first drop to the last firework’s final glint.
A FULLY SOLD OUT FESTIVAL
image courtesy of AWAKENINGS
With 119,000 people on site, Awakenings reached its full scale from the very beginning. The festival moved almost like a perfectly orchestrated machine. Every stage felt alive, every transition was seamless, and every corner of the grounds carried its own unique energy. Across three days, the atmosphere never faded, with the crowd’s momentum continuing from the first beat until the final moments.
AN EPIC LINE-UP SPREAD ACROSS EVERY STAGE
image courtesy of AWAKENINGS
This edition leaned into variety. From the towering presence of the main stage to the immersive depths of the forest stage, the industrial energy of the warehouse-inspired areas, and the raw intensity of the hard techno tent, each space carried a distinct identity and atmosphere. Moving through the grounds felt like shifting between different dimensions of sound — each with a different energy yet all connected by the same pulse.
FAMILIAR ARTISTS AND THEIR UNFORGETTABLE SETS
images via RESIDENT ADVISOR
One of the weekend's highlights was seeing so many artists we've worked with take over some of Awakening's biggest stages. Artists like our Issue 3 cover star Nina Kraviz and Issue 13 editorial star Ignez — pictured above, respectively — as well as Lobster, Marrøn, Adam Beyer, Amelie Lens, Grace Dahl, and Richie Hawtin, all performed across some of the festival’s biggest platforms. Watching them take over large crowds added an extra layer to the weekend, bringing a sense of familiarity to the sometimes overwhelmingly expansive stages.
AMELIE LENS CLOSED DAY 1
image via AWAKENINGS
Amelie Lens closed the first day with a set that immediately became one of the weekend’s talking points. Despite performing while pregnant, she stayed fully engaged with the crowd, moving, jumping, and keeping the energy high from start to finish. Because apparently nothing — not even a baby on board — was going to slow down one of techno’s most unstoppable forces.
A NEW ADDITION WITH THE BEST VIEW
image courtesy of AWAKENINGS
The Premium Deck was a new feature this year and quickly became one of the strongest vantage points on the grounds. Elevated above the crowd with a clear view of the main stage, it offered a quiet moment inside a sold-out festival. The height enhanced every aspect of the experience, offering an overview of the full scale of the production— lasers, pyros, light shows and even seeing the crowd’s energy made the festival even more exciting.
CHARLOTTE DE WITTE’S GRAND FINALE
image courtesy of AWAKENINGS
Charlotte de Witte’s closing set on Sunday captured the full scale of Awakenings. As one of techno’s most influential figures, she brought her signature blend of driving rhythms, dark atmospheres, and hypnotic momentum to the festival’s final moments. Lasers cut across the night, fireworks rose behind the stage, and the field stayed full until the last beat. It was a clear, confident ending to the festival.
A SAFARI STAY IN BETWEEN SETS
image via BEEKSE BERGEN
Escaping the festival haze, we stayed in the Beekse Bergen safari park next to the festival, a surreal contrast to the bright, bass-heavy intensity of Awakenings. Before heading to the laser-lorn grounds, we were woken up by the sounds of giraffes, ostriches, and other animals walking past the lodge, which added a completely different dimension to the weekend.
B2BS DOMINATED THE WEEKEND
images via RESIDENT ADVISOR
B2B sets came in full force this weekend, bringing a collaborative spirit towards all stages across the festival grounds. This year in particular delivered several standout b2b’s, including DJ Gigola x Funk Tribu (pictured above), Yanamaste x Chlär, Kevin de Vries x Joris Voorn, and others across the weekend.
THE MAIN STAGE: A SPECTACLE IN ITSELF
image courtesy of AWAKENINGS
When you think Awakenings, it’s impossible to not picture this stage. Its massive presence dominates the field with sharp visuals, layered lighting, and pyrotechnics that matched the scale of the performances. It did not just host the sets, it shaped them, becoming an essential part of the musical experience.
THE FOREST STAGE
image courtesy of AWAKENINGS
Though the visuals were a lot more minimalistic than that of the main stage, the forest stage offered its own strengths. Shielded in a canopy of lush greenery, it remained one of the most atmospheric corners of the festival. Hidden from the sun’s rays, it provided a much-needed moment of shade and relaxation, while continuously staying full and high-energy throughout the weekend. With its deeper, more hypnotic energy, it became the kind of place people kept finding their way back to, drawn in by its own distinct rhythm.
