The Lowlands festival is one of the largest and most popular music festivals in the Netherlands. Every year, thousands of music fans from all over Europe flock to the festival grounds in Biddinghuizen for three days of music, art, comedy, film and more. With its extensive lineup featuring top international and Dutch acts across multiple stages, Lowlands has secured its place as a must-visit event on the European festival circuit.
When and where does Lowlands take place?
Lowlands is held annually on the third weekend of August. For 2023, the festival is scheduled for August 18-20. It takes place at the Walibi Holland theme park in Biddinghuizen, about an hour’s drive northeast of Amsterdam.
The festival grounds span over 55 hectares, making Lowlands one of the largest festivals in Europe in terms of area. There are over 10 stages and areas that host performances, including several large tents and open-air stages. Lowlands has a capacity for 55,000 visitors per day.
Who plays at Lowlands and what kind of music is featured?
Lowlands books a wide variety of musical acts and other performers. The lineup usually consists of around 200 artists covering genres like indie, rock, pop, hip hop, electronic, metal and more. There is a good mix between internationally renowned headliners and popular Dutch artists.
Some of the headliners at recent editions of Lowlands included Arctic Monkeys, The National, London Grammar, Tame Impala, Florence + the Machine, Mumford & Sons, Kendrick Lamar, The Prodigy and A$AP Rocky. Apart from music, Lowlands also programs comedy, theater, film, literature and science programs.
What are the ticket options and prices for Lowlands 2023?
There are a few different ticket options to choose from when attending Lowlands:
- Regular 3-day festival pass – €237
- 3-day festival pass with camping – €267
- Premium 3-day festival pass – €277
- Premium 3-day festival pass with camping – €307
- Sunday day ticket – €107
A regular festival pass grants access to the festival grounds for all three days. With the camping option, you can pitch your tent in one of the campsite areas on site. The premium passes give access to special facilities like premium bars, relaxation areas, private bathrooms etc.
Camping is highly recommended, as it lets you fully immerse in the Lowlands experience and enjoy the late-night performances. Over two-thirds of attendees camp on site during the festival.
When do Lowlands tickets go on sale?
The first batch of Lowlands tickets usually goes on sale around November or December the year before the festival. The initial allotment often sells out very quickly due to high demand. Another batch of tickets gets released around March. Any remaining tickets can be purchased in the weeks leading up to the festival, but availability at that point is very limited.
It’s recommended to try getting your tickets during one of the pre-sales for the best chance of securing your spot. You can sign up on the Lowlands website to receive notifications about ticket sales.
How does the pricing of Lowlands tickets compare to other festivals?
Here’s a comparison of 3-day ticket prices at some major European music festivals in 2022:
Festival | Location | 3-Day Ticket Price |
---|---|---|
Lowlands | Netherlands | €245 |
Sziget | Hungary | €289 |
Primavera Sound | Spain | €195 |
Rock Werchter | Belgium | €268 |
EXIT | Serbia | €149 |
As you can see, Lowlands is competitively priced compared to other major European festivals. It’s on the more affordable end for a top-tier event with A-list headliners and a full program of entertainment.
Are there any hidden fees or additional costs associated with Lowlands tickets?
The ticket prices displayed on the Lowlands website include all taxes and fees – there are no hidden additional charges added during checkout. The optional camping pass also covers all necessary fees for setting up your tent in the campgrounds.
Here are some other costs to factor in when budgeting for Lowlands:
- Travel to Biddinghuizen – shuttle buses are organized from major Dutch cities
- Food and drinks – Lowlands has dozens of food stalls, bars and restaurants on site
- Showers – public showers are available for around €3
- Lockers – locker rental for safe storage of valuables costs €10 per locker
- Merchandise – official festival merch like t-shirts and posters for sale on site
It’s a good idea to bring extra cash if you want to purchase food, drinks and souvenirs at the festival. Many vendors accept card payments too.
What is Lowlands’ ticket refund/exchange policy?
Lowlands typically has a strict no refund or exchange policy for tickets. Once purchased, tickets cannot be returned except in exceptional circumstances.
According to their 2023 terms and conditions, Lowlands will only offer ticket refunds in the following cases:
- If the entire festival is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances
- If an attendee provides evidence of serious illness/injury that would prevent them from attending
Name changes on already purchased tickets are allowed for an admin fee before a certain deadline. This lets you transfer your ticket to someone else if you can no longer attend.
It’s important to be sure you can attend before buying your Lowlands ticket, as you likely won’t be able to get your money back if your plans change afterwards.
How does Lowlands prevent ticket fraud or resale on secondary markets?
Lowlands aims to keep ticket prices fair and prevent scalpers from buying up tickets and reselling at inflated prices. They have implemented a few measures:
- Limited ticket purchases – only 4 tickets per order/billing address
- ID checks – festival wristbands must be registered to an attendee
- Non-transferrable tickets – names cannot be changed after a deadline
There is an official ticket exchange program leading up to the festival for people who bought tickets but can no longer attend. This is the safest way to re-sell or acquire secondhand Lowlands tickets.
The festival warns not to purchase from unauthorized resellers, as there’s a risk of fraud and tickets being canceled. Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true on secondary sites.
When do Lowlands tickets sell out?
The first pre-sale batch of Lowlands tickets tends to sell out within a day or two. Subsequent releases take a bit longer, but still often sell out within weeks.
The last tickets typically get purchased a month or two before the festival. In recent years, Lowlands has sold out completely around 6-8 weeks before opening day.
So in summary:
- First pre-sale: Sells out in 1-2 days
- Second pre-sale: Sells out within weeks
- Final tickets: Sell out 1-2 months pre-festival
Securing tickets during one of the pre-sales gives you the best chance of getting in. But devoted fans who keep a look out may still be able to score last-minute tickets later on.
What tips or hacks can help get Lowlands tickets?
Here are some tips to boost your chances of getting Lowlands tickets during pre-sales:
- Sign up for pre-sale alerts – you’ll get email/text notifications right when sales start
- Assemble your group – coordinate with friends so you can buy max tickets together
- Use multiple devices – open ticket shop on phone/tablet/computer for best chance
- Have payment ready – save your card details so checkout is seamless
- Aim for cheaper tickets – the day and weekend passes sell slower than 3-day
- Try ticket exchange – check for fans re-selling tickets nearing the festival
Persistence and preparation are key. Don’t get discouraged if you miss out on the first pre-sale. There are usually further opportunities down the line.
What’s the best way to buy Lowlands tickets?
The safest and most guaranteed way to buy legitimate Lowlands tickets is directly through the official festival website at lowlands.nl. This is the only authorized source for firsthand tickets.
Creating an account ahead of pre-sales makes the checkout process faster. You can store your personal info and payment details so tickets can be secured rapidly when they go on sale.
Some general ticket buying tips:
- Double check dates before purchasing
- Verify the final ticket prices and fees
- Only use secure payment methods like credit card or PayPal
- Confirm your order was successful via email/text notifications
- Save PDF tickets to your phone or print a hardcopy as backup
Avoid buying from unofficial ticket resale sites, classified ads or scalpers outside the authorized exchange program – the validity of these tickets is uncertain. Stick to lowlands.nl for guaranteed entry to the festival.
Is it difficult to get Lowlands tickets?
Yes, Lowlands tends to sell out very quickly each year due to its popularity. Here’s an overview of the demand:
- 55,000 daily capacity with 200,000+ attendees over 3 days
- First pre-sale batch around 30,000 tickets – sells out in under 2 days
- High demand from domestic and international music fans
- Loyal returning fans buy tickets year after year
With numbers like that, competition for tickets is quite high. The short windows between pre-sales also add to the frenzy and difficulty acquiring tickets.
Lowlands is harder to get tickets for compared to smaller Dutch festivals. But it’s not quite as competitive as selling out in seconds like Glastonbury or Coachella.
With preparation and persistence, attendees are usually able to secure tickets in subsequent sales if not the first pre-sale. But you have to act fast and get lucky.
What happens if tickets sell out before you can buy them?
If you miss out when Lowlands tickets initially go on sale, don’t panic! Here are some options to try scoring tickets if they sell out:
- Join the waiting list on the Lowlands site – you’ll be notified if more tickets are released
- Check the official ticket exchange frequently leading up to the festival
- Look for fan ticket giveaways on social media
- Reach out in Lowlands fan groups/forums to find sellers
- Consider a Sunday day ticket if the 3-day passes are gone
Also, Lowlands sometimes holds charity ticket auctions in partnership with Oxfam that give another chance at getting in. Don’t lose hope – where there’s a will, there’s a way!
Conclusion
Getting your hands on coveted Lowlands festival tickets requires planning ahead and acting swiftly as soon as sales begin. Demand is incredibly high, so a bit of luck and perseverance are needed too. By signing up for pre-sales, coordinating with friends, and utilizing all sales channels, your chances of success are good.
While not always easy, the effort is well worth it to experience one of Europe’s biggest and best music festivals. The epic lineup, vibrant atmosphere, and memories made will provide a lifetime of value from your Lowlands tickets.