UPCLOSE 2026
MAY 16 & 17, HOUTRAK (SPAARNWOUDE-PARK)
Upclose 2026 | Practical Info
everything you should know
To make sure you’re informed, safe, and happy during our festival, we have listed all practical info for you to get the most out of Awakenings Upclose 2026!
General
TICKETS
You will be able to personalize your tickets starting February 1st. Personalizing your tickets is mandatory.
All e-tickets are securely sealed. Once all tickets have been personalized, they will be sent to the main buyer on Thursday, May 14.
Can’t find your order? Try searching for “Bleep” in your inbox and don’t forget to check your spam folder. If you still can’t find it, please contact our customer support via this link provided.
Heading to the festival?
Make sure your phone screen brightness is turned up and download your e-tickets in advance for faster entry. There’s no need to print your tickets.
Please note: Entry is not permitted after 21:00, and re-entry is not allowed once you leave the venue.
All e-tickets are securely sealed. Once all tickets have been personalized, they will be sent to the main buyer on Thursday, May 14.
Can’t find your order? Try searching for “Bleep” in your inbox and don’t forget to check your spam folder. If you still can’t find it, please contact our customer support via this link provided.
Heading to the festival?
Make sure your phone screen brightness is turned up and download your e-tickets in advance for faster entry. There’s no need to print your tickets.
Please note: Entry is not permitted after 21:00, and re-entry is not allowed once you leave the venue.
WEEKEND TICKETS
Visiting both days? Choose the weekend line at the entrance, and pick up your wristband there.
On Sunday this wristband + your e-ticket is your entrance ticket, so make sure to keep your wristband on; without it, you won’t get in.
On Sunday this wristband + your e-ticket is your entrance ticket, so make sure to keep your wristband on; without it, you won’t get in.
RE-SELL TICKETS
It is not allowed and therefore illegal to resell your ticket through unofficial channels/websites etc. If you want to sell or buy tickets safely, do this on the official ticket marketplace: www.ticketswap.com
When a ticket is sold through Ticketswap, the ‘old’ ticket gets canceled and a new ticket is going to the new owner. The old ticket is not valid anymore and the seller is not able to put the ticket on Ticketswap again.
Please note: the Weekend Ticket can be sold to a "third party", but only as one ticket. It is NOT a separate ticket for two days. You can only sell it to one person as it only allows entrance to the same person on both days.
When a ticket is sold through Ticketswap, the ‘old’ ticket gets canceled and a new ticket is going to the new owner. The old ticket is not valid anymore and the seller is not able to put the ticket on Ticketswap again.
Please note: the Weekend Ticket can be sold to a "third party", but only as one ticket. It is NOT a separate ticket for two days. You can only sell it to one person as it only allows entrance to the same person on both days.
LOCATION AND TRAVEL
Upclose takes place at Houtrak (Spaarnwoude-park).
The easiest way to travel is by bike or take the shuttle bus from Sloterdijk. From the drop-off point it's a 10 minute walk to the festival.
To avoid queues and save time and money, please buy your shuttle & parking tickets in advance in our ticketshop and plan your travel.
The easiest way to travel is by bike or take the shuttle bus from Sloterdijk. From the drop-off point it's a 10 minute walk to the festival.
To avoid queues and save time and money, please buy your shuttle & parking tickets in advance in our ticketshop and plan your travel.
LOCKERS
You can buy your locker online in pre-sale with discount in our ticketshop.
After buying your locker online in pre-sale, you will receive an e-mail with your locker number and pin code, so this will avoid waiting at the locker desk. If you bought your locker online and received the number and pin code, you will not be able to re-sell the locker e-ticket through Ticketswap anymore.
Lockers can be bought online till Wednesday 13th of May, 09:00.
The locker number and pin will be sent on Thursday 15th of May.
Weekend-visitors buy a 2-day-locker and keep the same locker and code for the weekend.
Didn’t buy your locker upfront?
The last lockers will be available at the festival. You can still buy a locker at our locker desk, just after the entrance.
Locker sizes:
Standard : 22,0 x 25,0 x 50,0 cm (1 or 2 friends)
Large: 33,0 x 25,0 x 50 cm (2 or 3 friends)
After buying your locker online in pre-sale, you will receive an e-mail with your locker number and pin code, so this will avoid waiting at the locker desk. If you bought your locker online and received the number and pin code, you will not be able to re-sell the locker e-ticket through Ticketswap anymore.
Lockers can be bought online till Wednesday 13th of May, 09:00.
The locker number and pin will be sent on Thursday 15th of May.
Weekend-visitors buy a 2-day-locker and keep the same locker and code for the weekend.
Didn’t buy your locker upfront?
The last lockers will be available at the festival. You can still buy a locker at our locker desk, just after the entrance.
Locker sizes:
Standard : 22,0 x 25,0 x 50,0 cm (1 or 2 friends)
Large: 33,0 x 25,0 x 50 cm (2 or 3 friends)
TOKENS
Food and drinks can be bought with tokens, which can be paid by cash and card at several token stations across the festival grounds.
DEPOSIT RECYCLE SYSTEM
During all our Awakenings events we are working with a deposit system on all cups, cans and bottles we give out at the bars. We would like to collect as many as possible, to make sure they can be recycled!
- At the entrance, after scanning your ticket, you’ll receive 1 FREE recycle token from us.
- With each drink you order, you hand in your recycle token or an empty cup, can, or bottle.
- Lost your recycle token and/or your cup, can, bottle? Then you have to pay 1 regular token.
- When you’re leaving the venue or you don’t want to have a new drink, you can hand in your empty cup, can, or bottle at the bar or at the recycle points at the venue. The bar staff will give you your recycle token in return.
- There is a unique code on the recycle token, after the event you can go to our website and fill out the code, then you have a chance of winning prizes!
APPAREL
We have brand new apparel, only available at the festival store, so be on time! This new drop includes sweaters, hats, sunglasses, T-shirts, and more!
SMOKING
We do not sell cigarettes or vapes during our events. Due to Dutch regulations, it is forbidden to smoke inside venues and tents. If you still want to smoke, please do so outside. This also counts for vaping. Note: It is allowed to carry a max of 2 packs of cigarettes or vaporizers per person.
ACCESSIBILITY & EXTRA CARE
We aim Awakenings to be accessible for everyone. Please find here the measurements we have taken.
If you have any questions or requests concerning accessibility, please get in touch at info@awakenings.nl. If you have any questions during the events, please don’t hesitate to turn to our staff.
If you have any questions or requests concerning accessibility, please get in touch at info@awakenings.nl. If you have any questions during the events, please don’t hesitate to turn to our staff.
RULES AND REGULATIONS
ALL RULES
Admission & Identification
Respect & Conduct
Security & Safety
Drugs & Prohibited Substances
Prohibited Items
Smoking & Vaping
Commercial Activities
- Minimum age: 18+ (a valid, government-issued ID is required).
- Entry may be refused at any time without refund.
- Re-entry is not permitted once you leave the venue.
- Entry is not allowed within the last 2 hours before the event ends.
Respect & Conduct
- Always follow the instructions of staff, security, parking, and emergency personnel.
- Treat others with respect at all times. Any form of harassment, including sexual harassment, will not be tolerated.
- By entering, you agree to our Code of Conduct.
Security & Safety
- All visitors will be searched by security before and during the event.
- Camera surveillance and metal detectors are part of our safety measures.
- Access is at your own risk.
- If you feel unwell or need ear protection, please visit our First Aid tam, they are here to help.
- For safety reasons, all bags and jackets must be stored in our lockers.
Drugs & Prohibited Substances
- Awakenings maintains a zero tolerance policy: no drugs are allowed.
- This includes hard and soft drugs, pills, powders, liquids, mushrooms, and nitrous oxide (N₂O).
- Cannabis (hash and weed) is not permitted at this event (only allowed at our events in Amsterdam Gashouder).
- Possession of hard drugs may result in removal from the event and possible involvement of the police.
Prohibited Items
- Own food and beverages.
- Pets, fireworks, weapons, or sharp/dangerous objects.
- Camera glasses, selfie sticks, professional photo, film, or audio equipment (standard cameras and phones are allowed).
- Large flags, inflatable objects, masks, and stickers.
- Shirts of sports clubs, motor clubs, or with offensive prints.
- National sports team shirts are permitted.
- Please keep your shirt on at all times.
Smoking & Vaping
- Smoking and vaping are only allowed in the designated outdoor areas.
Commercial Activities
- Commercial activities in and around the event grounds are strictly prohibited without prior approval from the organization.
Safety
ZERO TOLERANCE
Awakenings is a zero tolerance event. This means that no drugs are allowed, so all (hard and soft) drugs, pills, powders, liquids, mushrooms and N2O (nitrous oxide/laughing gas) are forbidden.
Security will thoroughly search everybody before entering the event. When hard drugs are found, you will be removed from the event and you might be handed over to the police.
Security will thoroughly search everybody before entering the event. When hard drugs are found, you will be removed from the event and you might be handed over to the police.
CODE OF CONDUCT, SOCIAL SAFETY TEAM
At Awakenings, we aim to create a safe space where you can be yourself and lose yourself. We value and respect all people. We have a collective responsibility and take care of each other.
If you experience or notice behavior that’s not in line with our values, please check in with each other and know that our (social safety) staff is always here for you.
Did something happen at the festival? Please turn to our staff on site. If this does not feel comfortable, there are leaflets at the entrance and toilets with a QR-code. By scanning the QR-code, you will start a WhatsApp converstation with staff on site who will help you.
Click here to view our full code of conduct.
If you experience or notice behavior that’s not in line with our values, please check in with each other and know that our (social safety) staff is always here for you.
Did something happen at the festival? Please turn to our staff on site. If this does not feel comfortable, there are leaflets at the entrance and toilets with a QR-code. By scanning the QR-code, you will start a WhatsApp converstation with staff on site who will help you.
Click here to view our full code of conduct.
CELEBRATE SAFE
If you’re not feeling well, please visit the “first aid” / “EHBO”, they are there for you and stationed near the entrance/exit. Take your time to chill out, eat some food and ice. If you need water, you can either buy it at the bar or drink some at the free taps near the toilets. It’s advisable not to drink great amounts of water (no more than 1 or 2 glasses an hour) and to eat something.
Check out the 10 tips on how to party safely.
Check out the 10 tips on how to party safely.
WEATHER AND CLOTHING
Prepare for all weather conditions. May in the Netherlands can be sunny during the day, cold in the evenings, and rain can be included. But that won't stop us :) The festival is produced for all weather conditions. Area 01 is a tent-hall and Area 07 has a tent-roof. The other 4 stages are open air. There will be some other tent-roofs against sun or rain near the food areas.
Check out our advice below:
Check out our advice below:
- Don’t forget to use sunscreen when it’s sunny (you can bring your own, no spray)
- Drink enough water, but not too much
- Take a break sometimes and don’t forget to grab a bite
- We advise you to wear comfortable clothes and layers, so you’re able to take something off or put something extra on
- We advise you to look at the weather forecast and bring a jacket / poncho in case of rain. Poncho’s can also be bought at the festival mech-stand for 1,-
- Small non-pointy umbrellas are allowed
- During the night the temperature can drop, don’t forget to bring some warm clothes
- Think of yourself, care about others
- The first aid team is your friend
- Don’t push your limits, be responsible
- Most of all enjoy the festival and dance!
PICKPOCKETS
Be aware of pickpockets! Keep an eye on your bag / phone and leave valuable (golden) necklaces at home. If you see anyone suspicious, please turn to the security and give a description of this person.
PROTECT YOUR EARS
We advise wearing earplugs with a music filter. There’s a special shop at the festival next to the first aid where we sell Alpine Awakenings earplugs. Earplugs will also be available at the merchandise store.
SUSTAINABILITY
We love to dance together on our beautiful planet for many more years. We are aware of our environmental impact, and we intend to create our festivals as sustainable as possible. Let’s take care of each other and keep it clean together!
Menu
One of the easiest ways to contribute to less climate change, is by eating a vegetarian diet. We offer a 100% vegetarian, delicious menu. Let us surprise you how versatile and nutritious it can be!
Smart energy
We always work with a smart energy plan, maximizing the consumption of energy from the power grid and other renewable sources. During our load-in and show period, we only make use of batteries. Since 2016, all stages are also powered by batteries. In 2019 we started using biofuels, obtained from horticulture, to power our generators.
Plant trees
We ask our visitors to come by public transportation as much as possible, which most of you do. Awakenings donates 2% of every parking & shuttle bus ticket to Trees for All, who plant trees on our behalf to compensate the CO2 emission.
Water
At all our toilets, there is a free drinking water spot for you to fill your cup/ bottle.
We have flush toilets which are flushed with gray water (reusable wastewater). By doing so, we save 3kg CO2 per flush.
We have flush toilets which are flushed with gray water (reusable wastewater). By doing so, we save 3kg CO2 per flush.
More
Want to read about all our sustainability goals? Visit our sustainability page here.
Live in the moment - No flash
We encourage you to live in the moment, make memories and minimize the use of your mobile phones. Upon arrival at the event, your camera flash will be taped over with an Awakenings sticker. In this way, we minimize the use of flash as this can be bothering for artists and fellow visitors. When taking pictures and videos, please respect that some visitors might not want to be photographed or filmed.