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Dance Valley 30th Anniversary: From 8,000 Visitors to Europe’s Largest One-Day Dance Festival
Dance Valley 30th Anniversary: From 8,000 Visitors to Europe’s Largest One-Day Dance Festival
Dance Valley celebrates three decades of electronic music history as the Netherlands’ most iconic dance festival returns to Spaarnwoude for its milestone 30th anniversary on August 9, 2025.
As one of Europe’s longest-running electronic music festivals, Dance Valley has shaped the landscape of dance music for the last three decades. From its humble beginnings in 1995 to becoming the Netherlands’ largest one-day dance festival, this Spaarnwoude institution continues to set the standard for outdoor electronic music events.
The Birth of a Legend: Dance Valley 1995-1999
Dance Valley’s story began in 1995 with a revolutionary concept: bringing electronic music outdoors into nature. What started as a modest gathering of around 8,000 visitors in the hills of Spaarnwoude quickly evolved into something extraordinary.
“Dance Valley felt like something new. Something you just had to be a part of,” recalls a 1997 festival-goer, capturing the pioneering spirit that defined these early years.
The festival’s rapid growth was remarkable – expanding from a single stage to seven stages within just four years. Early headliners including DJ Dano, Carl Cox, and Da Goose helped establish Dance Valley’s reputation as a must-attend event for lovers of electronic music.
Peak Years: Dance Valley 2000-2003
The early 2000s marked Dance Valley’s ascension to legendary status. The festival’s peak year came in 2001, when over 100,000 visitors descended upon Spaarnwoude, making it the largest one-day dance festival in Europe.
Despite challenging weather conditions in 2001, the festival’s spirit remained unbroken. “There were so many people… it felt like all of the Netherlands came to dance,” remembered one attendee from that historic year.
This period featured performances by electronic music royalty including Tiësto, Carl Cox, Armin van Buuren, and Mauro Picotto. Carl Cox himself noted, “Dance Valley set the standard for what a one-day festival could be.”
Musical Evolution: Dance Valley 2004-2019
From 2004 onwards, Dance Valley broadened its musical horizons while maintaining its core identity. The festival became a showcase for electronic music’s diversity, featuring everything from techno to hardstyle, trance to minimal.
Notable performers during this era included Marco V, Ferry Corsten, Richie Hawtin, and Sasha & Digweed. Ferry Corsten praised the festival’s curation: “Dance Valley brought everything together. You’d walk from one sound to another without it ever clashing.”
The iconic hill at Spaarnwoude remained the coveted spot for headlining acts, while new generations discovered the festival that had become a cornerstone of Dutch festival culture. Artists like Nervo, Chuckie, Lucas & Steve, and Benny Rodrigues graced the stages during this period.
Nicky Romero, reflecting on his early career, shared: “My first major festival was Dance Valley. You never forget that.”
Resilience Through Challenges: 2020-2024
The global COVID-19 pandemic forced Dance Valley’s cancellation in 2020-2021, but the community’s passion never wavered. “Even when there was no music, you could feel that Dance Valley was alive,” expressed one devoted fan.
The festival’s return in 2022 marked a renewed focus on quality, atmosphere, and the original spirit that made Dance Valley special. The post-pandemic years featured a perfect blend of rising talents and seasoned veterans.
Dance Valley 30th Anniversary: The Ultimate Anniversary Celebration
Over 70 Artists Across Nine Stages
Dance Valley’s 30th anniversary promises to be its biggest edition yet. Over seventy artists will perform across nine stages on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at the festival’s spiritual home in Spaarnwoude.
Headliner Highlights
The Dance Valley 30th anniversary includes:
- Boris Brejcha brings his unique “high-tech minimal” sound
- Martin Garrix makes history as the first-ever mainstage closer
- Tiësto returns to where he helped build his legendary status
- Ferry Corsten celebrates 25 years of Gouryella with a special anniversary set
Stage-by-Stage Breakdown
The main stage features Boris Brejcha, Martin Garrix, Tiësto, Ferry Corsten’s 25 Years Gouryella celebration, and Nervo. Martin Garrix’s historic mainstage closing set marks a defining moment in Dance Valley history.
Trance lovers can immerse themselves in sets by Giuseppe Ottaviani, Ferry Corsten, and Markus Schulz, with veteran duo Charly Lownoise & Mental Theo providing a unique closing performance at the Transmission stage.
Rebl City & The Raw Style Stages are the place to be for the hardstyle community. Lovers of the harder styles get double the excitement with Rebl City featuring Act of Rage, Darkraver, Partyraiser, Radical Redemption, and Wildstylez. While the Raw Hardstyle stage delivers harder sounds from Malice, Noisecontrollers, Riot Shift, and Sickmode.
The Voltage stage promises good vibes with DJ Jah, Chuckie, and DJ Moortje, while the Lucas & Steve stage showcases Gregor Salto, Housequake, Julian Jordan, and Quintino.
The Crown Jewel: Dance Valley 30 Years Stage
Perhaps the most anticipated attraction is the special “Dance Valley 30 Years Stage,” featuring legendary artists who helped build the festival’s reputation:
- Ronald Molendijk
- Dimitri
- Billy Nasty
- Tom Harding (returning from DJ retirement after more than 7 years)
- Yoji Biomehanika
- Marco V
- DJ JP
The return of MC Marxman as the festival’s voice adds another layer of nostalgia for long-time fans.
Tom Harding, reflecting on the festival’s enduring appeal, noted: “From muddy shoes to mainstage madness. Dance Valley has always been different—and it still is.”
Why Dance Valley Remains Essential
After three decades, Dance Valley continues to stand out. Its enduring appeal stems from a unique combination of historic significance as one of Europe’s pioneering outdoor electronic music festivals, musical diversity that spans all electronic genres under one roof, and its iconic location in the natural amphitheater of Spaarnwoude.
The festival’s ability to maintain a genuine community atmosphere that brings together different subcultures, while seamlessly blending legacy acts alongside emerging talent, creates intergenerational connections that few other events can match. This distinctive formula has kept Dance Valley not just relevant, but essential to the global electronic music scene.
The Future of a Festival Legend
As Dance Valley enters its fourth decade, the Dance Valley 30th anniversary edition serves as both a celebration and a statement of intent. The festival that began as “something new” in 1995 continues to evolve while honoring its roots.
With over 100 acts having graced its stages and countless careers launched within its grounds, Dance Valley’s influence on electronic music culture extends far beyond the Netherlands. The Dance Valley 30th anniversary edition promises to honor this legacy while writing new chapters in dance music history.
Dance Valley 30th anniversary takes place Saturday, August 9 at Spaarnwoude.
Tickets and additional information are available at dancevalley.com.
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Armin van Buuren announces two-day ASOT LA festival for June 2027, marking the first two-day A State of Trance event in the U.S.
For more than 25 years, A State of Trance has grown from Armin van Buuren’s weekly radio show into a global trance platform. Its events now span Europe, Asia and the Americas. Armin van Buuren has now announced its next major chapter in Los Angeles. The city will host the first two-day A State of Trance festival in the United States on June 11 and 12, 2027. The event will bring ASOT back to California on a larger scale, with further festival details still to come.
A State Of Trance Expands In Los Angeles
Armin van Buuren shared the news on October 8 during ASOT LA Unfiltered, an intimate pop-up in Downtown Los Angeles. Organisers invited a small group of attendees to the previously unannounced event. There, Armin van Buuren played a two-hour set before revealing plans for the 2027 festival at ACE*MISSION Studios.
While A State of Trance has held events in California before, including editions in Oakland and Los Angeles, 2027 will mark a first. It will become the first two-day ASOT festival in the United States. The format follows the larger editions already established elsewhere and gives the U.S. event two full festival dates.
A State Of Trance Hotel Joins The Weekend
Alongside the shows at ACE*MISSION Studios, the Los Angeles weekend will also include an A State of Trance Hotel. Previous editions have offered activities around the main festival. These have included pool parties, pre-parties, dedicated hotel events and early access for guests.
A State of Trance has not yet confirmed the exact package or activities planned for Los Angeles. Registration for A State of Trance 2027 tickets and hotel packages is already open. Lineup and further ticket information will follow.
A State Of Trance Celebrates 25 Years
The Los Angeles festival forms part of A State of Trance’s 25th anniversary, adding another major edition to the celebrations. Armin van Buuren launched the weekly radio show in 2001. Over the following two decades, it expanded into compilations, international events and large-scale festivals while remaining closely tied to trance music.
In May 2026, Armin van Buuren released A State of Trance 2026, the 23rd annual installment in the compilation series. The album features three mixes titled Pulse, Frequency and Energy. Artists across the project include Argy, Andrew Bayer, Joris Voorn, Amy Wiles, Farius, KI/KI and Lilly Palmer. ‘Always You’ by Armin van Buuren, Richard Durand and Dicosis also became the official anthem for the 25-year celebrations.
The anniversary celebrations have also extended to Ibiza. A State of Trance began a five-date residency at [UNVRS] in September 2026, running every Monday from September 7 to October 5. Armin van Buuren plays a five-hour extended set on each date alongside invited artists and collaborators. The accompanying A State of Trance, Ibiza 2026 compilation features Andrew Bayer, Giuseppe Ottaviani, Matt Fax, Solarstone, MaRLo, BLR and Richard Durand.
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ASOT Continues Into 2027
Before attention turns to Los Angeles, A State of Trance will return to Rotterdam on February 26 and 27, 2027. The event continues the two-day format already established in the Netherlands. Registration for the next Rotterdam edition is already underway as the anniversary celebrations continue into another year.
Four months later, Los Angeles will become the next major stop on the ASOT calendar. Several important details, including the lineup and individual day schedules, have yet to be announced. More information about the A State of Trance Hotel will also follow. Those reveals will complete the picture before the first two-day U.S. ASOT festival begins at ACE*MISSION Studios on June 11 and 12, 2027.
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A State of Trance reveals first artists for Rotterdam 2027 with Armin van Buuren five-hour set, exclusive vinyl show and new b2b performances
A State of Trance has announced the first artists for its Rotterdam 2027 edition at Rotterdam Ahoy on February 26 and 27. Armin van Buuren will play a five-hour set on Friday. He will then appear twice on Saturday with a solo set and an exclusive vinyl performance. The announcement also includes Aly & Fila b2b John O’Callaghan, Key4050, Giuseppe Ottaviani & Hypaton and Vini Vici b2b Space 92. More artists will follow.
First Artists Announced for Rotterdam 2027
At the centre of Friday’s four-stage program is Armin van Buuren’s five-hour set.
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Aly & Fila b2b John O’Callaghan also brings three established trance names together for one of the biggest collaborations announced so far. Friday’s lineup includes Alex M.O.R.P.H., Ben Gold, Billy Gillies, Ciaran McAuley, Dash Berlin, David Forbes and Farius. Modeā, Ørjan Nilsen, Push and Richard Durand will also perform on February 26.
The following night expands to five areas and introduces several more combinations across Rotterdam Ahoy. Giuseppe Ottaviani & Hypaton, Key4050, NRG2000 b2b SUPERSTRINGS and Vini Vici b2b Space 92 are among Saturday’s first names. The lineup also includes BLR, Driftmoon, Enigma State, Factor B, Mark Sixma, Olly James, onTune and Ruben de Ronde. Sarah de Warren, Talla 2XLC, The Rocketman, XiJaro & Pitch and Youna complete the names announced so far. Ferry Corsten will also play a b2b set, with his partner still to be announced.
Before the main Saturday program begins, Armin van Buuren will play an exclusive vinyl set. Guests with official hotel packages and Early Access tickets will have access to the performance. He will then appear again later for his solo set. This separates the vinyl performance from the main five-area program and gives Saturday two different Armin van Buuren sets.
A State of Trance Marks 25 Years
The Rotterdam 2027 announcement follows the 25th anniversary of A State of Trance, which began as a radio show in 2001. The weekly broadcast now reaches millions of listeners across 84 countries. Over the years, A State of Trance has also hosted more than 100 events across five continents. Rotterdam remains the flagship destination for its large-scale event and brings its international trance community together over two nights.
The first artists announced for 2027 reflect that history while introducing several combinations created specifically for the weekend. Long-established names include Aly & Fila, John O’Callaghan, Ferry Corsten, Ørjan Nilsen and Richard Durand. Pairings such as Vini Vici b2b Space 92 and NRG2000 b2b SUPERSTRINGS add less familiar combinations to the two-day event.
More artists and program details are still to come, while day and weekend tickets are now available for A State of Trance Rotterdam 2027.
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Armin van Buuren releases new [UNVRS] documentary exploring dancefloor psychology, human connection and the impact of his five-hour A State of Trance sets
For 25 years, A State of Trance has brought people together through radio, events and dancefloors. That shared experience is now the focus of Armin van Buuren’s new 10-minute documentary, The Psychology of the Dancefloor. He created the film with psychotherapist Rachel Giddings during his debut residency at [UNVRS] in Ibiza. It asks why music can make strangers feel connected and why a crowd can create a sense of belonging. The documentary also looks at why some moments stay with people long after the night ends.
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Inside The Psychology of the Dancefloor
Filmed during Armin van Buuren’s five-hour sets at [UNVRS], The Psychology of the Dancefloor follows the crowd as each night develops. Psychotherapist Rachel Giddings joins him in examining how people react when thousands hear the same breakdown, build or climax together. Their conversations explore the emotional response behind those moments and how a room full of strangers can begin to feel connected through music.
Each Monday gives that experience several hours to develop, with Armin van Buuren playing five consecutive dates from September 7 to October 5. The extended sets allow him to guide the room through different parts of his sound while the documentary pays close attention to how the crowd responds along the way. Those reactions become part of the story as the night changes from one moment to the next.
Speaking about the film, Armin van Buuren says the people in front of him are where “the real magic happens.” He also questions why music can affect people so deeply and why strangers can suddenly feel part of something together. That perspective keeps the documentary grounded in the people experiencing the night and the emotions they take home with them.
25 Years of A State of Trance
The five-week residency also marks 25 years of A State of Trance, which first began as a radio show in 2001. It now reaches around 44 million listeners across more than 80 countries, while more than 100 A State of Trance events have taken place across five continents. What started through weekly broadcasts has grown into a global community that regularly comes together in person.
Celebrating that anniversary through five-hour sets in Ibiza gives Armin van Buuren time to revisit what A State of Trance has meant to people over the years. The Psychology of the Dancefloor adds a more personal layer to that anniversary by asking what people actually carry away from those nights. After 25 years of bringing listeners together, the film looks beyond the music itself and into the memories, emotions and connections that keep people coming back.
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