Lowlands festival is one of the largest annual music festivals in the Netherlands. Since its inception in 1993, it has grown into a massive event attracting tens of thousands of attendees each year. But just how many people actually attend Lowlands every summer? Let’s take a closer look at the numbers.
A Brief History of Lowlands
Lowlands festival first began in 1993 in Biddinghuizen, Netherlands. It was founded by organizer Eric van Eerdenburg as an alternative to Pinkpop and other larger festivals. The inaugural event in 1993 saw around 10,000 attendees. Lowlands was held over two days and featured 60 bands across three stages.
The festival continued as an annual event and quickly grew in popularity throughout the 1990s. By 1999, Lowlands had expanded to three full days and featured nearly 200 bands. That year saw around 45,000 people attend the festival.
The 2000s saw Lowlands continue to expand, with attendance numbers regularly surpassing 50,000 festival-goers. In the 2010s, capacity was increased once again to allow over 55,000 daily visitors. Recent years have seen daily attendance push past 60,000 people.
Over its nearly 30 year history, Lowlands has evolved from a small niche festival to one of the largest and most popular music events in the Netherlands. It draws attendees not only domestically, but from all across Europe and beyond.
Lowlands Site Capacity
Lowlands festival is held at the Walibi Holland theme park in Biddinghuizen. The event utilizes the entire theme park grounds plus surrounding field areas for its stages, camping, and amenities.
The total festival area is around 620,000 square meters or 63 hectares. Within this space, there is a maximum capacity limit enforced by the local authorities and event organizers.
The maximum number of attendees allowed per day at Lowlands is currently capped at 60,000. This number includes both festival-goers as well as staff, performers, and crew members. So the total number of tickets available to the public is a few thousand less than the 60,000 capacity.
This number has gradually increased over the years as organizers have expanded the grounds and added more camping areas. In the early 2000s, capacity was around 50,000 before increasing to 55,000 in 2010. The upgrade to 60,000 happened in 2015 and has remained the limit since then.
Total Attendance Numbers
Now that we know the maximum daily capacity of Lowlands is 60,000, we can estimate the total attendance numbers for the 3-day event.
With a capacity of 60,000 per day, simple math tells us that the maximum attendance for the entire 3-day festival is 180,000 people. Of course, this assumes each day is at full capacity, which is not always the case.
Looking at actual attendance numbers over recent years, we see total visits in the range of 170,000-180,000. Here are the published attendance figures for Lowlands festival since 2015:
Year | Total Attendance |
2015 | 180,000 |
2016 | 177,000 |
2017 | 185,000 |
2018 | 182,000 |
2019 | 176,000 |
2021 | 168,000 |
As we can see, attendance fluctuates year to year based on the lineup and other factors. But overall it stays fairly close to the maximum capacity of 60,000 per day or 180,000 total.
Attendance Breakdown
Beyond just the total attendance numbers, we can also look at some key demographics and breakdowns of who is attending Lowlands each year.
Where Attendees Are From
The majority of Lowlands attendees are from the Netherlands, which is expected for a festival in the country. Typically around 55-60% of attendees are Dutch. The remaining 40-45% come from other places, mostly elsewhere in Europe. Lowlands draws heavily from Belgium, Germany, the UK, France, and Scandinavia. There is also a small contingent of overseas guests from places like the USA, Canada, Australia, and beyond.
Age Demographics
In terms of age, Lowlands definitely skews towards a younger audience. The target demographic is people in their late teens up to mid 30s. Around 70% of attendees are under the age of 35. The rest are aged 35-55. There are very few older festival-goers at Lowlands as the event has a reputation for loud music and late night partying.
Gender Breakdown
The gender breakdown at Lowlands is fairly evenly split between males and females. Studies by organizers have shown between a 45-55% male to female ratio in recent years. The festival has succeeded in providing a welcoming environment for music fans of all genders.
Camping and Accommodations
A unique aspect of Lowlands is that it allows and encourages festival attendees to camp on-site. With nearly all 60,000 daily visitors opting to camp, this temporary tent city is essentially the 6th largest “city” in the Netherlands during the festival weekend.
Lowlands provides space for tens of thousands of tents across dedicated camping zones. There are also options for camper vans. Additionally, some choose hotels or rental houses in the greater Biddinghuizen area rather than camping on-site.
Here is a breakdown of overnight accommodations used by attendees:
- Tent camping – Approximately 50,000 people
- Camper vans – Around 5,000 people
- Nearby hotels – A few thousand attendees
- Vacation rentals – A few thousand more
So while daytime capacity hits 60,000, the overnight population of the festival is around 55,000-60,000. This temporary city must be supported by infrastructure like roads, lighting, sanitation, medical services, food/water, and security.
Staff and Crew
In addition to all the attendees, there are thousands of staff members and crew who make Lowlands happen.
This includes:
- Festival organizers and planners – Around 150-200 year-round
- Stage crew – 500+ workers setup stages, lights, sound, video, etc.
- Operations staff – 1000+ handle fencing, gates, traffic, waste, etc.
- Vendor and contractor staff – 1000+ workers run food stalls, shops, etc.
- Security and police – 600+ provide safety and enforce rules
- Performers and band crews – 1000+ musicians, roadies, managers
- Volunteers – 2000+ help with information, sustainability, accessibility
In total, it takes a small army of over 7,000 staff and crew to execute the festival across the multiple day event. They help build and operate this temporary city.
Attendance Impact
Lowlands brings a huge economic boost to the local area each year. Nearby bars, restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations, and shops get a major bump in business from all the attendees.
The festival also provides a big increase in tourism and hotel stays for the entire province of Flevoland. Research by local municipalities has measured Lowlands generating over €30 million in economic impact annually.
Beyond the economic impact, Lowlands helps put Biddinghuizen and the Netherlands on the map internationally. It draws positive global attention and acts as a promotional showcase for Dutch music, culture, and people.
Future Outlook
Looking to the future, Lowlands appears poised to continue as one of Europe’s premier summer music festivals. Organizers have indicated they plan to maintain the 60,000 per day capacity limit for now. They want to retain the intimate feel and manageable size.
However, some expansions and improvements are inevitable. Things like more diverse food options, upgraded camping facilities, increased sustainability initiatives, and expanded public transportation access will enhance the experience.
As long as organizers book exciting lineups blending top international acts with the best Dutch bands, Lowlands will keep attracting full crowds. Fans from around the Netherlands and Europe will likely flock to Biddinghuizen each summer for years to come.
Conclusion
Lowlands has come a long way from its modest beginnings in 1993. It now reigns as one of the Netherlands’ premier cultural events, attracting around 180,000 music lovers annually. Total attendance hovers near the festival’s capacity limit of 60,000 visitors per day.
Demographic studies reveal a young, international crowd descending on Biddinghuizen. While many camp on-site, local hotels also benefit. The festival generates a substantial economic impact, along with plenty of global publicity for the region.
Lowlands has found the right balance of size, lineup, amenities, and atmosphere. Expect the festival to continue going strong, cementing its status as a bucket list event for music fans across Europe and the world.