There’s something about vinyl. The crackle as the needle drops, the weight of the record in your hands, the way a whole album feels like a journey. It’s not just music, it’s ritual, nostalgia, and a little bit of rebellion. And for one weekend in September, the Dutch city of Haarlem becomes the epicenter of that magic.

Welcome to Haarlem Vinyl Festival 2025, where the streets hum with the energy of crate diggers, the air smells like old record sleeves, and every corner of the city pulses with live music, art, and the kind of electric excitement that only happens when people who love music come together.

It’s a three-day love letter to vinyl culture, a place where the obsession with records isn’t just understood, it’s celebrated. From September 26 to 28, Haarlem transforms into a playground for music lovers, with live concerts, DJ sets, film screenings, art exhibitions, and a massive outdoor record fair that spills across the city’s cobbled streets. The festival was born from Haarlem’s deep roots in vinyl, home to Record Industry, one of the world’s largest pressing plants, and it’s grown into something much bigger: a global gathering for anyone who’s ever lost themselves in the grooves of a favorite LP.

The lineup is as eclectic as the records you’ll find at the fair. Crazy P brings their iconic UK sound to close out Friday night at Patronaat, while Cold Meat Industry Icons and MICH deliver performances that blur the lines between past and future. But the real beauty of HVF is in the discovery: stumbling into a hidden venue for an intimate DJ set, catching a legendary artist in conversation, or finding that one record you’ve been hunting for years at the outdoor fair on Nieuwe Groenmarkt.

This year, Making Vinyl Europe joins the party (September 24–26), turning the festival into a hub for industry insiders and fans alike. Think panels on the future of vinyl, workshops on pressing records, and late-night sessions where strangers bond over their favorite albums.

• Crazy P (DJ) + Figi + Kyra Khaldi - Date: 26·09 Time: 23:00 - 04:00 Location: Patronaat
• Cold Meat Industry Icons: Brighter Death Now + Desiderii Marginis + Raison d’etre - Date: 28·09 Time: 20:00 - 22:00 Location: Patronaat

Haarlem itself is part of the experience. The city’s historic center becomes a canvas for vinyl-themed art routes, pop-up exhibitions, and impromptu listening sessions. You might start your day with a coffee and a film screening, spend the afternoon flipping through crates at the record fair, and end up dancing in a 17th-century church turned concert hall. The festival doesn’t just take over venues, it takes over the whole city.

Maybe it’s the way the festival spills out of traditional spaces, 30+ venues, from grand theaters to tiny bars, each with its own vibe. Maybe it’s the mix of people: collectors, artists, casual fans, all united by a shared passion. Or maybe it’s the fact that, in a world of algorithms and playlists, HVF is a reminder that music is still something you can hold in your hands.

The outdoor record fair, run by Record Planet, is a highlight. Imagine rows of crates under open skies, dealers from all over Europe, and the thrill of the hunt. Nearby, PHIL Haarlem hosts everything from live performances to talks with the people who shape the sound of vinyl culture.

Tickets are your passport to the weekend, with Weekend Passes for the full experience or day tickets if you want to take it slow. Some events, like the record fair, are free, because the best discoveries shouldn’t come with a price tag.

Getting there is easy: Haarlem is just 20 minutes by train from Amsterdam, and once you arrive, everything is within walking distance. The city’s compact size means you can wander from a jazz set in a hidden courtyard to a techno party in an old warehouse without missing a beat.

Haarlem Vinyl Festival isn’t about watching from the sidelines. It’s about being in the middle of it all, the conversations, the music, the shared excitement of finding something new. It’s about the way a record can connect people, the way a festival can turn a city into a community.

The world is full of events, hidden gems, and unforgettable experiences, you just need to know where to look.

We’re building a world where art and culture bring us together, where artists meet their audience, and every moment becomes a shared experience. Join us in creating the biggest, coolest, and most inclusive art & culture community outhere. Let’s explore, connect, and celebrate what makes life extraordinary.

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