In 2026, Dekmantel Festival adds a new sunrise chapter to its three-day escape into the forest, taking place from July 31 to August 2. Expanding through Dekmantel at Dawn, the festival program at the Amsterdamse Bos will now span a total of 36 hours – adding three extra hours of musical adventure per day.
Weekend visitors get to experience the forest in a new light, as the RADAR terrain under the trees becomes a space where a festival day awakens and takes flight. The Selectors, Greenhouse and RADAR stages are transformed into dew-kissed dance floors –an insider’s playground for sonic exploration and creative connection.
Offering both a soft landing and a swirling take-off, Dekmantel at Dawn is both a deepening and broadening of the trusted festival program. The first iteration will commence with a live-improv opening ceremony by James Holden & Surgeon.
In the mornings that follow, special performances include STARGATE, a field-specific set by Jeff Mills, a live performance by Japanese producers Satoshi Tomiie & Kuniyuki, and a rare DJ-set by singer/producer Sampha.
Cult icon DJ Sprinkles brings her Deeperama show to the forest floor, Jane Fitz makes a one-off morning edition of her Colours In The Night show, Channel One and Colin Benders present live sets, and Eris Drew underscores the sound-nature continuum through Mystery of the Motherbeat.
At Dawn is co-presented with Resident Advisor and also offers community-driven moments such as live talks, workshops and listening sessions. Additionally, the Dekmantel camping evolves with its own program, creating a continuous flow from forest to campsite (and vice versa) from Friday to Sunday, including afterparties and day-time hangouts.
The full line-up for Dekmantel Festival‘s 12th edition, including the opening concerts on Wednesday and Thursday, will be announced in January 2026.
Dekmantel At Dawn is exclusively accessible to weekend ticket holders from 11:00 to 14:00 at the RADAR terrain. From 14:00 onwards, when the full festival site opens, day ticket holders can enter through the main festival gates.
Weekend tickets for Dekmantel Festival 2026 will be available on November 28 for pre-registered guests, and on November 29 for the general public. Day tickets will go live at a later date.
