A Roadmap to the Haarlem Vinyl Festival 2025

07 January 2025

The last weekend of September is all about vinyl culture in Haarlem, as a global audience gathers to connect and celebrate the records they love. As we prepare for the third edition of our citywide festival, here's everything you need to know to plan your visit.

Do You Need a Ticket?

The good news is that you don't need a ticket to enjoy many parts of the Haarlem Vinyl Festival. Numerous art exhibitions, listening sessions, and even the Record Fair are free to attend.However, if you want to dive deeper into the experience, there's a fantastic day and nighttime program for which you can purchase tickets. These include concerts at iconic venues like Patronaat and PHIL. For those seeking full access, the Weekend Pass is your all-access ticket to all events, day and night. You can purchase it here against Early Bird Rate. 

A Citywide Celebration of Vinyl Culture

The Haarlem Vinyl Festival kicks off on Friday and transforms the city into a haven for vinyl lovers. From art exhibitions to film screenings, the program is designed to explore every aspect of vinyl culture. Last year's edition featured over 30 locations, showcasing more than 150 artists and speakers. This year promises to be just as exciting, with events bringing together producers, creators, and vinyl enthusiasts from all corners of the globe. The festival's central hub is PHIL, a stunning theater in Haarlem's city center. PHIL will host a variety of events, including interactive listening sessions, Q&As, art exhibitions, and presentations that celebrate both the legacy and future of global vinyl culture.

Haarlem: Getting There and Getting Around

Haarlem is the perfect canvas for this celebration. Known for its stunning architecture, world-class museums, and vibrant music scene, it is also home to Record Industry, one of the world's largest vinyl pressing plants. On Friday, a limited number of visitors can enjoy guided tours of the pressing plant—tickets and reservations are mandatory, so stay tuned for updates.

All festival venues are within walking distance of one another, but if you're staying for the weekend, we recommend renting a bike to conserve energy for the evening concerts and dance floors. Haarlem is easily accessible by train (only 15 minutes from Amsterdam Central Station), and while there are plenty of parking options near the main locations, traveling by public transport is the most convenient option.

The Program

The Haarlem Vinyl Festival spans three days, offering events for all types of visitors. The first artists and speakers will be announced soon and more program will be added to the event on a weekly base, with program completion to be expected by the beginning of September. You can subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media to keep track of all updates.

Friday (September 26th)

The program begins at PHIL, where you can enjoy artist keynotes, listening sessions, and other engaging activities. As evening falls, the festival comes alive with concerts at Patronaat, PHIL, and several other venues across the city.

Saturday (September 27th)

Start early at 9 AM with the Record Fair and the daytime program at PHIL. Throughout the day, you can participate in workshops, join listening sessions, meet artists at signing events, and explore the Haarlem Record Label Market (HRLM). If you want to take in the beauty of Haarlem, the art route offers a unique way to see the city, or you can catch a film at one of the theaters before heading into the evening program. The Saturday night lineup features an exciting mix of concerts, live performances, and DJ sets, ensuring there's something for everyone.

Sunday (September 28th)

The final day of the festival offers more opportunities for crate digging and participating in the program. As the weekend winds down, the evening program will bring the festival to a celebratory close at various venues across town.

Stay Updated and Send Us Your Program Suggestions

More details about the day and nighttime programs will be announced in the coming weeks. In the meantime, check out the Artists, Speakers, and Locations A-Z from 2024 to get a taste of what's in store. If you have suggestions for topics, artists, or events, we'd love to hear from you! Send your ideas to info@haarlemvinylfestival.com.

See you in Haarlem!