Amsterdam Open Air Announces Playground Program featuring NXT Museum, Patta Academy, Wondr Experience, Heesterveld, and Ghetto Funk Collective

Alongside a diverse musical lineup with 10 stages featuring artists like Partiboi69, Kerri Chandler, Argy, Cera Khin, Tjade, and FRENNA & THE GANG, Amsterdam Open Air will also offer art, immersive experiences, and workshops on June 1st and 2nd at this popular city festival.

Amsterdam Open Air has always reflected the vibrant life of the city, showcased through its 10 different stages hosted by popular organizations such as straf_werk, Vunzige Deuntjes, Vault Sessions, Tribes, Fiesta Macumba, and Slapfunk. The festival is not just about music; it’s also a platform for the city’s many creative initiatives. This year, the festival is placing extra emphasis on these initiatives with the announcement of its playground program. Through art, immersive experiences, workshops, talks, and theater, interaction will be as central as dancing.

Thomas Gurney-Champion, Creative Director of Amsterdam Open Air: “We believe in the power of discovery and being surprised. We notice that the magic of a festival happens not only at the front of the stage but also in those moments between the music. Through an extensive playground program, we challenge our visitors to think more freely, break out of their bubbles, and make new connections. This can happen in the most beautiful park in Amsterdam, with many hidden corners, stages among the trees, a small beach, and enough space to relax and explore the side programs.”

The festival has formed many new collaborations for the playground program.

Digital Arts Program Curated by NXT Museum

This year, the festival collaborates with NXT Museum, the first museum in the Netherlands focused on new media art created through technology. NXT Museum curates the new “digital arts” program, featuring talented artists who integrate sound, movement, and visual elements into their artworks. NXT Museum will present various visual shows on the three iconic LED towers of the Open Air stage and an interactive art installation by Roelof Knol that responds to movement and reflects you in many dimensions.

Workshops, Talks & Theater with Ghetto Funk Collective, Patta Academy, and Dance School Foundation

For those looking for interaction and depth alongside dancing, various areas will host workshops, talks, and theater.

Patta Academy, the school for young creatives and entrepreneurs will debut on Saturday, offering a space for creative talent with live music, DJs, and spoken word. The program includes talks, lectures, and networking sessions with Patta, Nike, and Carhartt.

Amsterdam dance collective Ghetto Funk Collective is a newcomer this year, hosting a stage on Sunday with dance workshops, talks, and a theater show by the collective. In the evening, fresh dance moves can be showcased as Ghetto Funk Collective’s DJs and MC take over. Foundation from the Amsterdam Zuid-Oost area returns with music and various dance workshops.

Heesterveld Playground

Returning this year, Heesterveld will program its playground with numerous activities. The Kiki House of Bodega brings the within the queer community iconic ballroom culture to the festival with a showcase featuring fashion, dance, vogue, personality, and battles judged by a prestigious jury. Other activities include the popular paint & sip, speedfriending, and exhibitions by various artists.

Wondr Experience

The popular Wondr Experience from Amsterdam-Noord makes its debut at Amsterdam Open Air. A double-decker bus will feature multiple rooms recreated from the experience, alongside the Pink Beach Cocktailbar where visitors can enjoy drinks.

Sit Down Café

In collaboration w/ HandicapNL we are launching the Sit Down Café at this year’s Amsterdam Open Air. This is the place where people with and without disabilities can party, dance, laugh, drink, play, and sing together at the same level. In the Sit Down Café, a DJ plays some nice tunes, the bartender chats with you, the host ties the whole show together, and you are encouraged to play a game with your neighbor. And above all: the roof actually lowers in a festive and spectacular way few times per hour, so everyone – whether you’re in a wheelchair or not – is brought to the same level. The DJs and staff in the café include people with and without disabilities. Additionally, an interpreter is present to translate the MC’s words and the music into sign language, menus are available in braille, and there are volunteers to guide you to a low-stimulus room if needed.

The full Amsterdam Open Air program is available on the website. Tickets are on sale via Amsterdam Open Air.

Complete Playground Program

Saturday, June 1

Curated Art Program by NXT Museum
19.00 – 21.00: Open Air stage – Visual art during DJ set by Fideles with Balfua & Deframe
Interactive visual installation by Roelof Knol
Patta Academy
15.00 – 15.45: Talk – 20 years of Patta with Vincent van de Waal
16.45 – 16.55: Spoken Word by Fleksick
17.00 – 17.45: Panel with Patta, Nike & Carhartt – Impact of 50 years of hip-hop on society
Foundation
13.00 – 14.30: Dance workshop Waacking
14.45 – 16.45: Dance workshop Hustle
Heesterveld Playground
15.00 – 19.00: Paint & sip
15.00 – 19.00: Speedfriending
Art exhibition by various artists
Wondr Experience

Sunday, June 2

Curated Art Program by NXT Museum
16.00 – 17.30: Open Air stage – Visual art during DJ set by Jael with Post Neon & Deframe
Interactive visual installation by Roelof Knol
Ghetto Funk Collective
15.00 – 15.30: Talk on Funk Music & Culture
15.30 – 16.00: Dance workshop Funk
17.00 – 17.20: Dance workshop Locking
17.20 – 18.00: Theater show ‘It’s On The One’ – Ghetto Funk Collective dance performance
Heesterveld Playground
14.30 – 15.15: Conversations with friends with Hadjja Fatmata
15.15 – 15.45: Mini Kiki Ball by House of Bodega
15.00 – 19.00: Paint & Sip
15.00 – 19.00: Speedfriending
Art exhibition by various artists
Fiesta Macumba
13.30 – 13.45: Dance workshop Salsa
Wondr Experience

Stage Hosts by Day

Saturday Stages: Open Air x straf_werk, Tjade presents Agrio Club, Techno Forest, Vunzige Deuntjes by Casa Bacardi, Super Social, Tribes by Lipton Ice Tea, Kanaal40, Supernature, Foundation, Patta Academy

Sunday Stages: Open Air, Slapfunk x Vault Sessions, Daily Paper, Overbruggen, Afrolosjes by Casa Bacardi, Kanaal 40, Fiesta Macumba by Lipton Ice Tea, Radio Radio, Heesterveld, Ghetto Funk Collective

Saturday Artists A-Z: Including Argy, Cera Khin, Cincity, Cynthia Spiering, David Vunk, DJ Moortje, Doppelgang, Estella Boersma, Faisal, Fideles, Grace Dahl, Hagan, Ida Engberg, Jonna Fraser, Kybba, Maruwa, Mau P, Nedda Sou, Nicky Summers, Philou Louzolo, Rebekah, Steven Julien, Thakzin, Tjade, Vunzige Deuntjes Soundsystem, Wes Lee, X-Coast, Yssi SB

Sunday Artists A-Z: Including Benny Rodrigues, Berkan V8, Beste Hira, CHAMOS, Cho & The Chosens, Cinnaman, Daily Paper Soundsystem, Dan Ghenacia, Doudou, Fidigyaldem, Fiesta Macumba Soundsystem, FRENNA & THE GANG, FS Green, Jael, Julian Anthony, Kerri Chandler, Lobster, Makam, Natalie Robinson, Partiboi69, Samuel Deep