Mysteryland Joins Trend of Festivals Taking a Strategic Break

The decision reflects a wider trend of European festival instability.

Mysteryland organizers ID&T (International Dance & Theatre) have announced the festival will go dark in 2026, with this year’s event to be the last in its current format. It is scheduled to return in 2027.

Mitigating factors:

As per Digital Music News (DMN), organizers cite a near doubling of production costs since the pandemic as one of the main reasons for the decision.
They also state that “evolving audience preferences” are causing a rethink of the festival experience.

This year’s event:

Will take place between August 22-24 at the former Floriade Grounds in Haarlemmermeer.
The lineup includes Marlon Hoffstadt, Hardwell, Benwal, Indira Paganotto, Eric Prydz and more.

A growing trend:

As DMN points out, Mysteryland is not alone in its decision to halt the festival.
Glastonbury has announced a fallow year in 2026.
Germany’s Fusion Festival and Primavera Sound Barcelona have also adjusted or paused their shows.
The decisions stem from similar issues around cost and audience expectations.

What they said:

A Mysteryland spokeperson (as per DMN): “ID&T has been creating events for decades, and it’s precisely by constantly adapting to the times that we’ve stayed relevant for so long. Mysteryland has represented innovation in the festival world since 1993 – and as far as we’re concerned, it will continue to do so for the next 30 years.”

Mitigating factors:

As per Digital Music News (DMN), organizers cite a near doubling of production costs since the pandemic as one of the main reasons for the decision.
They also state that “evolving audience preferences” are causing a rethink of the festival experience.

This year’s event:

Will take place between August 22-24 at the former Floriade Grounds in Haarlemmermeer.
The lineup includes Marlon Hoffstadt, Hardwell, Benwal, Indira Paganotto, Eric Prydz and more.

A growing trend:

As DMN points out, Mysteryland is not alone in its decision to halt the festival.
Glastonbury has announced a fallow year in 2026.
Germany’s Fusion Festival and Primavera Sound Barcelona have also adjusted or paused their shows.
The decisions stem from similar issues around cost and audience expectations.

What they said:

A Mysteryland spokeperson (as per DMN): “ID&T has been creating events for decades, and it’s precisely by constantly adapting to the times that we’ve stayed relevant for so long. Mysteryland has represented innovation in the festival world since 1993 – and as far as we’re concerned, it will continue to do so for the next 30 years.”

Mitigating factors:

As per Digital Music News (DMN), organizers cite a near doubling of production costs since the pandemic as one of the main reasons for the decision.
They also state that “evolving audience preferences” are causing a rethink of the festival experience.

This year’s event:

Will take place between August 22-24 at the former Floriade Grounds in Haarlemmermeer.
The lineup includes Marlon Hoffstadt, Hardwell, Benwal, Indira Paganotto, Eric Prydz and more.

A growing trend:

As DMN points out, Mysteryland is not alone in its decision to halt the festival.
Glastonbury has announced a fallow year in 2026.
Germany’s Fusion Festival and Primavera Sound Barcelona have also adjusted or paused their shows.
The decisions stem from similar issues around cost and audience expectations.

What they said:

A Mysteryland spokeperson (as per DMN): “ID&T has been creating events for decades, and it’s precisely by constantly adapting to the times that we’ve stayed relevant for so long. Mysteryland has represented innovation in the festival world since 1993 – and as far as we’re concerned, it will continue to do so for the next 30 years.”