TT Festival in Assen: A Vibrant Celebration of Music and Motorcycles

Every year in June, the centre of Assen transforms into a bustling festival city for the TT Festival, a nine-day spectacle that coincides with the legendary Motul TT Assen, the oldest MotoGP race in the world. In 2025, from 21 to 29 June, the festival will celebrate its 50th edition and commemorate the 100th anniversary of the TT race, making it extra special. With more than 250,000 visitors, eight stages, motorcycle stunts, a fairground, and an unrivalled atmosphere of roaring engines and live music, the TT Festival is the ultimate party for young and old. Let's dive into this Drenthe celebration with a few tasty anecdotes and tips for an unforgettable experience.

A Historical Celebration with Speed and Atmosphere

The TT Festival began in 1975 as a modest addition to the TT races, which were first held in 1925 on the sandy roads of Drenthe. What was once a local celebration has grown into one of the largest free festivals in the Netherlands, organised by the TT Festival Foundation and supported by local businesses and volunteers. In 2025, Assen will celebrate not only 50 years of the TT Festival, but also 100 years of the TT, with the first race won by Piet van Wijngaarden on a Norton with an average speed of 91.4 km/h. Today, the festival attracts a quarter of a million revellers to the streets of Assen, with a mix of music, motorbike entertainment, and the smell of burning rubber.

The festival covers the entire city centre, from the Kop van de Vaart with its iconic Ferris wheel to the TT Laan on Torenlaan, where motorbike fans and party lovers gather. Whether you come for the concerts, the fairground, or the adrenaline rush of the TT NightRide, Assen offers a unique combination of speed and conviviality, with the nickname Cathedral of Speed as a fitting backdrop

Hoogtepunten van het Festival

  1. Anniversary concert on the Vaart In honour of its 50th edition, the festival is organising a unique anniversary concert on Wednesday 25 June 2025, on a floating stage at the Kop van de Vaart. With performances by the Royal Military Band Johan Willem Friso, Emma Heesters, Marco Schuitmaker, and Hendrik Jan Bökkers, it promises to be an evening for young and old alike. In 2024, a similar concert created a magical atmosphere when the audience spontaneously began waving their phone lights during a ballad by De Kast. Download the TT Festival App for the timetable and enjoy this unique spectacle.

  2. Music on Eight Stages With eight stages – such as Main aan de Vaart, Jupiler op de Doevenkamp, ClubNu op het Koopmansplein, and the new Jongerenpodium TT Laan – the festival offers a wide range of music. In 2025, you can enjoy artists such as SERA, Donnie, Bizzey, Rowwen Hèze, Mooi Wark, The Euros, Feest DJ Patrick, Russo, Outsiders, and CCR-Revival, alongside local talents such as Kevin Paré. A hilarious moment from 2023: during a performance by Boer Harm on the Market Square, the audience started a conga line that took over the entire Rolderstraat, much to the delight of the baristas in the cafés.

  3. TT NightRide and Motorcycle Entertainment Motorcycles are the beating heart of the festival. On Friday 27 June, the TT NightRide, with hundreds of motorcycles roaring through the city centre, attracts thousands of spectators. In 2022, the parade became so large that the police had to cordon off additional streets to manage the crowd – chaos that only added to the festive atmosphere! In addition, the Action on Wheels Arena on Jan Fabriciusstraat offers spectacular motorcycle stunts, trial shows, and even a lawnmower race on 27 and 28 June. One visitor wrote on X: ‘Those lawnmowers were more hilarious than I ever imagined!’

  4. TT Fair and TT LaneThe TT Fair on Veemarktplein and Rolderstraat is a party in itself, with more than 40 attractions, from a Ferris wheel to a bungee jump on Kerkplein. The festival opens on 21 June with a colourful opening parade, during which discount flags are handed out for the fair. In 2024, a group of children stole the show by walking in the parade with their homemade cardboard motorbikes! The TT Laan on Torenlaan offers a youth stage, a merchandise market, and activities such as jeans hanging, beer pong, and the legendary ‘ladder’ that will make its comeback in 2025.

  5. TT City Run and Beer Route For sports enthusiasts, there is the TT City Run on 21 June, with distances of 5.4 km, 10 km, or 14.6 km, starting at the TT Circuit and finishing in the city centre. Especially for the anniversary, there is a TT Marathon of 42.195 km, which visits historic TT locations such as Rolde and Hooghalen. A funny moment from 2023: a runner wore a homemade cardboard motorcycle helmet, which earned him applause at the finish line! The TT Beer Route (4-24 June) lets you collect beer mats with vintage TT posters at 20 pubs. Collect eight QR codes via the TT Festival App and win prizes such as MotoGP tickets.

Why the TT Festival is a Must-Visit

The TT Festival is a unique mix of motorsport, music, and Drenthe hospitality. With 250,000 visitors and free admission, it is accessible to everyone, from motorbike enthusiasts to families. The eight stages offer a wide range of genres, from Dutch-language hits to dance and rock, while the fairground and motorbike activities such as the TT Brommersprint (23 June) and TT Toertocht add a festive vibe. For children, there is the TT Kidsfestival on Koopmansplein, and on 24 June there is a low-stimulus fairground afternoon for a quiet experience.

Assen is easily accessible: the festival site is within walking distance of Assen station, and there are secure bicycle parking facilities and car parks on the outskirts of the city. For disabled visitors, there are accessible paths and toilets, and the TT Festival App (downloadable from app.ttfestival.nl) offers a map, timetable, and interactive routes such as the Tour de TT, which takes you past historic TT locations.

A Golden Jubilee in Assen

The TT Festival 2025 is a celebration of speed, music, and togetherness, with an extra golden touch thanks to the 50th edition and 100 years of TT. Whether you're rocking out to Bizzey, admiring the motorcycle stunts, or collecting beer mats on the Beer Route, Assen offers an unforgettable experience. As one visitor wrote on X: ‘The TT Festival is where motorbikes and music come together – Assen becomes one big party!’ So, mark 21 to 29 June 2025 in your calendar, put on your party outfit, and dive into the #bestpartyofyear.

Practical Tips for a Top Experience

  • Download the App: The TT Festival App has the line-up, map, and Beer Route. Check www.ttfestival.nl for updates.

  • Arrive Early: The TT Nights (26-28 June) are lively but crowded. Arrive around 6 p.m. to secure a good spot at stages such as Main aan de Vaart.

  • Dress in Layers: June weather can be unpredictable. A raincoat and comfortable shoes are useful for the cobblestones and grass.

  • Taste Local: Enjoy Drenthe delicacies such as poffertjes or a beer from Brouwerij Maallust at the food trucks on Koopmansplein.

  • Plan Your Route: With eight stages and lots of activities, the app is your best friend. Don't miss the TT NightRide (Friday 27 June, 7 p.m.).