Our Story

What began in Amsterdam in 2013 as an exploration of music, art, and connection has grown into something much bigger. DGTL is now a global festival concept, rooted in discovery, inspiration and innovation, with editions in cities like Mumbai, New Delhi, Santiago, and São Paulo.

At DGTL, the industrial backdrop of our stages becomes a canvas for creativity. Collaborating with some of the world’s most talented VJs, we bring spaces to life with captivating visuals and lightscapes, creating an atmosphere that pulls you in.

But DGTL is more than a celebration—it’s a space for ideas to take shape. Sustainability isn’t just a goal for us; it’s part of who we are. From eliminating single-use plastics to serving plant-based menus, we became fully sustainable and circular in 2022. Each step forward reflects our commitment to leaving a positive mark on the planet and our industry.

At its core, DGTL is about creating a place where everyone feels welcome. Whether it’s your first time or your tenth, whether you're there for the music, the art, or something you can’t quite put into words, DGTL is built for you.

From its Amsterdam roots to stages worldwide, DGTL isn’t just a festival. It’s a meeting point where music, art, sustainability, and responsibility come together—and the journey continues to evolve.

Electronic music runs through our veins, spanning the full spectrum—from disco to house, from IDM to techno, and everything in between. At DGTL, we take pride in always curating a balanced program, giving emerging talent a platform to grow. By supporting artists early on, we cultivate long-term relationships and help shape the headliners of tomorrow.

DGTL connects music styles, genres, and people, bridging audiences and cultures. Our line-ups reflect the strength of our global DGTL identity while celebrating the richness of local communities. Inclusivity is at the heart of what we do—welcoming every gender, sexual orientation, background, and identity. DGTL is, and always will be, a place for everyone.

We build on our music strategy with our in-house label, DGTL Records—an extension of our global festival’s identity. Showcasing cutting-edge artists and fresh talent, the label creates a tight-knit roster that reflects the diverse and forward-thinking sound of our events.

At DGTL, we see ourselves as connectors of cultures and creators of bold, revolutionary art. Our art installations are not just an addition to the festival—they’re a core part of the experience, holding equal importance to the music.

The art at DGTL is innovative and immersive, blending technology with tactile design. Each piece celebrates collaboration, evokes curiosity, and feels like an experience in itself—always striking a balance between aesthetic beauty and deeper meaning.

DGTL’s identity is both monumental and fluid. It is strong and sophisticated yet unafraid to embrace transparency, organic growth, and vulnerability. By embodying this openness, we aim to create a space where our visitors feel free to explore—not just the festival but also themselves. Through this shared mindset, we hope to inspire comfort, curiosity, and a sense of discovery.

Get the Crowd Moving:

From the Festival Grounds to the World

Running the best and most sustainable festival in the world. That’s what DGTL is aiming for. Once we get the crowd moving, we're convinced we can do the same for the festival industry and the world beyond our fences. By functioning as a living lab and sharing our knowledge, tools, and experiences far and wide – the good and the bad. Come join us.

Starting out in 2013 as an exploration of music, art, and connection, DGTL Festival has grown into something much bigger. A future-proof sustainable festival that can inspire change. We believe that we can and should be able to enjoy ourselves while making sure we not only minimize our ecological footprint, but make a positive impact on those around us. And since a festival functions like a small-scale society, what we learn here can be translated to real-world sustainable initiatives. With the help from festival goers, industry partners, and organizations – governmental, non-profit, and commercial – all over the world. 

On the Grounds

Within the borders of our own multi-day festival, we focus on five sustainable pillars: resources, energy, mobility, sanitation, and food. And that’s because these themes have the biggest impact on festivals, are directly scalable to society, and are very specific and practical. Our Amsterdam visitors are now part of a no-waste festival, powered by 100% renewable energy, travel responsibly, save water, and eat delicious food that’s entirely plant-based.

Beyond the Fence

Since turning DGTL Amsterdam into a 100% circular event in 2022, we're now exploring how to further develop this approach and inspire other DGTL festivals to follow. While we’re already doing a lot, we want to take our festival to the highest possible level of sustainability – and that means we won’t be satisfied until we get there. As a real-life testing ground for sustainable innovations, we can offer innovators the chance to try out their solutions and show the world what’s possible. Because going circular and climate neutral does not mean compromising on quality or experience – it means enhancing both. Together with partners like the municipality of Amsterdam and companies in commercial sectors, we’re exploring every possible way our festival can have a positive, sustainable impact on urban challenges.

Behind the Scenes 

The festival is where we can put into practice everything we’ve learned, but the biggest part of our work to make a positive impact actually takes place behind the scenes. Year-round. And, if we’re being honest, it’s not always easy. The first steps to become sustainable were  relatively easy, and their impact the most visible. But it’s the follow-through that’s hard – and not very glamorous. Like maintaining our circularity. Dealing with new challenges every day. Trying to cut through red tape and hitting dead ends. Constantly redefining what sustainable means and how we can do better.  We've come a long way since 2013, and no matter how complex it gets, we're in it for the long haul.

Moving Forward 

The more we learn, the more we realize we still need to do. And that’s ok. Every edition, together with our partners from all over, we continue to find new and better ways to run the most sustainable party in the world and explore the ever-increasing innovative options to change our world for the better. And with our visitors pitching in more and more, it truly becomes a collaborative effort. Let’s get the crowd moving to the beat while joining us in making a big sustainable impact. 

What SAF can do for you

If the aviation industry was a country, it would rank sixth in global carbon emissions. The largest portion of these emissions is related to the combustion of jet fuel. Flight alternatives like electric or hydrogen powered planes are still in early-stage development. However, SAF can be easily used in the aviation industry and drastically cut emissions today.

Enter the information for your flight and see how much you can reduce your carbon footprint with SAF.

Our mission is to provide a safe and enjoyable festival experience, and to positively impact the music industry. All of this, however, is not possible unless we create a festival environment that is safe and welcoming to all. 

At DGTL, we believe in:

• A dancefloor for all 

• A place to feel comfortable and free

• Exploring a curiosity for electronic music, art and culture

• A sustainable future

A safer dancefloor is a collective effort. Help us create an environment free from harassment, racism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, and sexism.