This summer, hidden within vast fields and woodland will be worlds one can’t quite imagine. In one corner, you will find head-banging, guitar smashing, ruthless rock n’ roll. Yet, another corner will present to you splashes of flamboyant colors and nonstop booty shaking.
Walk a bit further and you will discover massive explosions in the sky, flying trapeze swingers, and thousands of feet itching to dance the night away. . . What is this mysterious world of worlds? It goes by the name of Pukkelpop festival, and it just so happens to be one of Europe’s greatest and most respected music festivals.
Unlike most music festivals of this caliber, however, it steers away from the chart-toppers and towards the trend-setters. Now, that’s alternative. In years past, Pukkelpop has hosted an array of different genres and legends, such as Daft Punk, Ramones, Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers, LCD Soundsystem, and Jurassic 5.
Pukkelpop took place in the great lands near Hasselt, Belgium, during the sweet summer days of August 16 – 19. The musical talent for 2017 was be nothing shy of outstanding. It included the melodic magic of The Shins, Bastille, Cypress Hill, The XX, The Flaming Lips, George Ezra, and Flume.
Get ready for top headliners in the list that include but not limited to: Kendrick Lamar, Arcade Fire, Image Dragons, and more.
Aside from just it’s musical aspects, Pukkelpop really packs a punch when it comes to street theater and performances, well-being workshops, and bringing the community together. ‘
As well, they are proudly one of Europe’s most sustainable and Earth friendly festivals. If you are somehow still not sold, perhaps the fact that, in Flemish, Pukkelpop directly translates to “Pimple Pop,” will do the trick.
There is no more time to sit around and dream of what the worlds of Pukkelpop may behold. This is the year to get up, get out, and explore the endless, fascinating worlds of Pukkelpop. Breathe in the refreshing air of truly sustainable minds, progressive community, and out-of-this-world alternative musical lineups!
As of Pukkelpop tradition, it is important not to miss their legendary pre-festival Boiler Party. So, the night before the festival begins, show up early, pitch your tent, and head on over to the party to warm-up with some eclectic shenanigans.
Do you enjoy your sleep? If you do (as not everyone does at festivals), bring ear plugs. It is said by many that there is constant yelling around the campsites at night. You can’t blame your fellow neighbors, though, they are just excited.
Instead, just pop in some ear plugs and leave them to their fun. Oh yes, and it is also common to hear the word, “hoeren!” shouted. Although the word means “hooker” in Flemish, don’t be offended— it is actually an endearing bonding ritual between campers. Perhaps join in?
It’s summer, so everyone should be wearing flip flops, right? Wrong. Pukkelpop is a big festival, and you will inevitably be doing a lot of stomping around.
For that, it is highly recommended to save some money on the pedicure and instead, wear some good shoes. As well, it is common in Belgium to have unpredictably wet weather, so it is also advised to bring along your beloved wellies.
As Pukkelpop is just a short drive from the sweet Belgian city of Hasselt, it is advised to take some time to explore this charming place.
If you are museum lover, you’re in luck! Hasselt has many museums, including but not limited to: Nationaal Jenevermuseum (on gin distillery), Bokrijk Openluchtmuseum (an open-air museum beside a castle), and the Fashion Museum Hasselt.
If you are a beer lover, you’re also in luck! Belgian beer is some of the greatest beer in the world. Breweries Hemelrijk, Stadhuis, and De Geletterde Mens are some of the best places in Hasselt to try these famous brews.
Aside from all of that, Hasselt also has a beautiful Japanese Garden, boat rides on the Albert canal, the stunning St. Queens Cathedral, and much more!
Unlike many multi-day festivals, Pukkelpop allows free entrance and exit during the 3 days. However, since the festival is quite a ways from the nearest town, it is most recommended to join in on the camping party.
Many festival goers say that camping is half the fun! Perhaps that is why Pukkelpop includes camping in the ticket. The campsites open up on Wednesday the 16th at noon and close Sunday the 20th at noon. There are 3 different options for camping:
This campsite lives across from the main action. It is a great place to hang out and enjoy the simplicity of either your own tent, or an upgraded tent offered by the festival. This campsite is only available to people with a combi-ticket.
This campsite lives a bit further from the festival. However, it’s still within walking distance and easily accessible by (free) shuttle. It is a bit more luxurious than Camp Chill, and much better for larger groups. As well, you can either bring your own tent or use of the upgraded tents the festival offers. This is option is available for both combi and day pass ticket holders.
This is glamping, Pukkelpop style. With private showers and bathrooms, WiFi, free lockers, a relaxing lounge area, a 24 hour help desk, and much more, this campsite may be worth the extra buck.
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While camping is an option, it’s certainly not the only option. If you prefer to rest up in tranquility and commute to the festival, there are several hotel accommodations nearby.
Booking.com
Two great options are either the superb Hassotel (with breakfast included) for only $141 a night,
Booking.com
and the other option is the exceptional Hotel Restaurant Vous le Vous for only $120 a night.
Booking.com
Also, if you are either traveling alone or on a tighter budget, Hostel H (A.K.A City Hostel) is a great, clean hostel in Hasselt for only $30 a night for a dorm bed.
As Pukkelpop has attracted in over 180,000 in years past, it is highly recommended to reserve a room ahead of time using a website such as booking.com.
Pukkelpop does an outstanding job at providing it’s attendees with top-notch food to fuel their persistent partying. Their food station goes by the name of Food Wood, and it’s options are stupendous. Whether you prefer juicy hamburgers, delicious waffles, or even fried worms (yes, fried worms), Food Wood will have your fix.
As well, Pukkelpop prides itself in offering many gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options, so at Food Wood you will also find some delectable plant-based fuel such as falafel gyros, mixed salads, and even gluten-free/vegan pizza.
It is highly recommended to take the time to explore Hasselt before or after the festival; it’s a beautiful city with fantastic restaurants.
If you would like to treat yourself to some rich, authentic European soups, Zuppa is a great and affordable restaurant.
Also, if you are yearning to wine and dine after a long and exciting weekend, De Kwizien is an exquisite restaurant with French and Belgian cuisine, a thorough wine selection, and greatly praised salmon dishes.
The closest and more accessible airport to Hasselt is going to the Brussels Airport. It is international, and there are shuttles, taxis, and buses at the airport to get you to bus and train stations. As well, there are car rental services at the airport. Directions to Hasselt from Brussels are listed below!
At platform 3 at the Brussels-Central train station, you can take a train via InterCity train services directly into Hasselt. The ride will take about 1 hour and 15 minutes and it will cost $9-$14.
From the Brussels-North bus station you can take the FlixBus service straight into Hasselt for only $4-$8. The ride should take about 1 hour and 20 minutes.
From Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, you will want to get on E40. Continue on E40 until you reach E314, and take that. Follow E314 until you reach exit 27-Hasselt-West. Then, continue on N2 until you reach Hasselt.
This train ride requires a stopover in Brussels, but is still pretty straight forward. From the Paris Nord train station, you are going to take the Thalys train service to Brussels-Midi station.
From Brussels-Midi, you will take a train via InterCity train services directly into Hasselt. The trip should take 3 hours and 25 minutes (not including stopover time) and cost from $89-$130.
From the Paris OCG airport, you can take a flight with Brussels Airlines straight into Brussels, and from there, you can take a cab over to the Brussels-Central train station. From there, you will take a train via InterCity train services directly into Hasselt. The trip will cost from $100-$250 and take about 4 hours.
From Paris, you are going to want to get on the A1 until you reach A2, then turn onto A2. Follow A2 until E19, then take E19 all the way into Brussels. When you see E40, take that until you reach E314. Turn onto E314 and drive to Kuringersteenweg/N2 in Hasselt, België. Take exit 27-Hasselt-West and continue on N2 until you are in Hasselt.
From the Amsterdam Centraal train station, you can take a train via InterCity services to Maastricht Station. From there, you can take the De Lijn bus service to Hasselt Molenpoort station in Hasselt. The trip should take about 4 hours and 20 minutes and cost $30-$50.
From Amsterdam, you can take an Air Express bus to the Eindhoven Airport. From there, you can take the Hermes bus line to Eindhoven Station. From the Eindhoven Station, you can take the FlixBus service straight into Hasselt. The trip will take about 4 and a half hours (plus stopover time) and cost about $30-$40.
Start off on A2 in Amsterdam, and follow that to Provincialeweg/N397 in Eersel. From there, take exit 30-Eersel. Then, continue on N397 until you reach Noord Zuid Verbinding in Lommel, België and continue on that until you reach N715. Follow N715 to Minderbroedersstraat in Hasselt, and you are there!
Start off at the Berlin Hbf (tief) train station, and take an InterCity train to Köln Hbf. From Köln Hbf take the Thalys train service to Liège-Guillemins. From Liège-Guillemins, take the Belgian Railways to Hasselt. The total trip (not including stopovers) should take about 8 hours and cost from $140- $200.
From Berlin, take the Leo bus service to the Amsterdam Sloterdijk station. From there, you can take the FlixBus service to Hasselt. The trip should take about 12 and a half hours (not including stopovers) and cost $30-$50.
You are going to want to start off on A2. Then, you are going to want to stay on A40 and A73 until you reach Grote Baan/N715 in Houthalen-Helchteren, België. From there,take exit 29-Houthalen-Helchteren and continue on Grote Baan/N715 until you reach Kempische Steenweg. Take Kempische Steenweg until you reach Minderbroedersstraat in Hasselt.
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Pukkelpop is old— it was founded back in 1985 by a Belgian politician, Chokri Mahassine, and the Humanistic Youth of Leopoldsburg.
It hasn’t always been so huge and iconic, however, it started off as wee little single-day festival in the quaint village of Leopoldsburg (about 25km from it’s current home) with headliner Anne Clark.
As huge and successful as Pukkelpop is now, they have most definitely had some bumps in the road. The worst bump, by far, has been the 2011, which wasn’t even able to make it past the first day.
A severe thunderstorm, torrential rain, and fierce winds came in by complete surprise and shocked the festival. Several tents, signs, and video screens toppled over and much equipment was damaged immediately.
The very worse of the incidents caused by this storm, however, was when uprooted trees crashed onto one of the stages. The storm injured over 100 attendees and killed 5.
Since the tragedy, Pukkelpop has been in mourning and has taken many, many precautions to optimize the safety of their festival— despite the circumstances, it is probably one of the safest festivals around.
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