Lokerse Feesten Sets Record: 135,000 Visitors, 65,000 Online
The Lokerse Feesten, one of Belgium’s most beloved music festivals, has closed its 51st edition with a new attendance record. Over the ten-day event, 135,000 visitors made their way to the Grote Kaai in Lokeren, while an additional 65,000 viewers followed the concerts via livestream, according to VRT NWS. This marks the fourth attendance record the festival has set in just five years.
A Year of Confirmation
The 51st edition, which ran from July 31 to August 9, was described by organizers as “the year of confirmation.” Following last year’s 50th anniversary celebration, the festival invested heavily in a new stage design and a renewed festival experience, creating what organizers call an “arena feeling.”
“Last year we invested heavily in a kind of arena feeling. We received many compliments from artists for that. We were able to confirm that this year,” said Steven Latré, spokesperson for the festival.
The strong ticket sales ahead of the event had already signaled a promising edition. “The advance sales were really great, with the Lenny Kravitz performance immediately sold out. The combo tickets were also completely sold out within just 24 to 48 hours,” Latré told VRT NWS. Five of the ten festival days were completely sold out.
International Headliners and Growing Digital Reach
The lineup featured an impressive roster of international stars, including Diana Ross, Lenny Kravitz, Editors, Oscar and the Wolf, Tom Odell, The Human League, Gary Numan, Soft Cell, Dropkick Murphys, Xavier Rudd, and The Streets. The festival closed on Sunday evening with a DJ night featuring Lost Frequencies and Netsky.
The festival’s digital audience has also grown significantly. This year, 65,000 viewers followed concerts online, up from approximately 50,000 in 2025. “It started as a small experiment but has grown into a full-fledged additional audience,” Latré explained. Part of the concerts remain available on VRT MAX for a year.
According to RTBF, the organization reports growth of more than 10 percent over the last five years. The 2025 (50th) edition attracted 131,000 visitors and approximately 50,000 online streamers.
From Neighborhood Party to International Festival
The Lokerse Feesten began in 1975 as a small neighborhood festival inspired by the Ghent Feesten. As VRT NWS documented, the first edition was just four days long with a budget of approximately 30,000 Belgian francs (about €750), funded by three local associations. The festival featured Walter De Buck and Toots Thielemans and turned a profit in its very first year.
Over five decades, the festival grew from a local event into a ten-day international music festival. It moved to the Grote Kaai in 1994 and introduced entrance fees in 1998, allowing organizers to book better artists. Notable past performers include Neil Young, P!nk, The Beach Boys, Van Morrison, Iggy Pop, Snoop Dogg, and Blur, according to Wikipedia.
Attracting World Stars
Despite the festival’s success, bringing international stars to Lokeren remains a challenge. “It’s never easy to bring a world star here. But we can now rely on 51 years of experience and a reputation that stands,” Latré said. He also credited the dedication of volunteers: “People give their best here for 10 days. That professionalism radiates and helps attract international artists.”
Minor Incident on Closing Night
During Netsky’s closing performance on Sunday evening, a small fire broke out at the lighting installation. The installation was brought down by technicians and extinguished with fire extinguishers. Damage was limited, and no injuries were reported.
Looking Ahead to 2027
The organization is already preparing for the next edition, scheduled for July 30 to August 8, 2027. “We take with us that we succeed in bringing strong international productions to Lokeren in a calm and quality way,” Latré said. “We are ready for a fantastic edition in 2027.”
As the festival continues to break records and expand its reach, both on-site and online, the Lokerse Feesten has firmly established itself as one of Europe’s most resilient and beloved summer music events. The next edition promises another ten days of music and celebration in the heart of East Flanders.