Bevrijdingsfestival Groningen

What Bevrijdingsfestival Groningen does

Bevrijdingsfestival Groningen is operated by Stichting Vier 5 Mei, a Dutch non-profit foundation (ANBI status, RSIN 805227003) that has organised a free annual music and culture festival at the Drafbaan in Stadspark, Groningen every May 5th since 2001. The core product is a single-day, multi-stage festival (Mainstage, Sena Performers Stage, Hit the North Stage, Noorderpoort for Freedom, Paradigm Stage) with five thematic sub-products: House of Freedom (an interactive four-container art installation), MENA is Vrij! (Middle East/North Africa cultural programming), a Kids Area, the EXTO-Deck (extra-accessible viewing platform), and the Vrijheidsmaaltijd communal meal. Operational technology is light: festival management runs through SeeTickets for ticketing/CRM and a 2026 timetable integration with local start-up JAMR's live-music app. The festival draws 50,000–80,000 visitors with total reach exceeding 500,000.

The organisation is led by co-directors Ebel Jan van Dijk (creative producer) and Feiko Stobbe (head of production), supported by a ~10-person core team and a five-member Raad van Toezicht; festival execution relies heavily on a large volunteer workforce. Revenue is generated without any ticket sales to the public, drawing instead on four streams: government subsidies from vfonds, Gemeente Groningen, Provincie Groningen, the Rijksoverheid (BZK & VWS), and the Nationaal Comité 4 en 5 mei; tiered annual sponsorships (Brons €500, Zilver €1,000, Goud €2,500 excl. VAT); on-site food and beverage sales via a token system with a €1.93 reusable-cup environmental contribution and festival merchandise; and tax-deductible donations enabled by ANBI status. There are no parent companies, external investors, or venture capital participants; the foundation is independently governed and financed.

Name

Bevrijdingsfestival Groningen

Legal name

Stichting Vier 5 Mei

Website

https://bevrijdingsfestivalgroningen.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Stichting Vier 5 Mei operates Bevrijdingsfestival Groningen, a free annual May 5th liberation music and culture festival at the Drafbaan in Stadspark, serving 50,000–80,000 general-public visitors via multi-stage programming, cultural sub-products, and subsidies, sponsorships, and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cultural Event Services

NAICS

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events without Facilities (711320)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Cultural Festivals & Events Organizations (BPAGAHAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Cultural & Community Festivals (Ticketed) (THAJAFAI)

Keywords

• Annual music festival
• Liberation day celebration
• Cultural event programming
• Nonprofit festival organization
• Community festival services

Headquarters

HQ city

Groningen

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Sponsorships: Three-tiered sponsorship packages: Brons (€500), Zilver (€1,000), Goud (€2,500). Sponsors receive logo placement on website, main stage screens, VIP access, and kick-off invitations.
2. Government Subsidies: Funding from vfonds, Gemeente Groningen, Provincie Groningen, and Nationaal Comité 4 en 5 mei
3. Food & Beverage Sales: On-site catering and bar sales using munten (token) system. Reusable cup system with €1.93 environmental contribution.
4. Festival Merchandise: Festival merchandise sales at the venue
5. Cultural ANBI Donations: As a Culturele ANBI (public benefit organization), the festival receives tax-deductible donations with 1.25x personal income tax deduction and 1.5x corporate tax deduction for gifts

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Bevrijdingsfestival Groningen organizes and produces a free annual music and cultural festival held on May 5th at the Drafbaan in Stadspark, Groningen. The event features multiple music stages (Mainstage, Sena Performers Stage, Hit the North Stage, Noorderpoort for Freedom, Paradigm Stage), cultural and educational programming including House of Freedom, MENA is Vrij!, Kids Area, an extra-accessible EXTO-Deck, and a communal Vrijheidsmaaltijd (freedom meal). All programming is delivered free of charge to the general public.

Product overview

Bevrijdingsfestival Groningen is a free annual music festival organised by Stichting Vier 5 mei, held every May 5 at the Drafbaan in Stadspark, Groningen. The core offering is the multi-stage music festival featuring performances across the Mainstage, Sena Performers Stage, Hit the North Stage, Noorderpoort for Freedom, and Paradigm Stage. This is supplemented by immersive sub-products: House of Freedom (an interactive four-container art installation exploring the theme of freedom), MENA is Vrij! (a cultural programme of MENA-region music, dance, and community experiences), a Kids Area with family activities, an EXTO-Deck providing extra accessibility for visitors with mobility needs, a communal Vrijheidsmaaltijd (freedom meal), and practical digital tools including the JAMR app for schedule browsing and route planning, and a downloadable festival map. The festival is free to attend and funded through subsidies, sponsors, partners, and fund contributions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BFG: Abbreviated name for Bevrijdingsfestival Groningen, used on social media, merchandise, and sponsor communications.

Products and services

• Bevrijdingsfestival Groningen Music Festival Free annual multi-stage music festival held on May 5 at the Drafbaan in Stadspark, Groningen, celebrating Dutch liberation from WWII occupation with live music, art, culture, and community programming for the general public.
• House of Freedom Interactive art installation composed of four shipping containers where visitors actively participate in experiences exploring perspectives on freedom, emerging onto a central plaza for a small liberation celebration with music and community connection.
• MENA is Vrij! Cultural experience stage featuring Middle East and North Africa music, dance, and community, including performances by artists such as Newlife Choir, THE MIX, Roj Band, Dabke XTC, DJ Jewe, and BulgurKing, alongside a shared freedom meal and MENA Bazaar sensory meet-up.
• Kids Area Family area offering activities including Santelli Circus performances, creative workshops (tote bag making, flag crafting), a RazeOrama car track, football goal, bouncy castle, glitter tattoos, face painting, and a quiet play space for toddlers.
• EXTO-Deck (Extra Toegankelijk Deck) Extra-accessible viewing deck at the Main Stage for wheelchair users and visitors using mobility aids, supported by dedicated staff, nearby accessible WCs and catering, and pre-visit coordination via email or a Google Form to tailor support.
• Vrijheidsmaaltijd (Freedom Meal) Shared communal lunch on the festival grounds, prepared by chef Janny van der Heijden, featuring Vrijheidssoep (freedom soup) and a MENA-inspired monaqish dish with za'atar and cheese; free with mandatory pre-registration, designed as a moment of encounter and intercultural dialogue.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50,000-80,000 visitors annually from city and surrounding region
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Nationaal Comité 4 en 5 meicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment body that sets direction for commemorating war dead (May 4) and celebrating liberation (May 5). Established by national government in 1987. Provides handreikingen (guidance) to regional and local organizations. Organizes national programs for National Commemoration and National Liberation Celebration.
• Sena PerformersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMusic copyright organization providing sponsorship with Sena Performers Stage naming rights.
• NoorderpoortminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEducational institution and partner providing sponsorship with Noorderpoort for Freedom stage.
• Pop GroningenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal pop music organization supporting the festival.
• RTV NoordminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional broadcaster providing media coverage and partnership.
• NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational railway company partner for transportation information.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Stichting Nationaal Comité 4 en 5 mei: National coordinating body established in 1987 that sets policy for WWII commemoration and liberation celebrations, including the Bevrijdingsfestival network. Acts as both funder and strategic coordinator for Bevrijdingsfestival Groningen rather than a direct competitor.

Direct peers

• Bevrijdingsfestival Den Haag: Zuid-Holland edition of Bevrijdingsfestival, free-entry on May 5 with multi-stage programming and municipal/provincial funding. Same operational template, audience profile, and sponsorship structure as Bevrijdingsfestival Groningen.
• Bevrijdingsfestival Overijssel: Overijssel edition (Zwolle) of the Bevrijdingsfestival network, coordinated under Nationaal Comité 4 en 5 mei. Closely comparable in free-entry model, regional subsidy mix, and community-scale multi-stage programming.
• Noorderzon Performing Arts Festival Groningen: Annual performing-arts festival in Groningen city with subsidy and sponsor mix comparable to Bevrijdingsfestival Groningen. Shares local government funders, audience base, and free/affordable ticketing philosophy, though it spans multiple days.
• Welcome to the Village: Multi-day Northern Netherlands cultural festival in Leeuwarden (Friesland) with comparable regional audience, music-and-culture programming mix, and subsidy/sponsorship funding profile. Closest non-liberation peer in scale and positioning.
• Bevrijdingsfestival Amsterdam: Amsterdam edition of the national Bevrijdingsfestival network, also free, multi-stage, and subsidy-funded under the same Nationaal Comité framework. Comparable scale and audience model to the Groningen edition.
• Bevrijdingsfestival Utrecht: Regional edition of the same Bevrijdingsfestival concept in Utrecht, also held free on May 5 and coordinated under Nationaal Comité 4 en 5 mei. Directly comparable in mission, free-entry model, subsidy mix, and multi-stage community programming.

Broad incumbents

• Mysteryland: Long-running Dutch multi-day festival operating a paid ticketing and corporate-sponsor model. Comparable only as a Dutch outdoor music festival of established national standing; mission, scale, and audience differ substantially from the liberation-focused Bevrijdingsfestival Groningen.
• Pinkpop Festival: Largest multi-day pop/rock festival in the Netherlands with substantially higher commercial scale, paid ticketing, and national sponsor base. Comparable only in its Northern Netherlands anchoring and Dutch music-festival category positioning.
• Lowlands Festival: Major Dutch multi-day music-and-culture festival with paid ticketing and a broad sponsor portfolio. Shares the music-plus-culture programming ethos with Bevrijdingsfestival Groningen but operates at much greater commercial scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@bf050
• Facebookfacebook.com/BevrijdingsfestivalGroningen
• Instagraminstagram.com/bevrijdingsfestivalgroningen
• Xx.com/5meigroningen

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bevrijdingsfestival Groningen