Dance festival Draaimolen in Tilburg may remain at its current location, the MOB complex in Tilburg, until 2028. The future of the festival was uncertain, because it is held in vulnerable nature. The province and the organization of the festival have now made new agreements about nature and ecological protection. This gives the internationally renowned festival an extra three years to find a new location.
The decision comes after months of tension about the future of the festival. An alternative location was not found. The old mobilization complex is located in the Brabant Nature Network. These are areas in which nature must be able to develop in peace. Something that, according to the province, stands in the way of long-term events. However, there is now a temporary solution.
Strict conditions
The festival will be allowed to continue on site for the next three years under clear conditions: a maximum of two festival days per year, annual field checks with an independent ecologist and mandatory monitoring of light, noise and soil impact. The organization must report the results to the province every year. Other events remain prohibited.
According to deputy Stijn Smeulders, it is a matter of ‘balance between preserving a unique festival and protecting vulnerable nature’. The province still does not see other structural solutions for the MOB complex: the site will not remain a full-fledged event site, writes Omroep Tilburg.
Public support
The new agreements follow a turbulent period. After it became clear that the festival would have to leave the site, a wave of support arose. More than 25,000 people signed a petition, the organization addressed the Provincial Council and in September politicians passed a motion to once again look for solutions.
That pressure worked: additional legal and ecological substantiation of the Carousel Festival proved to be enough to make the requirements of the Environmental Act feasible. The province got to work again.
‘Unrealistic and incredibly relieving’
Relief prevails within the organization. “The news still feels unreal,” the Draaimolen organization wrote in a response. “We are beyond relieved and excited to share that the MOB complex will remain our home for now.” The festival thanks visitors for their support: “We would not have reached this moment without you.” The organization says it is ready to work on the 2026 edition ‘with new energy’.
It’s the municipality’s turn
The province emphasizes that the ball is now really in the municipality of Tilburg. In the coming years, the city must develop a new location where the festival can continue to grow in the long term. Previous discussions about the purchase of the MOB complex failed because the province considers the site too ecologically vulnerable for a busy events program.
For now, the festival can at least continue for another three years. The conditions will be laid down in a contract in the coming period. Further information about the 2026 edition (dates and ticket sales) will follow on Thursday, according to the organization.