Zwarte Cross & camping

Zwarte Cross 2026 takes place from July 16–19, 2026, in Lichtenvoorde. Zwarte Cross is one of the largest music festivals in the Netherlands and the largest motocross event in the world. Every year, over 250,000 people visit the event in Lichtenvoorde, where they are entertained by more than 400 bands and artists on over 30 stages spread across 200 hectares. The motocross races include: Hero class, Eureka class, Moped class, Special class, Road race class, and Heavyweight class.

The festival, which was first organized in 1997 and was at the time solely a motocross event, has seen many major artists, including Status Quo, Presidents of the United States of America, Uriah Heep, Normal, Within Temptation, Mother's Finest, Di-rect, Tim Knol, Triggerfinger, Blondie, The Black Crowes, and the Kaiser Chiefs.

The 2025 line-up includes Dropkick Murphys, UB40, Kaiser Chiefs, Alestorm, Bökkers and Within Temptation, 'King of Pirates' Jannes, Ernst Bobbie & the rest, Palm Reader Professor Drabb (stand-up fortune teller), and Julian Marley & The Uprising, among others. A large part of the festival grounds will be set up as a full-fledged campsite (Walhalla), including the luxury campsite “Glamping in Grasnapolsky”. Please note: campsites are for ages 18 and over!

For information about tickets and camping, click here!

If Grasnapolsky or the regular campsites are sold-out or if you simply would like to camp a bit away from all the hustle and bustle, here’s our Top 3 campgrounds in Lichtenvoorde:

Camping Marveld in Groenlo. 20 min (6km) by bike from the festival grounds. Large family camping with pretty wooden cottages and campsites. Multiple restaurants and a sub tropic pool. Check out: Marveld Recreatie

Camping De Twee Bruggen in Miste. 28min (8km) by bike from the festival grounds. Glamping in safari tents with a view across the meadows…..then this is your pick. Nice pool, cosy restaurant, wellness and sauna. Also wooden chalets and campsites!

Check out: Vakantiepark De Twee Bruggen

Vreehorst Camping Winterswijk in Winterswijk. 32min (10km) by bike from the festival grounds. If you’re lucky and their sky-cabin is still available, you’ll wake up with a superb panoramic view on the nearby woods and meadows. Indoor- and outdoor pool, mobile homes, safari tents, campsites. You choose!

Check out: Vreehorst Camping Winterswijk