LARP in the Netherlands is a dense, volunteer-run scene of associations and foundations that run recurring weekend games, mostly high fantasy, in scout lodges, group accommodations and forest sites across the country. There are no tent cities of thousands here. Instead you find many small and medium games, a shared community calendar and, just across the border, the big German festivals. This guide explains how the Dutch scene works, which games have 2027 dates, and how to get started, even if you do not speak Dutch.
Looking for exact dates? See upcoming LARP events in the Netherlands in our LARP Calendar.
LARP in the Netherlands: What to Expect
Dutch players say "larp", and a game is usually an "evenement". The most useful starting point is LARP Platform, a Dutch community calendar for the Netherlands and Belgium. When we checked it, it listed 81 events: 10 in the rest of 2026 and 71 in 2027. Fantasy dominates, but the same list also includes post-apocalyptic games, sci-fi, historical and masquerade events, short larps and kids larps.
What a typical Dutch game looks like:
- a weekend game, often Friday evening to Sunday, on a fixed site such as a group accommodation or scout lodge;
- an association or foundation behind it, run by volunteers who also play, act as game masters or work the bar;
- a closed, organizer-written setting, often a world you join over many events;
- Dutch as the language of play, with pages written in Dutch.
How Dutch LARP Is Organized
Most games belong to a recurring series with numbered editions, such as Irrealis 27, 28 and 29 or Omen XXXIX and XL. You join as a player, and many series also need extras, called figuranten, which is a cheaper way to get a feel for the game. Ticket sales often close early, and the platform marks several 2027 events as closed, so plan ahead.
Dutch games are usually indoor-friendly. Irrealis, for example, states that participants sleep indoors at its venue, which makes the season longer than a tent-based festival. The same list shows a few games each month through the winter.
Best LARP Events in the Netherlands 2027
The dates below are the ones we could confirm on an organizer page or, where the organizer's site was not reachable for us, on LARP Platform, where the page names the organizer. We list only what we could check, so this is a selection, not the full calendar. Open each page again before you book travel.
Irrealis
Irrealis is an association that runs high-fantasy and steampunk games in its own world, which continues from its earlier settings. Its 2027 dates on LARP Platform are February 20 to 21 (Irrealis 27, a special), June 18 to 20 (Irrealis 28) and October 22 to 24 (Irrealis 29). All take place at Groepsaccommodatie De Roerdomp in Westelbeers, participants sleep indoors, the language of play is Dutch and the minimum age is 18. The setting is closed, and the organizers say they will accommodate requests made in consultation. See the Irrealis website.
Omen
Stichting Omen runs the Omen event twice a year with a large team of volunteers, and the organizers also take part as players, game masters, extras and bar crew. Omen XXXIX runs May 28 to 30, 2027, and Omen XL runs October 8 to 10, 2027, both at the Inka terrain in Zeeland, Noord-Brabant. The event page mentions up to 120 players plus as many extras as possible, and the language is Dutch. Ticket sales for both were marked closed when we checked, so it is worth following the foundation for the next editions. See the Omen website.
Ravenskeep Adventures
Ravenskeep is a LARP association whose game is set in the city of Ravenskeep in its own world, Mordath, with entities, gods and guilds. Its website lists Call 56 for May 21 to 23, 2027, and Call 57 for September 17 to 19, 2027. The site is in Dutch, does not state a venue and says the association aims to keep prices low. See the Ravenskeep website.
Expiatio (Youth LARP)
Expiatio is a youth larp for ages 12 to 18, set in a magical fantasy world, played outdoors in nature for one to three days. The organizer's site lists Expiatio 42 for April 2 to 4, 2027, and Expiatio 43 for September 10 to 12, 2027. LARP Platform places both at Ada's Hoeve in Ommen. If you are a parent or a young player, this is the Dutch entry point for teenagers. See the Expiatio website.
LARP Events in the Netherlands by Date
- February 20 to 21, 2027: Irrealis 27 (special), De Roerdomp, Westelbeers.
- April 2 to 4, 2027: Expiatio 42, Ada's Hoeve, Ommen.
- May 21 to 23, 2027: Ravenskeep, Call 56.
- May 28 to 30, 2027: Omen XXXIX, Inka terrain, Zeeland (Noord-Brabant).
- June 18 to 20, 2027: Irrealis 28, De Roerdomp, Westelbeers.
- September 10 to 12, 2027: Expiatio 43, Ada's Hoeve, Ommen.
- September 17 to 19, 2027: Ravenskeep, Call 57.
- October 8 to 10, 2027: Omen XL, Inka terrain, Zeeland (Noord-Brabant).
- October 22 to 24, 2027: Irrealis 29, De Roerdomp, Westelbeers.
The community calendar lists many more series than the ones above, including high-fantasy weekends, post-apocalyptic games, a sci-fi series and a wizard-academy game in Delft. We left them out because we could not check the organizers' own pages.
Genres and Formats in the Dutch Scene
High fantasy is the main genre in the community calendar, but the same list shows how varied the scene is. Besides fantasy weekends you find post-apocalyptic games, a sci-fi series, historical and masquerade evenings, steampunk, a wizard-academy game and short larps that last a single day. There are also kids larps, such as the Expiatio series for ages 12 to 18, which shows that the hobby is built to bring new players in.
Formats range from one-day games in a city venue to full weekends with sleeping on site. If you are unsure, a one-day or short larp is a cheap and low-commitment first step, while a weekend series lets you grow a character over many editions. Because most series are numbered, you can usually join at any edition, and many organizers publish their dates for the coming year in advance.
Fantasy Fairs Are Not LARP Events
Castlefest is a well-known Dutch fantasy festival. Its market page lists 30 July to 2 August 2026 and does not state 2027 dates, and it does not say that LARP is part of the program. Several merchants there sell LARP supplies. Treat it as a fair where you can meet players and see costumes, not as a game, and check its site for the next edition.
The Netherlands, Germany and Belgium
The Dutch scene is close to two neighbors. LARP Platform covers Belgium as well, and its list includes games in Herentals and Zutendaal. To the east, Germany has the large festivals. If you want a camp with thousands of players, look at our guide to LARP events in Germany. It covers ConQuest of Mythodea, planned for August 4 to 8, 2027, and DrachenFest, among others. Many players combine both: local weekend games through the year and one large festival in summer.
Costs, Language and Seasons
We could not find ticket prices on the organizer pages we were able to open, so we do not quote any. Ask the organizer, and check what a ticket includes, such as food, accommodation and extras. Costs are in euros. Expiatio and Ravenskeep both publish their pages in Dutch, and Irrealis and Omen state Dutch as the language of play. If you do not speak Dutch, write to the organizers before you register and ask whether an English-speaking player is welcome. The calendar shows games all year, with most in spring and autumn, and indoor sites make winter games realistic.
How to Find a LARP Game in the Netherlands
- browse the LARP Platform calendar and filter by genre;
- open the organizer's own page and read the setting, rules and age limit;
- watch for ticket sale dates, because some games close sales early;
- consider playing as an extra first, if the organizer offers it.
How to Plan Your LARP Trip to the Netherlands
- book early and note the ticket sale date;
- check the venue and whether you sleep indoors or in a tent;
- check the minimum age, since some games are 18 and up;
- read the rules and costume requirements for your game.
We do not sell weapons, and every event has its own weapon safety checks, so confirm what is allowed with the organizer before you travel.
Tips for First-Time LARP Players in the Netherlands
Start with a game that matches your language. If you do not speak Dutch, ask the organizers first, and consider a German or international festival for your first big event. Read the setting material, prepare a short backstory and message the game masters with questions about rules and safety. They are volunteers who enjoy helping newcomers.
Then build your look around your character. At LARPSHOPKEEPER we make polyurethane LARP armor reinforced with fiberglass. It is handmade and painted by hand in our workshop in Ukraine, in a general fantasy style, and we ship worldwide, including the Netherlands, where we already have customers. You get free recoloring in your colors, custom pieces to order, and instalment payments. If you are going with friends, group orders from 5 players get 15% off, and you can browse helmets to complete the set. Our customers have worn our armor at large events such as ConQuest of Mythodea and DrachenFest.
LARP in the Netherlands is friendly and well organized. Pick a game, check its page and join the next one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the LARP Scene Like in the Netherlands?
Which Language Are Dutch LARP Events Played In?
How Much Does a LARP Weekend in the Netherlands Cost?
Are There LARP Events Near the Netherlands in Germany and Belgium?
Event information is provided for orientation only. LARPSHOPKEEPER is not affiliated with the organizers. Please check dates and details on the official event websites.