How long has Thunderdome been around?

A legend since 1992

Thunderdome has been running since 1992. That’s a seriously long time for a party that started as a crazy experiment in the hardcore scene. The first edition took place at the Jaarbeurs in Utrecht and was an instant hit. From that moment on, Thunderdome grew to become the ultimate symbol of hardcore in the Netherlands.

The '90s vibe

In the ’90s, Thunderdome hit the scene with massive venues, bizarre light shows, powerful beats, and its iconic wizard. The parties drew crowds of ravers who were still walking around with glow sticks back then. It was raw, fast-paced, and above all, new.

Breaks and comebacks

Thunderdome hasn't held an event every year. There have been hiatuses during which fans thought it might be over, but every comeback was bigger than the last.

25 Years of Thunderdome

In 2017, the festival celebrated its 25th anniversary. The Ziggo Dome was packed with old and new ravers who came for a dose of pure nostalgia. It was immediately clear that Thunderdome was far from over.

New generations

Since then, Thunderdome has been popping up more often. The crowd isn’t just made up of the original fans anymore. Now you’ll find students, young ravers, and everyone in between.

How old is Thunderdome now?

If you count from 1992, Thunderdome now has a history spanning more than thirty years. That makes it one of the longest-running party concepts in the Netherlands.

Why it's still alive

The music changes, but the vibe stays the same. Hardcore has a real sense of family, and Thunderdome is at the heart of it all. New ravers discover it, old ravers come back, and that’s how the party keeps going for generations.

Conclusion

Thunderdome has been around since 1992 and has been a hardcore icon for over three decades. With its ups and downs, comebacks, and an unbreakable community, it’s one of the most legendary festivals the Netherlands has ever produced.