New Year’s can take many forms, and sometimes the most memorable ones begin on a dancefloor.
That’s exactly how Awakenings welcomed the year with their New Years series at SugarFactory — three events spread across December 30, New Year’s Eve, and January 1st. Each day had its own mood, but together they felt like one carefully shaped experience.
A New Chapter, Grounded in History
For years, Awakenings has been closely linked to the Gashouder — a former gasworks turned circular rave temple, and one of the most recognisable techno spaces in the city. It set a benchmark for immersive, large-scale events and became part of Awakenings’ identity.
Last ADE, that story expanded.
Awakenings introduced SugarFactory as a new home for their events — a former 19th-century sugar refinery dating back to 1863, tucked just outside the city centre in Halfweg. Raw, unpolished, and full of industrial character, the venue had never hosted a rave before.
Old steel pillars and towering halls remain fully exposed. Nothing softened, nothing hidden. Awakenings shaped the space to their signature standard while letting the building speak for itself. The space immediately made sense as a dancefloor — wide enough to breathe, tall enough to disappear into, and laid out in a way that kept people moving naturally.
That same setting became the backdrop for the entire New Years programme.
Three Days, Three Distinct Energies
What stood out across the series was how clearly each event had its own identity.
December 30 opened with a long daytime session, led by Gordo, East End Dubs, and Joseph Capriati. It felt like an invitation — letting people settle into the space and the sound.
New Year’s Eve shifted into night mode with a heavyweight lineup featuring Joris Voorn, Pan-Pot, and Speedy J. These were sets built for patience and depth, guiding the room through the final hours of 2025 and first hours of 2026 with power and confidence.
January 1st brought a different energy altogether. The daytime lineup — Eva Vrijdag, Malugi, LB aka LABAT, LAMMER, Lucky Done Gone, SAIDAH and DJ Gigola — had a playful, high-energy feel that worked perfectly on a daytime dancefloor. Current and full of momentum, it felt like the right way to start the year.
Standing on the dancefloor that afternoon, it was clear how intentionally the series had been programmed. Each day flowed into the next, creating an arc rather than a single peak.
A Space That Lets You Move
Inside SugarFactory, everything worked with the room. The sound system had been adapted specifically for the space — full, immersive, and clean. LED screens wrapped around the ceiling, creating a true 360° environment that shifted as the sets evolved, pulling the room together and keeping your focus exactly where it needed to be.
The two-level dancefloor encouraged natural movement throughout the space, while Awakenings’ iconic disco ball hung above the crowd, catching the light and giving the room a familiar sense of magic. It was a different setup from their ADE shows, and that difference mattered — a reminder that no two Awakenings events feel the same. Each one is shaped around the space, the moment, and the music, which is part of what makes returning again and again feel genuinely exciting.
Dancing Without Screens
One of the most refreshing parts of the New Years series was the no phone, no video policy on the dancefloor. Awakenings first introduced it during ADE, and seeing it carried through into the New Years events really showed how committed they are to creating a certain kind of atmosphere.
It’s not an easy rule to hold in a scene where phones are second nature — especially at large-scale events — but the impact is clear. The dancefloor feels more focused and more connected.
Without phones in the air, people just stayed in it. Eyes up, bodies moving, small moments between strangers that would normally get lost when everyone’s filming.
Starting the year like that felt genuinely special.
Care That Extends Beyond the Dancefloor
On the way out, Awakenings continued to introduce a small but meaningful initiative that was first introduced during ADE: a Goodbye Host stationed outside the exit.
Their role was simple — checking in with guests who were leaving, especially those heading home alone. A quick conversation, a chance to charge your phone, help with a taxi, or even walking a short stretch together if needed.
Nothing intrusive. Just care, extending a little further than the venue walls.
A Strong Way to Begin the Year
Awakenings’ New Years series didn’t feel like one big night stretched across three days. It felt intentional, thoughtful, and well-paced.
January 1st, in particular, stood out as a reminder of how good it feels to start the year on a dancefloor — surrounded by great sound, thoughtful production, and people who are there for the same reason you are.
Up next on the Awakenings agenda is Upclose on 16–17 May 2026, returning with a more intimate focus built around the niche side of techno and close-knit dancefloors, followed by Awakenings Festival from 10–12 July 2026, bringing the full outdoor scale the brand is known for. After the New Years series at SugarFactory, both feel firmly worth locking in early — tickets tend to move quickly once dates are out. Find full details and tickets on the Awakenings website.
Need a little help to plan your next Awakenings adventure? Check out these guides now!
Guide to Awakenings Festival
Awakenings Festival 2025 Review: Three Days of Techno, Community and Creative Energy
Awakenings ADE 2025: A New Era Begins at the SugarFactory
Ultimate Guide to Getting Ready for a Music Festival
