Come to the finals on Monday, March 2nd!
The Hague is a music city brimming with DJ talent! The 2026 Student DJ Contest received over 80 entries for this year's annual contest. Judge the finalists for yourself on Monday, March 2nd, starting at 6:00 PM at the Paardcafé.
While you're there, why not give them a dance? And you'll be the first to know who the professional jury will name the most promising student DJ, who will also perform on the SENA Performers Stage at the Liberation Festival The Hague.
The Hague's got talent!
Press release:
Student DJ Contest 2026 Turns Music City The Hague Upside Down
Young DJ talent makes itself heard in the heart of the city
On Monday, March 2, The Hague will be fully dedicated to young musical talent during the Student DJ Contest 2026. Students from The Hague will have the chance to showcase their DJ skills and compete for a spot on the stages of the Bevrijdingsfestival and the Club Hopping Festival.
The final at Paardcafé, starting at 6:00 PM and free to attend, promises to be an energetic spectacle for fans of electronic music and nightlife.
The Student DJ Contest provides emerging student DJs with a professional platform to present themselves to an audience, industry jury members, and potential bookers. Participants are judged on technique, creativity, track selection, and stage presence. The event emphasizes the importance of The Hague as a Music City, where creativity and talent come together.
"With the Student DJ Contest, we aim to encourage young talent and showcase The Hague as a city of culture, creativity, and nightlife," says the organizers. "The event uniquely connects students, music, and the city."
OPEN CALL: We are looking for DJs to take over the stages in The Hague!
DJ Contest! Are you studying in The Hague, do you have DJ skills, and do you want to perform at festivals? Submit your tracks!
A panel of professional DJs will choose the winner. The winning DJ will get their own performance slot at festivals in The Hague, including the SENA stage at the Liberation Festival on May 5th.
Will this be your breakthrough to a wider audience? Join in and win!
- All students from education institutions in The Hague (see list below) can participate
- DJs must be students in The Hague
- Your music should be danceable for a large audience
- Submissions are open until January 31, 2026, via this link and by following the steps below
What do you need to do?
- Upload a demo of 30 to 60 minutes on SoundCloud or Mixcloud
- Title your demo as follows: DJ NAME – Student DJ Contest – The Hague
- Send the link + tracklist to: dj@studyinthehague.com
- Include your personal details and biography:
- Name
- Address
- Phone number
- Which university (of applied sciences) are you attending?
- What is your program of study?
- What is your student number?
- Your DJ experience: where have you performed or where can your music be downloaded? (Include locations where you’ve played, hobbies, fun facts about yourself.)
Submit your entry by Friday January 31, 2026!
The final: where and when?
The demos will be evaluated by a professional jury. The best entries will be invited to the Student DJ Contest evening: on Monday March 2 at Paardcafé at Prinsegracht 10 in The Hague. In addition to performance slots, the winner will also receive a cash prize for performing on the SENA stage.
Participating higher education institutions
Students from the following institutions can enter the Student DJ Contest: The Hague University of Applied Sciences, Leiden University Campus The Hague, Inholland University of Applied Sciences The Hague, Royal Conservatoire, Royal Academy of Art, Hotel School The Hague, Institute of Social Studies, ROC Mondriaan, TU Delft Campus Den Haag.
Ikram won the Student DJ Contest 2025!