Paaspop director warns of legal action over proposed festival levy

Paaspop director Peter Sanders says he hopes to reach an agreement with Meierijstad council over a new €1.50-per-visitor levy on three local festivals, warning that he may take legal action if talks fail.

The council voted on Thursday to apply the charge to category C events, citing visitors’ use of local infrastructure and facilities. The levy will not apply next year; it is due to take effect on 1 January 2028. The three festivals named are Paaspop, 7th Sunday and Harmony of Hardcore.

Sanders told ANP he believes it is unfair to select only three of more than 150 events for the extra charge. Paaspop draws about 40,000 visitors a day over three days, he said. He described the festival as part of the region’s culture and said he wanted it encouraged rather than financially drained.

Meierijstad deputy mayor Luc van den Tillaart wants to discuss the measure with the festivals. Sanders said he hoped they could strike a deal; otherwise, he said, Paaspop would look at how to overturn the levy and would go to court.

Sanders also called for research into the festival’s actual costs to the municipality. Councillor Mirjam van Esch, of the Hart party, put the annual costs of the festivals at about €123,000. The additional levy would raise more than €307,000 a year, according to the report.

Sanders said he did not want to raise ticket prices, arguing that this would make the festival less accessible. He said any extra cost would have to come out of the festival itself and its programme. Paaspop is scheduled for 26–28 March next year.