Summer evenings full of music, picnics, and Breda gezelligheid: Brand Parkies
A small traveling circus
Brand Parkies is anything but a standard festival. It feels more like a charming travelling circus, which three times a week settles in another town and park, with a team of enthusiastic creators that almost feels like family. Many of them come from Breda; the Brabantian straightforwardness and gezelligheid are deeply woven into the DNA of Parkies.
What started back in 1998 under the name Valkenbergconcerten, which later became Palm Parkies, and since 2021 with Brand as sponsor, Brand Parkies. But the essence has always remained the same: free music evenings, accessible, for everyone. You don’t need to buy a ticket or climb over fences, just bring a blanket and enjoy ;)
Breda and Parkies
Although Brand Parkies takes place in several cities, Breda is the beating heart. The edition in the Breda park consistently attracts the largest crowd: sometimes as many as 8,000 to 9,000 visitors in one evening. “The audience here comes in two ways: you have the music lovers who stand at the front, and the people who come for the atmosphere. Bring a picnic blanket, a snack, a drink. And both groups are equally important,” explains Paul.
This division gives Breda its own character. The idea of the picnic blanket as a fixed part of the evening also originated here. A habit that is now inseparable.
More than one stage
Alongside the main stage, Breda also features the Despo Stage. “It started out illegally, set up by a guy from the audience. But it became so popular that we decided to embrace it. This year, we're adding extra stages and facilities around it. It is now the place for the younger audience.” Paul hopes that this group will eventually move up to the main stage, where the atmosphere is quite different, and that makes it all the more special.
At the main stage, there’s always a DJ or live music, alternating between regular headliners and local talent. “The opening act is always different everywhere. We work with local talent, and that brings a fresh energy. Every Monday, it’s a bit of a transition for the artists, but because we eat and hang out together, we've become a sort of family by Thursday.”
New this year: Parkies XL
In the summer of 2025, Brand Parkies will experiment with something new: Parkies XL. Only in Breda will Parkies take place once on a Saturday, not starting in the evening, but from 14:00. It will be an extended festival day until 22:00. This aims to see whether the extended programme still manages to preserve the unique, relaxed Parkies atmosphere.
Small but professional
Behind the scenes, Parkies is a well-oiled machine. The team works with fixed scripts but remains flexible and creative at the same time. From sound measurements with decibel meters to precisely allocating budgets. Everything is aimed at keeping the experience perfect, without fuss. Just: well-organised, with love for music and the audience.
What does the future hold? If it’s up to the organisation: even more local involvement, new forms of experience, and above all maintaining uniqueness in each city. The strength of Parkies doesn’t lie in growing bigger, but in working intelligently. Mainly with an eye for the city, the audience, and the atmosphere.
And you can feel that. Whether you come for the music, the wine on your blanket, or both. Brand Parkies is an indispensable part of Breda’s summer. One that refreshes you a little each time.