Cube

Weekend

2026:

driving

through

the

Veluwe

in

a

jeep

and

dancing

into

the

night.

Off to the Veluwe.

On Friday, October 2, we gathered at the office in Oldenzaal. The bus was ready, and all the preparations were in order. Our office manager had put together a bag for everyone containing tickets, a program, and all sorts of festival essentials. That came in handy, because at the start of the day, we knew one thing for sure: we were heading outdoors. So we had to think about clothing, layering, and above all, the question: how cold will it get tonight? After about an hour’s drive, we arrived in Otterlo. There, we started with an outdoor lunch. Fortunately, the weather cooperated quite well. In fact, for an outdoor weekend, we couldn’t have asked for better conditions.

After lunch, we were briefed on the program. We set off in 4x4 jeeps for a rally through the Veluwe. In small groups, we were given a route and some instructions. One person behind the wheel, the rest as navigators and support crew. Using an app, we tracked our distance, among other things, and of course we also had to try to drive in the right direction. Fortunately, we had plenty of time along the way to enjoy the surroundings. The snack box we’d been given had plenty of food for the trip, and the route took us past various spots in the Veluwe.

From sandy plains to cell towers.

The different groups took partly different routes and made stops at various locations along the way. For example, we took a walk through an area with vast sandy plains. From an observation tower, we had a beautiful view of the surroundings and learned more about the landscape. We also learned a bit more about nature along the way. After all, what exactly is the difference between a spruce, a pine, and a larch? And why does the forest look the way it does? 

Meanwhile, other groups ended up at a completely different part of the Veluwe: Radio Kootwijk. At this former radio station, we got a glimpse into the history of radio communication. The station was built at the beginning of the last century to connect the Netherlands with its overseas territories, including the Dutch East Indies. During World War II, the Germans used the station for military communications, among other things.

The water tower on the grounds also has a story to tell.

It was built to supply water to the transmitters, which required cooling water. And, of course, the imposing main building stood outm known as the Sphinx because of its shape. From radio communications and old buildings to underground aquifers: the Veluwe turned out to have a lot more stories to tell than just beautiful forests and sandy trails.

And of course, there was plenty of attention paid to the wildlife that roams the area today. With a little luck, you might spot traces of wildlife, and we learned about the rutting season and the impressive call that red deer use to communicate. In short: we hadn’t even been on the road for a day yet, and we’d already learned quite a bit.

From jeep to tent.

After an afternoon of driving around, navigating, hiking, and (above all) spending lots of time outdoors, we returned to the event location. But the program was far from over there. We were taken to our campsite, where a full tent camp was set up. A circle of tents, right in the middle of nature. First on the agenda was a barbecue. Everyone could join in for dinner, and afterward, the games were brought out: beanbag toss, Twister, and whatever else was on hand. The most enthusiastic players stepped up, while the rest cheered them on loudly. And then the Cube Festival began.

Cube Festival.

The music started, drinks were served, and festival mode slowly kicked in. With a DJ, a bunch of colleagues, and a location right in the heart of the Veluwe, the recipe for a fun evening was already complete. During the evening, Job took the floor for a brief speech. Demi was also honored, as she had taken on a large part of the weekend’s organization. Rightly so, because everything had been arranged down to the last detail.

Anyone who wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle (also known as the “low-stimulus crowd”) could head to the yurt. There, you could sit by the fire, catch up with friends, and warm up a bit. And for those who weren’t ready to go to bed just yet, there was, of course, always the option to keep the party going. Not everyone stayed the night, but for those who did crawl into their tents, one final outdoor challenge awaited: the night.

Good morning, Veluwe.

The next morning, it became clear once again why we’d chosen an outdoor weekend. The sun rose, the surroundings looked beautiful, and the Veluwe was at its best. Some woke up feeling quite refreshed and energetic. Others needed a little more time to process everything that had happened the night before. After breakfast, the group split up. Some set out to further explore the Veluwe on a hike, looking for all the sights and attractions the area had to offer. The other group put on their gloves for a kickboxing clinic.

There, they tried out various techniques and, of course, did a bit of sparring with each other. For some, it was mainly an introduction to kickboxing. For others, it was perhaps a slightly too enthusiastic attempt to shake off the effects of the previous evening. Either way, by the end, everyone was wide awake again.

Time to head home.

And just like that, the Cube “Weekend” was already over. We gathered our things, left our tents behind, and got back on the bus headed for Oldenzaal. So, just a one-night getaway, but one with all the trimmings: a road trip through the Veluwe, 4x4 jeeps, nature, history, a barbecue, games, music, a campfire, a festival night, a short night’s sleep, and a kickboxing clinic to wrap things up. And maybe that was exactly the best part of a one-night getaway: everyone could really let loose for a bit, and by Saturday afternoon we were back home and still had the whole weekend to recover from a successful Cube Weekend. Or, depending on how well you slept, especially from the tent.