There are various volunteer positions that you can indicate your preference for. There are backstage functions, public functions and coordinating functions. Below you will find an overview with a short description per function.
Please read all job descriptions carefully and consider which team you prefer before filling out the application form. You can fill out three preferences in the application form.
To give a better idea of the positions, this year we have indicated with stars what qualities fit the different teams. Do you like to be active and sitting still is not for you? Then you are the ‘physical party’ we are looking for! Of course, there are also plenty of positions where the ‘social butterfly’ can flutter delightfully and contact with audiences, artists or fellow volunteers is paramount. Or are you a real whizzkid and computers hold no secrets for you? Take a look at the functions that many stars have at the ‘digital hero’. For anyone who is a jack of all trades and enjoys doing many different jobs, the positions that score high on ‘omnivore’ are highly recommended.
NB: the construction and dismantling of the festival can be combined with another function during the festival period from Friday 13 to Sunday 22 June. During the festival period it is not possible to combine functions.


Backstage positions
The construction period is a fun time with a small, close-knit team where you see the festival develop from the very beginning. As a builder, you help to build and decorate the festival. Under the supervision of a location manager and theater groups, tents are built, barns are cleaned out, cables are pulled and stuff is carried. But even without mega muscles, you can make yourself useful during the construction by painting signs, making decorations for the Festival Heart and supporting the catering for crew & volunteers. During the construction period, you will often work outside all day. If you have two right hands and are in good physical condition, then this is definitely a position for you (and perhaps the dismantling too ;-))!
The build-up continues until the first day of the festival because there are often still jobs to be done. If you want to be in another team during the festival, you can indicate in consultation with your subco whether you want to build up another day or go to your festival team already.
You can choose to only do the construction, in which case you will receive the volunteer allowances (camping, discount on bicycle, crew meal) until Sunday 15 June.
Physical party: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Social butterfly: ⭐⭐
Digital hero: ⭐
Omnivore: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
After 10 days of festival we dismantle all locations in about 4 days, of course always with a bit of mixed feelings….: it’s over again! Tree trunk stands, theatre company sets, army tents, furniture in the crew catering locations and festival heart: the enormous amount of stuff and materials that were used to build Oerol Festival are carefully dismantled, cleared and stored again.
We are looking for enthusiastic go-getters with a lot of energy who come fresh from the shore and/or still have energy left after 10 days of festival to leave the island at least as good as we found it. You will work in a small team, mainly outside and will go over the entire island.
+++ Because it is of course no fun to clean up the party alone if you did not celebrate it yourself, you will receive 2 Oerol festival days as a gift from us with this position (camping Friday night and Saturday night, discount on bicycle, crew meals) in exchange for your efforts during the 4 dismantling days (Sunday to Wednesday).
Physical party: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Social butterfly: ⭐⭐
Digital hero: ⭐
Omnivore: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
After last year’s success, we now have the Artists, professionals & press desk at the harbour of Terschelling again. Here, artists, professionals and press can report when they arrive on the island. You are their first point of contact on the island, so it is your job to give them a warm welcome and help them on their way. You are a spider in the Festival web, ensuring that people get on the right bike or in the right car, have the right wristbands & dinner vouchers and you actively keep the producers of Oerol informed of changes.
For this position we are looking for hospitable people who can communicate clearly, keep a cool head when a boat arrives and many people have many questions. It also helps if you speak a decent word of English and are good with computers.
PLEASE NOTE : To make this role your own, we ask that you be available for at least 7 days.
Physical party: ⭐
Social butterfly: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Digital hero: ⭐⭐⭐
Omnivore: ⭐⭐
During the construction and the festival, hundreds of people work at Oerol. The office in Midsland is the beating heart of the entire Oerol organization. Many people visit the office every day: volunteers to register, residents with questions and requests, theater makers and artists with specific questions, etc. etc. In this position, you are the first point of contact at the office or volunteer desk and help people further.
All volunteers pass by the volunteer desk before they start their work. So you are the first physical point of contact for volunteers at this location! You provide all volunteers with information, you ensure that each volunteer receives the right equipment (festival wristband, t-shirt, possibly a discount card for performances, etc.). And – very important – you ensure that all administrative matters are in order! In addition to the work at the desks, you work closely with the Oerol employees in the office and together you are responsible for the beating heart of the organization; think of answering/forwarding telephone calls, laminating, distributing mail, watering plants.
For this position we are looking for people who enjoy giving everyone a warm welcome, like structured and accurate work and are good with a computer. It is a very social function where you have a lot of contact with your fellow volunteers, the volunteer coordinators and other employees of the Oerol organization.
We will make a rotation where you will sit in different places during your shift. For example, you can sit at the office desk, have support tasks or man the volunteer desk for an hour. A good way to get to know the organization inside and out.
PLEASE NOTE : In order for you to properly master the position, we require a minimum of 7 days’ availability.
Physical party: ⭐
Social butterfly: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Digital hero: ⭐⭐⭐
Omnivore: ⭐⭐
During the festival period, many people (artists and guests) and lunch are transported. As a driver, you ensure that everyone and everything ends up at the right place at the right time. It is important that you know Terschelling well: from Arjendune to Doodemanskisten, and from the Meertje van Hee to the Hoornse forest. As a driver, you see the entire island and meet many people. In addition, you are often the first contact on the island for our guests: we are therefore looking for hospitable, friendly and cheerful drivers!
NOTE: For this function you must have had your driver’s license for at least 3 years and be able to drive well! We ask for an availability of at least 5 days during the festival (from Friday 13 June)
Physical party: ⭐⭐
Social butterfly: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Digital hero: ⭐
Omnivore: ⭐
Sustainability is an important topic for Oerol, as a festival in a nature reserve. For years we have been committed to organizing the festival as carefully and sustainably as possible. An important part of making the festival more sustainable is optimizing our waste flows, which is why we will take a first step in 2025 with our Raw Materials Street. Waste consists of all kinds of different raw materials, by separating them better it can be processed and recycled much better. This means that we no longer have to burn or dump residual waste and that we reuse all consumables, recycle them high-quality or compost them, to which the Raw Materials Street contributes. With this we are taking major steps in making the festival more sustainable.
We are looking for people with a green heart who are not afraid to roll up their sleeves, get dirty here and there and who enjoy working (and thinking) about a new step in making Oerol more sustainable. In this way you contribute to the future and the continued existence of the festival on the island!
Physical party: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Social butterfly: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Digital hero: ⭐
Omnivore: ⭐⭐
Public-related positions
As a Variety volunteer, you will encounter a wide variety of tasks. One moment you will receive the public at performances, the next you will ensure that the street theatre is not hindered by cyclists and cars. You will have a lot of contact with your subco because they will tell you the day before which service you will get, where you need to go and who you will be working with. Do you like variety and do you enjoy getting a look behind the scenes of Oerol? Choose the Variety team!
Physical party: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Social butterfly: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Digital hero: ⭐
Omnivore: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
From early in the morning until late at night, you can visit the Festivalhart De Deining, near West aan Zee, during Oerol. At De Deining, you can see numerous catering establishments, programming and exhibitions. This vibrant place is looking for people who want to make sure that everyone feels at home at the festival heart! Is that you? There are two functions available for the Festivalhart:
Team Festivalhart
As part of a close-knit team, you ensure that the festival heart always looks its best. Tasks can include; fetching glasses, access control, rinsing glasses, keeping the terrace tidy, guiding the public at the festival heart and manning the bicycle shed for errors. Do you think it would be fun to be in the middle of the festival, welcoming visitors and all of this with the cool music programme in the background? Do you ensure that the festival heart always looks its best and that all visitors feel welcome? Then you will be in the right place in this team!
Hospitality employee Festivalhart
As a hospitality employee, you work behind the bar and ensure that all visitors are provided with a cold beer, a fresh cola, a hot cup of coffee or a meal. Some tasks you may encounter here are tapping beers, serving snacks, keeping terraces tidy and making coffees.
There are a number of bars at the festival heart, you can indicate where you prefer. If you already have certain knowledge, that is a bonus! You can choose from the following bars:
- Hospitality: de Deining – Bars
This includes the Fonteinbar and the Podiumbar. If you want to be in the middle of the festival heart with a view of the music, choose this team - Hospitality: de Deining – Special
This includes all the special bars; the wine bar, the coffee bar, the specialty beer bar or the cocktail bar. Do you have knowledge of one of these delicious drinks or do you want to gain this knowledge? Then sign up for this team! - Hospitality: Shine sublime – Rinsing team
Are you more of an introvert, but enjoy the hustle and bustle at the Festival Heart? On this team, you’ll make sure that all glasses on the festival grounds are collected and returned to the bars. In addition, you make sure the bars have sufficient supplies.
Physical party: ⭐⭐⭐
Social butterfly: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Digital hero: ⭐⭐
Omnivore: ⭐⭐⭐
At One for the Road you assist with the catering for all employees, artists and guests. A rewarding function in which you let around 700 hard-working colleagues enjoy a delicious lunch/meal every day. You help with preparing the meal, serving it and washing up. So; do you like to make people smile by serving a large plate of hot food, are you not averse to a scullery and do you have fantastic music lists for while washing up? Then sign up now for team One for the Road!
Physical party: ⭐⭐⭐
Social butterfly: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Digital hero: ⭐
Omnivore: ⭐⭐
Service Desks
To guide visitors as best as possible during the festival, there are service points at various locations. These service desks are manned by two different teams: the service team and the merchandise team.
Help wandering Oerol visitors find their way to the right campsite, theatre location or festival heart. You know the route to the most beautiful spots of the Expedition projects and tell guests about the best programming in the pubs and restaurants.
In addition to general information, you will also be the point of contact for questions regarding ticket sales and the issuing and sale of festival wristbands. Visitors can contact you with questions about ticket sales, oerol wristbands and a colleague can also be standing in front of you with questions about volunteer tickets.
PLEASE NOTE: for this function it is important that you are handy with computers and technology! In addition, you will also receive a lot of information about the festival. In order to properly master the function, we require a minimum of 7 days availability. You will receive a short training before your first shift.
Physical party: ⭐
Social butterfly: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Digital hero: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Omnivore: ⭐⭐⭐
Merchandise is sold at various points at Oerol. Think of clothing, posters, bags, etc. that are all specially designed for Oerol. For this small and close-knit team, we are looking for (customer) friendly and enthusiastic volunteers who enjoy selling visitors a nice Oerol souvenir. It is important that you can work accurately and are good at using a smartphone – our ATM looks a lot like one. In addition, you must enjoy broadening your sales skills and perhaps sharing your tips and tricks with your colleagues. “Yes, because who wouldn’t want such a beautiful Oerol shirt and yes, the weather can change suddenly, so if I were you I would also take the sweater and that hat also looks great on you!”
Physical party: ⭐
Social butterfly: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Digital hero: ⭐⭐⭐
Omnivore: ⭐
Tickets are sold for part of the Oerol program. These tickets must be checked on location by scanners. The distribution of the scanners is done by the Scanrunners team. A lightning-fast team that cycles across the island to deliver the scanners to the locations. You scan tickets, provide support for any technical questions during the run-in of a performance and then cycle to the next location. You cycle mostly on your own bike, but when the locations are far apart, you will be given an electric bike during your shift. In short, do you like to be on the road on your bike, do you want to have seen all the locations once? Then sign up for this team!
Physical party: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Social butterfly: ⭐⭐⭐
Digital hero: ⭐⭐⭐
Omnivore: ⭐⭐
Coordinating positions
If you enjoy taking on more responsibility and getting a good look behind the scenes at Oerol, consider a coordination position. These positions require longer availability.
As a subco you help the volunteer coordinators with managing volunteers. You will be given the coordination of a permanent team for which you are the first point of contact.
Before the festival, you will have telephone contact with all members of your team to get to know them, to get them excited and to provide them with information. In addition, you will fill in the schedule (and keep it up to date) that you received from the volunteer coordinators. During the festival, you will organize a meeting for your team every day and you will organize fun team outings. You will also attend a meeting with one of the volunteer coordinators every day.
So, are you super social and do you like to manage volunteers? Are you flexible and do you like to think in terms of solutions? Would you like to have a bit more responsibility and be able to manage your own time while making Oerol even more fun for your team? Then this position is right for you! For this position, it is important that you upload your CV with the application form.
Physical party: ⭐⭐
Social butterfly: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Digital hero: ⭐⭐
Omnivore: ⭐⭐⭐
For the stay of all volunteers, Oerol books camping places at various campsites on Terschelling. In order to ensure that the stay of these volunteers at these campsites runs smoothly, we need a host. As a host, you act as a point of contact for both the volunteers and the employees and/or artists of the campsite. You ensure that you welcome everyone upon arrival so that they immediately feel at home at the campsite. If volunteers cause a nuisance, we ask you to first solve this yourself. If this is not possible, the volunteer coordinators are of course there to assist you and help solve the problem, but we do need you to report it.
It is important for this function that you can be strict when necessary, while at the same time keeping the atmosphere at the campsite pleasant. As a campsite host you must be available for the entire period indicated. You are there when the first volunteers arrive and wave them goodbye at the end of the festival.
You don’t have fixed working hours. You will be very busy just before and at the beginning of the festival, but by the end of the festival everyone has found their place. You meet a lot of volunteers, it is a very social and fun function!
We have two camping hosts per campsite, so you can take turns.
Physical party: ⭐⭐
Social butterfly: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Digital hero: ⭐⭐
Omnivore: ⭐⭐⭐
More
Tickets
Volunteer Positions
Search
Oerol website
Blijf op de hoogte
Schrijf je in voor de Oerol nieuwsbrief
You can subscribe via your My Oerol-account.
Check the newsletter option(s) under your details.
Blijf op de hoogte
Schrijf je in voor de Oerol nieuwsbrief
You can subscribe via your My Oerol-account.
Don't have an account yet? Register here and check the newsletter option under your account details.