Event Venue for Educational Institutions: Where Graduation Ceremonies, Anniversaries, and Open Houses Take Center Stage
Looking for an event venue for educational institutions that can organize a graduation ceremony just as impressively as an open house with thousands of visitors? At DeFabrique in Utrecht, you’ll find that combination. Schools, colleges, universities, and educational organizations choose this venue where solemnity and accessibility come together: students walk down the red carpet while parents and guests sit in the stands, or thousands of prospective students stroll past booths and presentations during an open house.
Industrial warehouses with over a century of history provide the backdrop. Not a cold, sterile space with rows of folding chairs, but a factory complex where each warehouse has its own unique atmosphere. From a symposium for a hundred scientists to a joint commencement ceremony for thousands of students and their families: the scale adapts to your program.
One address, four venue blocks, and a team that keeps everything organized while you focus on the educational program itself.
Why DeFabrique?
We started in 1921 as a factory producing linseed oil and cattle feed, grew into a compound feed manufacturer, and were given a new lease on life in 2001 as an event venue in Utrecht. That history is embedded in the walls: an old oil drum serves as a restroom, silos are overgrown with plants, and a vintage shower stands as a decorative piece among the guests. For a school, college, or university marking a special occasion, that character immediately gives a graduation ceremony, anniversary celebration, or symposium a distinct atmosphere that goes beyond that of a standard lecture hall.
Students can tell the difference between a graduation ceremony in an anonymous space and one held in a place with a story. A team of account managers, event producers, and project managers works with you every step of the way—from planning the route for thousands of visitors during an open house to managing the technology behind a livestream for parents who can’t attend in person. Together, we make history—whether it’s a school celebrating its first anniversary here or a university that has been holding its graduation ceremonies here for years.
That experience translates into clear agreements, a dedicated point of contact, and an approach that adapts to the needs of each educational institution: from a small gathering for a single faculty to an event attended by thousands of students, parents, and faculty members at the same time.
Benefits of an Event Venue for Educational Institutions
Choosing an event venue for educational institutions means choosing a place where a large group of students, parents, and guests can gather without any hassle.
Central location in Utrecht: We’re located on Westkanaaldijk, between the railroad tracks, the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal, and the A2. For students, faculty, and family members from all over the Netherlands, the travel time is always short.
Accessibility for international guests: Schiphol Airport is a short distance away, which is convenient for international students, visiting professors, or partner institutions flying in for a symposium or anniversary celebration.
Parking for large groups: 700 free parking spaces, fourteen charging stations for electric cars, and parking attendants to guide parents and guests during a graduation ceremony.
Public transportation with shuttle service: Maarssen Station is a fifteen-minute walk away, with trains from Amsterdam and Utrecht. For graduation ceremonies with hundreds of students, we provide an electric shuttle bus between the station and the campus.
Flexible capacity: From a symposium for 150 colleagues to a joint graduation ceremony for 3,500 students, parents, and faculty members—the four venue blocks adapt to the scale of your event.
In-house event specialists: Account managers, event producers, and project managers provide support from start to finish—from the program to the technical setup and communication with students and parents.
Custom catering: From a simple lunch between sessions to a lavish dinner for an anniversary celebration, always featuring local ingredients.
Sustainability: Green Key Gold certification, 334 solar panels, 99 percent LED lighting, and electric shuttle service align with the sustainability goals of many educational institutions.
What makes DeFabrique unique?
Industrial heritage. An old oil drum serving as a toilet, silos filled with plants, and a vintage shower as a decorative element: details from the factory’s past—built in 1921—pop up everywhere.
Four distinctive venue blocks. The Copraloods, the Kalvermelkfabriek, the Perserij, and the Smederij—each ranging in size from 903 to 1,887 square meters—lend a unique atmosphere to every part of an educational event.
21 flexible halls. A plenary ceremony, separate spaces for each faculty, and an information fair for an open house: everything can be arranged as needed.
Wide range of capacities. From 150 to 3,500 guests: it’s suitable for both a small master class and a nationwide graduation ceremony.
Technical support for every event. We tailor sound systems and LED lighting to suit a speech by the president, a roll-call graduation ceremony, or a panel discussion during a symposium.
Kartfabrique as a side event. A go-kart track on the same grounds provides an extra activity for a seminar, anniversary celebration, or team-building day, in addition to the official program.
Catering featuring local ingredients. From a lunch for teachers to a sit-down dinner for an anniversary celebration.
Together, we’re making history. This tagline is perfect for a school or university celebrating a graduating class, an anniversary, or the start of a new academic year.
For what kinds of events?
Educational institutions bring together a variety of events here:
Graduation ceremonies: From a single class to an entire graduating class walking onto the stage together, with parents and guests in the stands.
Open houses: Prospective students and their parents visit booths, presentations, and information sessions spread across multiple halls at the same time.
Symposia and conferences: Scientists, faculty, and students exchange knowledge during lectures, panel discussions, and networking opportunities.
Anniversaries: A school, college, or university celebrating an anniversary combines an official program with a festive dinner.
Meetings and gatherings for educational umbrella organizations: Administrators and executives from multiple institutions come together for consultations, strategy sessions, or joint decision-making.
Fairs and information markets: Student associations , faculties, or collaborative partners present themselves side by side in one of the warehouses.
For example, you can combine multiple venue blocks so that a graduation ceremony at the Kalvermelkfabriek flows seamlessly into a reception at the Copraloods, while an open house for another program takes place at the Perserij in the meantime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly is DeFabrique located?
We are located on Westkanaaldijk in Utrecht, a fifteen-minute walk from Maarssen Station. This spot between the railroad tracks, the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal, and the A2 makes the location easily accessible to students, parents, and guests from all over the country.
How many guests can attend a graduation ceremony or anniversary celebration?
Together, the four venue blocks can accommodate between 150 and 3,500 guests. From a graduation ceremony for a single class to a joint ceremony for an entire graduating class: the capacity scales to fit your program.
Is there enough parking for parents and guests?
The grounds feature 700 free parking spaces, along with 14 charging stations for electric cars and parking attendants to assist guests.
Can DeFabrique be reached by public transportation?
Maarssen Station is a 15-minute walk away, with trains from Amsterdam and Utrecht. When there is a large influx of visitors, we operate an electric shuttle bus between the station and the venue.
Does DeFabrique handle the technical arrangements for a symposium?
Yes: our technicians adjust the sound and LED lighting to match the program
Is DeFabrique suitable for an open house with a large number of visitors?
Yes. The 21 pavilions can be arranged as needed so that booths, presentations, and informational sessions can take place simultaneously without visitors getting in each other's way.
Does DeFabrique help plan catering for a large number of students and parents?
Yes. Our catering service uses local ingredients and can be tailored to your needs, from a simple lunch to a lavish anniversary dinner.
Is DeFabrique a sustainable choice for an educational institution?
Yes. We hold the Green Key Gold certification and use solar panels, LED lighting, and electric shuttle services, which align with the sustainability goals of many schools and universities.
Get in touch with our team
Do you have questions regarding our venue or the options for your event? We’re here to brainstorm with you and create a high-impact experience that perfectly matches your goals.
.jpg)