Utrecht will be going dark this week as the Summer Darkness festival, a celebration of the dark underground lifestyle, takes over the city. From August 5-9, the city center will be filled with the sights and sounds of another world. Music, art, literature, games, shopping and fashion will all be represented, with a gothic twist.

A long list of international bands and DJs is confirmed for the festival, with shows at both Tivoli locations, EKKO, as well as the Dom Square and the Catherine Convent. Some of the headliners include Lacuna Coil and Front 242. Other events include fashion shows held at the Domplein on Saturday and Sunday, and a market (free to the public) with vendors selling gothic/fantasy/underground wares ranging from clothing and makeup to music and books. The market runs Friday through Sunday, and there will be music performances throughout the market hours.

Multi-day and individual-day passes are available for purchase. Prices and purchase info can be found on the official Summer Darkness website. The site also contains a full listing of all events, times and locations, with most information given in both English and Dutch.

And hey, even if the event isn't your cup of tea, the city center becomes a great place to people watch, day and night.