The first edition of Pukkelpop took place in 1985. The festival hosts a variety of international and regional acts. Pukkelpop has an eclectic programme of artists performing on one of the eight stages: the Main Stage, Marquee, Dance Hall, Boiler Room, The Shelter, Club, Chateau (after 2011 called Castello) and since 2004 the Wablief?! marquee. The last stage is the result of a collaboration with the Oppikoppi Festival in South Africa. Opposite the festival area (on the other side of the Kempische Steenweg) there is a free camping zone for up to 40,000 festival-goers. The festival is organised by Leopoldburg's Humanistische Jongeren (Young Humanists), with Chokri Mahassine as inspirer.  For some years Pukkelpop drew on average 130,000 visitors, but since 2009 the number of visitors has grown to 180,000. This makes it one of the largest music festivals in the Benelux. In 2008 and 2009 Pukkelpop organised Polsslage (Pulse Rate). This indoor festival, with an average of over 10,000 visitors, was organised in the spring at the Grensland Halls in Hasselt.