Milkshake Festival (Amsterdam) 2026
- 25 Jul 2026 – 26 Jul 2026
- Amsterdam
Over the past decade Milkshake Festival has grown from a quirky side project dreamed up by a handful of Amsterdam club promoters into a full‑blown summer ritual. It started when the teams behind Paradiso and AIR decided that the city's dance scene needed a party that could be cheeky and inclusive in equal measure. They were tired of line ups that looked like fashion shows and crowds that felt policed, and they imagined a place where people of every gender, size and sexuality could wear what they wanted, kiss who they wanted and dance until their feet hurt. The first edition was little more than a few tents in a park, but word spread fast, and soon this experiment became one of the Netherlands' most talked about festivals, attracting visitors from across Europe and beyond. One thing that hasn't changed since those early days is the sense that everyone is welcome; you can expect to see drag queens in seven‑inch heels next to leather girls, gym lads, experimental artists and couples celebrating their anniversary.
The 2026 festival promises to be the most ambitious yet. It will take place on Saturday 25 July and Sunday 26 July in Westerpark, a sprawling green space in the west of Amsterdam that was once an industrial gasworks and is now home to galleries, breweries and cafés. Gates open at midday and the music keeps going until 11 at night. Organisers have announced that nine distinct stages will pop up across the park, each offering a different slice of the Milkshake universe. There will be a main stage where big name DJs deliver crowd‑pleasing sets of house and pop, and a techno tent where you can lose yourself in deep bass until the sun sets. A disco stage with glitter balls and soul singers will sit alongside one devoted to R&B and urban sounds, and there will also be smaller spaces for spoken word, poetry slams and experimental performance art. In 2025 there was a hidden cabaret stage tucked under a line of trees where drag kings performed comedy routines; rumours suggest that something similarly offbeat will return.
The entertainment goes far beyond the music. Milkshake has always mixed carnival and club culture, and 2026 will be no exception. A small fairground will materialise at the edge of the park, complete with bumper cars, a Ferris wheel and old‑fashioned swing seats. Somewhere else a roller disco invites skaters in outrageous costumes to show off their moves, while a voguing catwalk dares participants to strut, dip and twirl in front of a raucous crowd. Past editions have featured surprise catwalk contests judged by ballroom legends, and drag queens known from Dutch television offering impromptu performances. Food stalls offer everything from Dutch pancakes and bitterballen to vegan ramen, and there are shaded areas filled with beanbags and sofas where you can recharge between sets. Volunteers hand out sunscreen and water, free water taps dot the site and gender‑neutral toilets make the festival feel safe for all bodies. It is strictly an 18+ event, which allows the organisers to create an environment where adults can express themselves without worrying about families looking on. Security is present but low‑key; if problems arise they are dealt with quickly, but for the most part the vibe is friendly, with strangers cheering each other on and offering compliments.
Because the festival is so closely tied to the local pride season, tickets tend to sell out early. Milkshake is often referred to as the unofficial start of Amsterdam Pride week, and in years when the city hosts larger events like EuroPride or WorldPride the demand is even higher. If you are planning to attend in 2026 it is wise to buy passes as soon as they go on sale. Accommodation near Westerpark, such as the hotels in the Westergas cultural complex, fills up quickly too, but the park is easy to reach from other neighbourhoods. Buses 18 and 21 and tram 19 stop nearby, and you can cycle from the city centre in about ten minutes, which is how most locals choose to travel. There are large bike parking areas by the gates. Driving is discouraged because parking spaces are limited and car access around the park is restricted during the festival.
Many visitors use Milkshake as an excuse to explore Amsterdam. Westerpark itself is worth wandering, with its ponds, art installations and weekend markets. Nearby Jordaan is full of narrow streets lined with boutiques and cafés. On a sunny morning between festival days you might rent a bike and ride to Vondelpark or take a canal cruise. The city’s museums and galleries provide a calm counterpoint to the festival’s exuberance: the Rijksmuseum’s Golden Age paintings, the moving diary pages at the Anne Frank House and the vibrant modern art of the Stedelijk Museum are all a tram ride away. After dark, the bars and clubs of the Reguliersdwarsstraat and Warmoesstraat districts keep the party going; many of them host Milkshake afterparties where local and international DJs spin until dawn.
One thing that sets Milkshake apart from other events is the way it manages to be both hedonistic and socially aware. The organisers work closely with lgbtq+Q and cultural charities, raising money for projects supporting queer youth, HIV research and anti‑racism initiatives. You will find information stands run by advocacy groups and occasional workshops on topics like body positivity and safer sex. This community spirit gives the weekend a depth that goes beyond its glitter and glamour.
Writing about Milkshake Festival 2026 feels almost like trying to describe a dream, because part of the appeal lies in the unexpected: the moment a complete stranger shares their umbrella with you during a brief rain shower, or when a group of friends in matching outfits pull you into their dance circle. It is chaotic and tender, a little rough around the edges and yet carefully thought through. If you are the type of person who loves music festivals but sometimes feels boxed in by rigid dress codes or impersonal vibes, Milkshake is likely to feel like a breath of fresh air. Keep an eye on the official site at https://www.milkshakefestival.com/events for line‑up announcements and practical details as the dates approach. By the time the last notes fade away on Sunday night, you might be tired and dusty, but chances are you will already be dreaming of coming back the following year.
The 2026 festival promises to be the most ambitious yet. It will take place on Saturday 25 July and Sunday 26 July in Westerpark, a sprawling green space in the west of Amsterdam that was once an industrial gasworks and is now home to galleries, breweries and cafés. Gates open at midday and the music keeps going until 11 at night. Organisers have announced that nine distinct stages will pop up across the park, each offering a different slice of the Milkshake universe. There will be a main stage where big name DJs deliver crowd‑pleasing sets of house and pop, and a techno tent where you can lose yourself in deep bass until the sun sets. A disco stage with glitter balls and soul singers will sit alongside one devoted to R&B and urban sounds, and there will also be smaller spaces for spoken word, poetry slams and experimental performance art. In 2025 there was a hidden cabaret stage tucked under a line of trees where drag kings performed comedy routines; rumours suggest that something similarly offbeat will return.
The entertainment goes far beyond the music. Milkshake has always mixed carnival and club culture, and 2026 will be no exception. A small fairground will materialise at the edge of the park, complete with bumper cars, a Ferris wheel and old‑fashioned swing seats. Somewhere else a roller disco invites skaters in outrageous costumes to show off their moves, while a voguing catwalk dares participants to strut, dip and twirl in front of a raucous crowd. Past editions have featured surprise catwalk contests judged by ballroom legends, and drag queens known from Dutch television offering impromptu performances. Food stalls offer everything from Dutch pancakes and bitterballen to vegan ramen, and there are shaded areas filled with beanbags and sofas where you can recharge between sets. Volunteers hand out sunscreen and water, free water taps dot the site and gender‑neutral toilets make the festival feel safe for all bodies. It is strictly an 18+ event, which allows the organisers to create an environment where adults can express themselves without worrying about families looking on. Security is present but low‑key; if problems arise they are dealt with quickly, but for the most part the vibe is friendly, with strangers cheering each other on and offering compliments.
Because the festival is so closely tied to the local pride season, tickets tend to sell out early. Milkshake is often referred to as the unofficial start of Amsterdam Pride week, and in years when the city hosts larger events like EuroPride or WorldPride the demand is even higher. If you are planning to attend in 2026 it is wise to buy passes as soon as they go on sale. Accommodation near Westerpark, such as the hotels in the Westergas cultural complex, fills up quickly too, but the park is easy to reach from other neighbourhoods. Buses 18 and 21 and tram 19 stop nearby, and you can cycle from the city centre in about ten minutes, which is how most locals choose to travel. There are large bike parking areas by the gates. Driving is discouraged because parking spaces are limited and car access around the park is restricted during the festival.
Many visitors use Milkshake as an excuse to explore Amsterdam. Westerpark itself is worth wandering, with its ponds, art installations and weekend markets. Nearby Jordaan is full of narrow streets lined with boutiques and cafés. On a sunny morning between festival days you might rent a bike and ride to Vondelpark or take a canal cruise. The city’s museums and galleries provide a calm counterpoint to the festival’s exuberance: the Rijksmuseum’s Golden Age paintings, the moving diary pages at the Anne Frank House and the vibrant modern art of the Stedelijk Museum are all a tram ride away. After dark, the bars and clubs of the Reguliersdwarsstraat and Warmoesstraat districts keep the party going; many of them host Milkshake afterparties where local and international DJs spin until dawn.
One thing that sets Milkshake apart from other events is the way it manages to be both hedonistic and socially aware. The organisers work closely with lgbtq+Q and cultural charities, raising money for projects supporting queer youth, HIV research and anti‑racism initiatives. You will find information stands run by advocacy groups and occasional workshops on topics like body positivity and safer sex. This community spirit gives the weekend a depth that goes beyond its glitter and glamour.
Writing about Milkshake Festival 2026 feels almost like trying to describe a dream, because part of the appeal lies in the unexpected: the moment a complete stranger shares their umbrella with you during a brief rain shower, or when a group of friends in matching outfits pull you into their dance circle. It is chaotic and tender, a little rough around the edges and yet carefully thought through. If you are the type of person who loves music festivals but sometimes feels boxed in by rigid dress codes or impersonal vibes, Milkshake is likely to feel like a breath of fresh air. Keep an eye on the official site at https://www.milkshakefestival.com/events for line‑up announcements and practical details as the dates approach. By the time the last notes fade away on Sunday night, you might be tired and dusty, but chances are you will already be dreaming of coming back the following year.