Imagine stepping into a world where music, art, identity, and safety intertwine in a kaleidoscope of colourful freedom. That’s Milkshake Festival Amsterdam, the two‑day celebration of music, community, and unapologetic self‑expression set against the beautiful backdrop of Westerpark in Amsterdam. Returning for its 13th edition on 26 & 27 July 2025, Milkshake is not just an event—it’s an identity, a culture, and above all, a statement: for all who love.
From Humble Beginnings to Iconic Legacy
Born in 2012 through the partnership of Air Events, Paradiso Amsterdam, and eventually supported by Superstruct Entertainment, milkshake festival amsterdam began as a weekend party and has grown into a full city‑center festival with international acclaim. Though ownership has shifted—including IDs by SFX and later acquisition by KKR via Superstruct—its spirit of inclusivity, love, and community has remained unwavering.
The festival has long championed under‑represented communities—LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, elders, people of different body types, races, and genders. Since 2017, they’ve partnered with the For All Who Love Foundation, helping extend access and awareness, including family‑friendly Mini Milkshake experiences for visitors with disabilities.
Where & When: Westerpark Beckons
Set in the creative and leafy Westerpark, once a gasworks, now transformed into the vibrant Westergas cultural district, milkshake festival amsterdam takes over with nine stages across the sprawling park each day. It combines gritty warehouse vibes with lush greenery, tents, art installations and pop‑up performance zones.
Festival Details:
- Dates: Saturday 26 July (12:00–23:00) and Sunday 27 July (13:00–23:00, gates opening around 1 pm)
- Minimum Age: 18+ only, valid ID required on entry—no copies accepted
- Cashless: Bars, food stalls, and merchandise operate via card or mobile payments.
A Musical & Artistic Playground
Music Styles & Stages
Each day, nine curated stages deliver a juicy mix of house, disco, techno, R&B, pop, dancehall—with local gems and international headliners alike. Each stage is produced by a different promoter, giving a diverse cross‑section of sounds and vibes. From pulsating disco sets to hypnotic bass‑heavy live sets, it’s an eclectic feast.
Drag, Voguing & Visual Theatre
Expect opulent runway battles, drag extravaganzas, and spontaneous voguing competitions. One highlight is the voguing catwalk that allows anyone to join and express themselves in front of the crowd. Art installations, glitter cannons, living sculptures and surprise performances are scattered throughout the grounds.
Performance Artists
With over 1,000 performers across the weekend, festivalgoers witness aerialists, dancers, spoken‑word artists and activists blurring boundaries of stage and street. It’s as much visual theatre as it is a music festival.
The Heartbeat: Inclusivity and a Safe Space
Milkshake festival amsterdam core ethos is radical inclusivity: every form of love, body, desire and identity is welcomed and valued. The festival operates strict house rules—no sexism, racism, transphobia, homophobia, ableism, fatphobia, or hate of any kind is tolerated. Anyone violating the principles may be ejected immediately.
Accessible & Caring
The festival is designed to be accessible: ramps, paved main paths, road plates for wheelchairs, accessible bars, low‑stimulus rooms. Queerwatch, the awareness and care team, is on hand for support. There’s also a dedicated Trans Chill Out space and partnership with HandicapNL to support attendees with special needs.
Mini Milkshake: A Role Model Setup
On 25 July 2025—just before the main festival—a gentle afternoon “Mini Milkshake” is held at Westerpark, specifically for visitors with disabilities and their caretakers. It offers a scaled‑down but vibrant Milkshake experience, fostering participation from everyone. Volunteers, DJs, dance, and a non‑judgmental loving atmosphere.
Practical Info: Tickets, Food, Travel & Everything Else
Tickets & Pricing
- Individual day tickets (Saturday or Sunday) are priced at approx. €86.50, including entertainment tax. Afterparties at Paradiso or Westerliefde cost around €25–27.50. Milkshake Festival
- The weekender pass often sells out quickly. Tickets are available via the official Paylogic shop, with Ticketswap as the only authorized resale partner—others are not guaranteed valid. Milkshake Festival
- Ticket delivery: sent to main purchaser by 25 July—check spam folder. Milkshake Festival
Food & Drink
Milkshake is 100% vegetarian, serving up everything from wood‑oven pizza, Indian, Asian, Mexican food to crepes, smoothies, fruit bowls, cocktails, and ice cream. Many vegan, gluten‑free and dairy‑free options exist. Outside food/drinks are not allowed. Milkshake Festival
What You Can Bring
Allowed items include inflatable animals, empty camel‑packs, cameras, selfie sticks, condoms, foldable umbrellas, roll‑on deodorant, chargers. E‑bike batteries only allowed in a locker. Some standard items like glass, liquids, sharp objects, weapons, and nitrous oxide are prohibited. Milkshake Festival
Travel & Nearby Hotels
Westerpark is well‑served by public transit (trams 3, 5, 19) and easily accessible by bike. Bike parking is available near the festival entrance. Car parking at Transformatorweg (unguarded) is free on weekends. Drop‑off and taxi zones are also provided. Milkshake Festival
Hotels nearby include the Conscious Hotel Westerpark (“Magic Milkshake Hotel”), Hotel2Stay, Holiday Inn Express, Ibis City West—some offering festival goodies and breakfast packages. Milkshake Festival
A Controversy That Tested Its Values
In early 2025, Milkshake encountered a serious backlash after initially booking Azealia Banks as a headline act. Given her history of transphobic and homophobic statements, many in the LGBTQIA+ community voiced outrage. Milkshake ultimately cancelled her slot, admitting “we made a mistake.” Multiple artists withdrew, especially under the banner of the artist group Ravers for Palestine, partly in protest of festival ownership by KKR. Reddit+5Wikipedia+5Reddit+5
A Reddit commenter noted:
“Milkshake… people weren’t thrilled. The backlash was so strong that the festival had to … cancel her booking.” Reddit
This episode tested the festival’s integrity and community trust—but it reaffirmed that its values of inclusivity aren’t performative. The swift cancellation and public accountability resonated with fans who expect festival organizers to live up to their mission. RedditReddit
Why Milkshake Festival Amsterdam Feels Different
It’s a Movement, Not Just a Party
Milkshake festival amsterdam is a declaration of identity: “People are the salt of the earth,” they say, and they celebrate that diversity wholeheartedly. Whether it’s drag, voguing, techno, R&B, samba, or spoken word—the festival is built to empower people to show up exactly as they are. Amsterdam NOW+4Milkshake Festival+4Milkshake Festival+4
Real Communities, Real Impact
Its partnership with the For All Who Love Foundation isn’t just tokenism. It actively funds inclusion projects—like Mini milkshake festival amsterdam and outreach programs around acceptance, aging, disability, and queer elder care. Volunteers, organisers, and queer activists co-create the festival. Reddit+15Milkshake Festival+15Milkshake Festival+15
Vibrant, Bold Atmosphere
Costume play, glitter, feathers, neon, full drag glam or bare‑minimalist beachwear—it’s all there. Expect immersive fashion, DIY designs, runway walks, glitter bombs and a playful fashion runway vibe that permeates the crowd and stages alike. Piercings Works
Artistic Surprise Everywhere
It’s not just DJs: expect living sculptures, spontaneous street theatre, dance battles, art installations, and performance artists interacting with the crowd—on the main stage and in hidden corners around the festival site. Gay Travel 4uAmsterdam NOW
Planning Tips for Festival-Goers
- Book early: get your weekend pass or single‑day tickets via Paylogic and avoid third‑party scams.
- Arrive by tram or bike: parking is limited and unguarded; public transit is reliable. Bike parking at Polonceaukade or Haarlemmerweg.
- Pack light, pack creative: bring foldable umbrellas, camel‑packs (empty), selfie sticks, cameras, inflatable props—they welcome flamboyance.
- Dress for expression: Milkshake is your runway—wear neon, feathers, sequins, or just comfortable dance gear.
- Stay hydrated & snack smart: food trucks across the site offer vegetarian and vegan meals—no outside food permitted.
- Find your space: if overwhelmed, locate a low‑stimulus area or Trans Chill‑Out zone. Queerwatch is there for mental and physical support.
- Check after‑party tickets: official afterparties are held at Paradiso and Westerliefde/Unie (23:00–04/05:00).
- Explore Amsterdam Pride: Milkshake coincides with Pride Week, and many queer events and parades happen around the city—festival spirits carry on.
Closing Reflection: More Than a Festival
Milkshake Festival Amsterdam is not just an impressive sonic and visual treat—it’s a testament to how music, love, and cultural solidarity can build safe, joyous spaces. In 2025, returning stronger after a controversy that threatened its identity, the festival showed why its mission matters: to uplift, connect, and celebrate diversity in every form.
If you seek a festival weekend that emphasizes community over commerce, expressive freedom over conformity, and radical kindness over indifference—Milkshake is calling. From the thumping techno beats to the human contact, the drag performances to the accessible design, every detail tells the same story: this is what being alive, loved, and free feels like in Amsterdam.
A sample itinerary: your Milkshake Weekend
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| Saturday 12:00 | Doors open—grab a vegan burger, wander through installations |
| 13:00–17:00 | Catch sets across stages—house, disco, pop, live R&B |
| 17:00 | Voguing catwalk & drag battle |
| Evening | DJ headliners, lights, immersive visual shows |
| 23:00–04/05:00 | Optional afterparty at Paradiso or Westerliefde |
| Sunday 13:00–16:00 | Chill Sunday afternoon—more live sets, performance art |
| 16:00–19:00 | Street performances, dance collectives, DJ sets |
| 20:00–23:00 | Closing set on main stage, final unity moments, emotional crescendo |
Milkshake Festival Amsterdam 2025 isn’t just attending a festival—it’s being welcomed into a family of strangers who dance together as equals, laugh together in full colour, and leave the world a bit kinder for their presence. 💖
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