Pinkpop

Pinkpop is one of the most famous music festivals in the Netherlands.

It takes place at Megaland in Landgraaf, in the southern province of Limburg. For three days, the site fills with live music, camping, food, crowds and some of the biggest names in pop, rock, alternative and electronic music.

Pinkpop is not a small niche festival. It is one of the classic Dutch festival names. Many people in the Netherlands know it even if they have never been.

The festival has a long history, a broad audience and a reputation for mixing global headliners with new acts.

When is Pinkpop?

Pinkpop usually takes place in June.

In 2026, Pinkpop takes place on Friday 19 June, Saturday 20 June and Sunday 21 June at Megaland in Landgraaf.

The 2026 edition is the 55th edition of the festival. Ticketmaster also lists the 2026 festival as taking place from 19 to 21 June 2026 at Megaland.

Because Pinkpop is a major festival, tickets, camping and accommodation should be arranged early.

Where is Pinkpop held?

Pinkpop is held at Megaland in Landgraaf.

Landgraaf is in Limburg, close to Heerlen and near the German and Belgian borders. This location gives Pinkpop a different feel from festivals in Amsterdam, Rotterdam or Utrecht. It is more regional, more open and more connected to the south of the Netherlands.

Megaland has been the home of Pinkpop since the late 1980s. Guinness World Records notes that Pinkpop was held in Geleen from 1970 to 1986, in Baarlo in 1987 and in Landgraaf from 1988 onward.

For most visitors, Landgraaf means planning matters. This is not a festival you casually walk into from a city centre hotel.

Why is Pinkpop famous?

Pinkpop is famous because of its history.

The first edition took place in 1970 in Geleen. Since then, it has grown from a one-day event into one of the best-known festivals in Europe.

Guinness World Records describes Pinkpop as the longest-running continuous annual popular music festival. Its record entry notes that Pinkpop ran for 43 consecutive years from 1970 to 2012 and attracted more than two million unique visitors in that period.

The official Pinkpop site calls it the most iconic festival in the Netherlands and points to more than five decades of major artists and new talent.

That history gives Pinkpop a status that newer festivals do not have.

Why is it called Pinkpop?

The name Pinkpop comes from Pinksteren, the Dutch word for Pentecost.

The festival originally took place around the Pentecost weekend. “Pop met Pinksteren” became Pinkpop.

Today, the festival is not always held exactly during Pentecost. When Pentecost falls too early, Pinkpop may take place later in June. But the name stayed.

This is why the word looks unusual if you do not speak Dutch. It has nothing to do with the colour pink. It comes from Pinksteren.

What kind of music does Pinkpop have?

Pinkpop has a broad music profile.

It is known for pop, rock, alternative, indie, hip-hop, electronic acts and major international headliners. It is more mainstream than underground showcase festivals such as ESNS and less narrowly electronic than DGTL or Awakenings.

That broadness is part of the appeal. Pinkpop is a festival where different generations can find something they know.

The official Pinkpop description says the festival brings together absolute world stars and the legends of tomorrow, with different music styles meeting in a friendly atmosphere.

For visitors, this means Pinkpop is usually easier to understand than more niche festivals. You go for big stages, familiar names, discovery acts and a classic festival weekend.

Pinkpop tickets

Pinkpop is a ticketed festival.

For 2026, the official Pinkpop ticket page states that Ticketmaster is the only official sales channel.

This is important. Large festivals attract ticket scams. If you buy through random social media sellers, you risk paying for a fake or invalid ticket.

Pinkpop usually offers different ticket types, such as weekend tickets and day tickets. Some visitors attend the full weekend. Others choose one day based on the line-up.

Always check the official ticket page before buying.

Pinkpop camping

Camping is a major part of the Pinkpop experience.

Many visitors stay for the whole weekend and sleep near the festival. The official Pinkpop accommodation page explains which ticket is needed for different camping options, including festival camping, group camping, Glampink and day camping.

For 2026, Ticketmaster lists a weekend ticket including camping for 18 to 22 June 2026, which covers arrival before the festival and departure after it.

Camping makes the weekend easier, especially because Landgraaf is not a large city with endless hotel rooms. But it also requires preparation: tent, sleeping bag, clothes for all weather and patience for festival facilities.

How to get to Pinkpop

Pinkpop takes place in Landgraaf, so travel should be planned in advance.

Many visitors travel by train to Landgraaf or nearby stations and then continue by shuttle, walking route or local transport depending on the official travel plan. Others travel by car, bus or organised coach.

The regional travel platform Maak de Beweging notes that Pinkpop attracts thousands of music fans each year and advises visitors to plan their trip to Landgraaf before departure.

Do not leave travel planning until the day itself. On festival weekends, roads, trains and local routes can be busy.

What is the atmosphere like?

Pinkpop is known for a friendly, mixed crowd.

You will see teenagers, students, older festivalgoers, families with older children, groups of friends and people who have been coming for years.

The festival is large, but it still has a classic Dutch festival feeling. It is not only about being seen or chasing the most exclusive act. It is about spending a weekend outside with music, beer, food, friends and a familiar pink festival identity.

The weather can shape the atmosphere. In June, Landgraaf can be sunny, wet, hot or muddy. Sometimes all in the same weekend.

Is Pinkpop good for first-time festival visitors?

Yes, if you like large festivals.

Pinkpop is well known, organised and easy to understand. The programme is broad. The site is built for large crowds. The festival has decades of experience.

But it is still a major multi-day event. If you are not used to festivals, prepare properly. Wear good shoes. Bring layers. Drink water. Know where your friends are. Do not try to see every act.

If you only want a calm day out, choose a day ticket. If you want the full experience, choose the weekend and camping.

Practical tips

• Buy tickets only through official or trusted channels.
• Book camping or accommodation early.
• Plan your route to Landgraaf before the festival weekend.
• Bring clothes for both sun and rain.
• Wear comfortable shoes.
• Use the official timetable to plan your must-see acts.
• Arrive early for popular headliners.
• Bring ear protection, especially if you stand close to the stage.
• Check the official FAQ before packing bags, food or drinks.
• If you camp, prepare for basic facilities and busy mornings.

Is Pinkpop worth visiting?

Yes, if you want one of the classic Dutch festival experiences.

Pinkpop has history, scale and cultural recognition. It is not the newest or most underground festival in the Netherlands, but that is not the point. Pinkpop is part of Dutch music history.

For many visitors, it is the festival where they saw a major artist for the first time. For others, it is a yearly tradition.

If you want a broad, famous, multi-day Dutch music festival with a real legacy, Pinkpop is one of the strongest choices.

Frequently asked questions