Brainwash moves to Tolhuistuin
Brainwash Festival will have a new home starting in 2026. The next edition will take place at Tolhuistuin in Amsterdam-Noord. At the same time, the festival dates will also change. Brainwash Festival will be held on October 31 and November 1, 2026. Will you move with us?
a quick look back…
In the early years of Brainwash Festival, now more than a decade ago, our programmes took place in the theatres on Nes and in the churches dotted around the Red Light District. Intimate, distinctive venues where visitors could sharpen their minds.
After a few years, we swapped those venues for a revamped festival on and around Leidseplein. In recent years, we’ve gathered in the venues of Amsterdam’s cultural heart: from Melkweg to Paradiso, from Theater Bellevue to De Balie, and also at Club Up and Sociëteit De Kring. Wonderful venues and people, with whom we’ve enjoyed working.
There was also a downside. Step outside the venues on Leidseplein, and you’re immediately in the midst of the city’s overwhelming hustle and bustle. And we began to notice that, as a result, both we and you were losing something: our connection with one another.
a shared festival hub
At this new venue, we’ll be able to organise the festival in one place for the first time. This means you can linger a while after a performance, as you won’t have to rush from venue to venue. The conversation can continue at the bar, in the restaurant or in the queue for the next venue.
With the festival hub in Tolhuistuin, we hope to create a more connected festival atmosphere. Disappearing into the festival bubble together also touches on what we believe is an essential added value of a thinking festival: coming together and exchanging ideas. Meeting people who think differently from you, people you wouldn’t just scroll past in your own timeline tunnel.
two festival days at the weekend
Anyone who has read our visitor surveys knows that you’ve been telling us this for some time now: the festival day on Sunday felt very packed. There were so many events taking place at the same time that it caused choice overload. And although we believe that part of the festival experience is missing out on just a little more than you get to experience, we’ve taken your feedback on board.
Times have changed since Brainwash Festival began. We are overwhelmed with information every day. And perhaps the real value of a festival lies in the opposite: being able to pause for just a little longer to reflect on new ideas and different perspectives.
Instead of a single festival day on Sunday, we are therefore moving to two festival days: on Saturday and Sunday. (In addition to the activities on other days.) On both days of the weekend, you will no longer have a choice of fifty or sixty programmes, but of around twenty-five. We are programming in fewer venues at the same time, and setting aside more time for the programmes. More space for conversation, and more time for deeper engagement. And of course: more space and time for you to join in the discussion.
important information about tickets
Due to the relocation, the date of the festival has also changed. The 2026 edition will take place on 31 October and 1 November.
Were you an early adopter and have you already bought an early bird ticket for the previous date of 18 October? If so, you should have received an email from us with further details. You can easily transfer your ticket to one of the new festival dates or choose to receive a refund.
In the coming weeks, we’ll be announcing more details about the programme, the speakers and ticket sales for the new festival dates. Keep an eye on our website and social media for updates. You can also sign up for our newsletter.
off to a new venue
Saying goodbye is always a bit of a bittersweet moment; the venues on Leidseplein are very dear to us. We would therefore like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone at Melkweg, Paradiso, Club Up, Sociëteit De Kring, Theater Bellevue and De Balie for the wonderful collaboration over the past few years!
With renewed energy, we’re looking ahead. To a new venue, to more challenging ideas. And hopefully: to you. Will you be moving with us?
See you at Tolhuistuin!