Some festivals flare up, rinse a few line-ups, then quietly disappear.
Others cling on with nostalgia and hope.
Then thereโs Pinkpopโฆ still loud, still relevant, still pulling huge crowds more than half a century after it first cranked the volume knob.
This isnโt just a festival.
This is the worldโs oldest and longest-running annual pop and rock music festival, still standing like a battered amp that somehow sounds better the harder you push it.
Held every year in Landgraaf, Pinkpop is the beating heart of Dutch festival culture and the biggest music event in the Netherlands. If youโve ever bonded with strangers in a muddy field over riffs, rain, and questionable life choicesโฆ this oneโs for you.
๐ง๏ธ A FESTIVAL BORN IN THE RAIN
Pinkpop first erupted in 1970, named after Pentecost, or Pinksteren in Dutch, a bank holiday famous for bad weather. Instead of fighting it, Pinkpop leaned in. Mud became tradition. Boots became mandatory. Complaining became pointless.
Since that first edition, the festival has run every single year, with only one unavoidable pause during the Covid-19 pandemic. Thatโs not luck. Thatโs pure rock โnโ roll stubbornness.
The 54th edition took place on June 20, 21 and 22, 2025, once again taking over Megaland in Limburg for three days of glorious noise, communal chaos, and unforgettable moments.
๐ A LINE-UP HISTORY THAT READS LIKE A ROCK HALL OF FAME
Pinkpop doesnโt just book bands. It captures eras.
Over three million fans have passed through the gates, and more than 1,000 unique artists have taken to its stages. The list of past performers is genuinely ridiculous, featuring icons such as:
Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Metallica, Pearl Jam, U2, The Cure, Rage Against The Machine, Fleetwood Mac, Coldplay, and Robbie Williams.
Thatโs not nostalgia bait. Thatโs music history in muddy trainers.
๐๏ธ TICKETS: HOW MUCH DID PINKPOP 2025 COST?
Right, letโs talk money.
- Day ticket: around โฌ155
Ideal if youโre popping in for one massive day and a headline set. - Weekend ticket: around โฌ305
Three full days of music with regular camping included. Considering the scale of the festival, thatโs cracking value.
Tickets donโt hang around long, and resale prices have a habit of getting spicy. Donโt sleep on it.
๐๏ธ CAMPING AT PINKPOP: PICK YOUR BATTLEGROUND
Camping at Pinkpop is part of the identity. Whether you want full mud-soaked chaos or something a bit more civilised, thereโs an option to suit.
๐ฅ REGULAR CAMPING (INCLUDED WITH WEEKEND TICKET)
The classic Pinkpop experience.
- Included with every weekend ticket
- Bring your own tent and supplies
- Toilets, showers, and food stalls on site
- Lively, loud, and properly social
This is where the stories happen. Late-night chats, early-morning regrets, and neighbours youโll remember long after the weekend ends.
๐ COMFORT CAMPING (UPGRADE)
Festival life, but with a bit of mercy.
- Separate, calmer camping area
- More space between tents
- Better showers and toilets
- Phone charging facilities
You still bring your own tent, but you wake up feeling vaguely human. Perfect if you want to go hard without completely destroying yourself.
๐๏ธ GLAMPING (UPGRADE)
Yes, Pinkpop glamps. No judgement here.
- Pre-set tents or lodges
- Proper beds or quality airbeds
- Bedding included
- Upgraded sanitary facilities
- Zero tent-building stress
All the festival atmosphere, none of the midnight tent-pole arguments.
๐ CAMPER / CARAVAN CAMPING (UPGRADE)
Arriving with wheels? Sorted.
- Dedicated campervan and caravan areas
- Electricity options available
- Shorter walks back at night
- Ideal for groups wanting a solid base
Festival vibes with a bit of home comfort and fewer missing socks.
๐บ CAPTURED FOREVER: THE PINKPOP ARCHIVE
Since 1992, the festival has been professionally recorded and broadcast, quietly building one of the most impressive live-music archives anywhere.
More than 1,500 performances have been captured over the years, many now available online, letting fans jump between eras, genres, and legendary sets whenever the mood hits.
๐ฅ WHY PINKPOP STILL MATTERS
Pinkpop doesnโt chase trends. It doesnโt need gimmicks. It survives because it understands the basics:
- Book great artists
- Respect the crowd
- Let the music do the talking
In a world full of short-lived festivals, Pinkpop keeps showing up, rain or shine, mud or dust, and delivering every single year.
Long live Pinkpop.
See you in the field, mun ๐ค๐ง๏ธ๐ป
