Last weekend, on Saturday, July 25, and Sunday, July 26, the Milkshake Festival took place in Westerpark, Amsterdam. Organized by Paradiso and AIR, the festival has been drawing thousands of visitors to the city since 2012 and was considered one of the highlights of WorldPride Amsterdam 2026 this year. Nine stages featured DJs, drag acts, and performers each day, in an atmosphere centered on freedom, diversity, and connection. ISG Security provided on-site festival security during this two-day event.
The Milkshake Festival is internationally renowned as one of Europe’s most inclusive dance festivals. Visitors from the Netherlands and abroad gathered at the festival grounds, where, in addition to music, there was also space for art, self-expression, and personal growth. At a festival with this kind of atmosphere, the role of security is particularly important. It’s not just about surveillance, but above all about maintaining an atmosphere in which visitors can feel free and safe.
For ISG Security, this meant a team of security guards who were stationed at strategic locations around the stages, entrances, and main walkways throughout both days of the festival. The approach focused on visible yet approachable security. Security guards blended into the atmosphere, interacted with visitors, and intervened when necessary, without disrupting the festival’s free-spirited and festive vibe.
Access control was a key part of the team’s work, as was crowd management at the busiest stages during peak times. In addition, the team worked closely with the Milkshake Festival organizers and other parties on-site to ensure a rapid response to any incidents. This collaboration is characteristic of how ISG Security operates at large-scale events. Security is deployed as part of a larger whole, in close consultation with organizers, so that the visitor experience remains the top priority.
The fact that this year’s Milkshake Festival coincided with WorldPride Amsterdam made this edition extra special. The city was all about diversity and inclusivity, and that was clearly evident at the festival grounds. For the security team, this meant being especially mindful of the context in which they were working. An environment where everyone should be able to express themselves as they are requires security personnel who are not only alert but also empathetic and respectful in their interactions.
The weekend went off without any major incidents. For two days, visitors were able to enjoy music, art, and each other’s company, while the security team worked behind the scenes to ensure everything ran smoothly. For ISG Security, this is exactly what festival security is all about. Not as strict surveillance, but as a prerequisite for a festival to be what it’s meant to be: a place where people can feel free.
The Milkshake Festival has become a familiar event on ISG Security’s summer calendar. The experience the team gains at events like this is also applied to other large-scale festivals and events throughout the Netherlands. Organizers looking for a security partner with experience in large-scale, high-attendance events can visit the festival security page for more information about our approach and services.