Brainwash Festival 2026

Hopeful ideas for the world of tomorrow

Brainwash Festival returns this October. With an exclusive Opening Night featuring Deborah Levy on Thursday 29 October, a live recording of Het Filosofisch Kwintet on Friday 30 October, and a full festival weekend on Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November, there will be plenty of room for sharp questions, uncomfortable insights and radical visions.

Together with philosophers, writers, scientists and artists, we question what seems self-evident, break open what appears set in stone, and explore hopeful ideas for the world of tomorrow.

The Shape of Us

At Brainwash Festival 2026, we explore our central theme, The Shape of Us, from different perspectives: a search for what connects us, what divides us and how we can shape the future together. Through performances, lectures, conversations, films and encounters that make new possibilities imaginable.

Line-up

Here’s who you’ll meet at Brainwash Festival: Deborah Levy, Etgar Keret, Tina Farifteh, Damiaan Denys, Hartmut Rosa, Ece Temelkuran, Didier Eribon, Minna Salami, Poezieboys, Hettie O'Brien, Alicja Gescinska, Sophie Straat, Haroon Sheikh, Maureen Ghazal, Frank Chouraqui, Nadia Bouras, Paul Verhagen, Simoon Hermus, Tom Hofland, Yasmin Ait Abderrahman, The Hmm, The Smartphone Orchestra, Kees Foekema, Jörgen Gario, Roan Kasanmonadi, Yentl van Stokkum, Lynn Berger, Floris Rijssenbeek, Kristien Hens, Mel Kikkert, Ingmar Heytze, Forugh Karimi, Roel Meijvis, Sarah Arnolds, Joost de Vries, Elfie Tromp, Anissa El Mazouzi and many more!

For more information and updates on the line-up, follow Brainwash Festival on Instagram !