Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) – Netherlands 2025

Background & History

The Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE), founded in 1996 as a small music conference, has grown into the world’s largest electronic music festival and conference, attracting over 500,000 visitors in 2024. Organized by the Amsterdam Dance Event Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to nurturing electronic music culture, ADE 2025 celebrates its 30th edition alongside Amsterdam’s 750th anniversary.

Spanning five days and nights, it features over 1,000 events across 200+ venues, blending a professional conference (ADE Pro, ADE Lab) with a city-wide festival and Arts & Culture program. Known for its diverse genres—house, techno, EDM, drum & bass, and more—it showcases both global stars and emerging talents, fostering innovation and networking for industry professionals and fans alike.

Event Highlights

• Main Program: Over 1,000 events (October 22–26, 2025) across 200+ venues, including clubs (Melkweg, Paradiso), concert halls (Concertgebouw), and unique spaces (warehouses, churches). Features 2,500+ artists like Armin van Buuren, Hardwell, Skepta, and Charlotte de Witte.
• ADE Pro: Four-day conference at Felix Meritis, Pulitzer, and Andaz Hotels, focusing on industry trends, sustainability, and tech (e.g., AI in music). Includes networking, keynotes, and exclusive performances.
• ADE Lab: Workshops, masterclasses, and studio sessions at Westergas’ ADE Lab Village for aspiring artists. Features gear demos and mentorship.
• ADE Festival: 300+ club nights, label showcases, and pop-up events across genres like techno, house, and trance.
• Arts & Culture: Cross-disciplinary events (e.g., exhibitions at Melkweg Expo, audiovisual installations at Westergas), including free events like “Universal Tongue” at De Nederlandsche Bank.
• Sustainability: Partners with Celebrate Safe for responsible partying and promotes eco-ticketing and carbon-neutral venues.
• Special Events: Amsterdam750 celebrations on October 27, 2025, with cross-cultural activities in major cultural venues.

Date & Duration

• Dates: October 22–26, 2025 (5 days).
• Hours (based on 2024):
  • Festival: ~12:00–06:00 (club nights), ~10:00–20:00 (daytime events, e.g., record stores, exhibitions).
  • Conference: ~09:00–18:00 (ADE Pro, ADE Lab).
  • Info Desks: ~10:00–20:00 (Felix Meritis, other locations TBD).
• Note: Weather: ~45–55°F, rain possible; bring layers, umbrellas. Full schedule at amsterdam-dance-event.nl (~August 2025). Most events 18+; some 21+ (e.g., Shelter).

Main Event Address

• Venues (Amsterdam, ~5–20 minutes by tram/bike):
  • Felix Meritis: Keizersgracht 324, 1016 EZ (ADE Pro, Info Desk, ~500 capacity).
  • Westergas (ADE Lab Village): Klönneplein 1, 1014 DD (workshops, installations, ~1,000 capacity).
  • Melkweg: Lijnbaansgracht 234A, 1017 PH (concerts, exhibitions, ~1,500 capacity).
  • Paradiso: Weteringschans 6-8, 1017 SG (concerts, ~1,500 capacity).
  • Concertgebouw: Concertgebouwplein 10, 1071 LN (classical-electronic crossovers, ~2,000 capacity).
  • De Nederlandsche Bank: Westeinde 1, 1017 ZN (free exhibitions, e.g., “Universal Tongue”).
  • Q-Factory: Atlantisplein 1, 1093 NE (vinyl events, talks, ~500 capacity).
• Administrative Contact: Stichting Amsterdam Dance Event, Nassaulaan 25, 1213 Hilversum; info@amsterdam-dance-event.nl; (+31) 20-247-0707 (Mon–Fri, 09:00–17:00).
• Note: Public transport: NS trains to Amsterdam Centraal (~€5–€20, ~$5.80–$23.20 USD from Schiphol, 15 minutes). Trams/buses (~€1.50–€3, ~$1.75–$3.50 USD). OV-fiets bikes (~€4/day, ~$4.65 USD). Limited parking (~€4–€6/hour, ~$4.65–$7 USD); HC spaces near Centraal.

Contact Information

• Email: info@amsterdam-dance-event.nl (general, accessibility); tickets@amsterdam-dance-event.nl (ticketing); press@amsterdam-dance-event.nl (press).
• Phone: (+31) 20-247-0707 (Mon–Fri, 09:00–17:00).
• Website: https://amsterdam-dance-event.nl
• Social Media: @amsterdamdanceevent (Instagram, Facebook, X).
• Key Staff: Not publicly listed; contact via info@amsterdam-dance-event.nl.
• Press/Volunteers: Email press@amsterdam-dance-event.nl (deadline September 5, 2025) or info@amsterdam-dance-event.nl (volunteers, ~September 2025).
• Note: Response time ~24–48 hours. Festival app for schedules.

Ticket Information

• Admission:
  • ADE Pro Pass: €600–€700 (~$650–$760 USD, includes all conferences, festival events, networking, and ADE Bag).
  • Festival Pass: €130–€175 (~$140–$190 USD, access to all festival events).
  • Individual Event Tickets: €15–€50 (~$16–$54 USD, varies by event, e.g., AMF at Johan Cruijff Arena).
  • Free Events: Daytime exhibitions (e.g., Melkweg Expo), record store events, select Arts & Culture programs.
• Ticket Range:
  • EUR: €15–€700 (single event to Pro Pass).
  • USD: ~$16–$760 (1 EUR ≈ $1.09 USD, August 2025).
• How to Buy:
  • Online: amsterdam-dance-event.nl via Weeztix or event promoters (sales open ~May 2025). Payment: iDeal, Visa, Mastercard.
  • In-Person: Felix Meritis (Keizersgracht 324, ~10:00–20:00, October 22–26, card preferred). Other desks TBD.
  • Resale: TicketSwap for secure transfers.
• Note: Pro/Festival Passes personalized; ID required for wristband pickup at Felix Meritis. Non-refundable; cancellations until September 22, 2025 (€25 fee, ~$27.25 USD). Avoid unofficial resellers except TicketSwap.

Cultural Experience

ADE transforms Amsterdam into the global epicenter of electronic music, blending high-energy club nights with cultural and professional exchanges. From iconic venues like Paradiso to pop-up events in warehouses, it spans genres like techno, house, EDM, and grime, featuring artists like Skepta and Black Coffee. Daytime events include vinyl marathons at Q-Factory and art installations at Westergas, while Amsterdam750 celebrations on October 27, 2025, integrate music with cultural venues.

Culinary offerings include Dutch street food (bitterballen, stroopwafels, ~€3–€10, ~$3.50–$11.60 USD) and drinks (beer, jenever, ~€3–€8, ~$3.50–$9.30 USD, 19+) at venues or nearby cafés. The festival’s inclusive ethos, with programs on sustainability and diversity, reflects Amsterdam’s progressive spirit.

Food & Drinks

• Venue Stalls: Bitterballen, stroopwafels, sandwiches (~€3–€10, ~$3.50–$11.60 USD). Drinks: coffee, beer, jenever (~€3–€8, ~$3.50–$9.30 USD, 19+).
• Nearby Dining (Amsterdam):
  • Foodhallen (Bellamyplein 51, 1053 AT, street food, ~$5–$15 USD, 10-minute walk from Melkweg).
  • Moeders (Rozengracht 251, 1016 SX, Dutch cuisine, ~$10–$25 USD, 7-minute walk from Felix Meritis).
  • De Carrousel (Weteringschans 259, 1017 XJ, pancakes, ~$5–$15 USD, 5-minute walk from Paradiso).
• Note: Card preferred; cash (EUR) for small vendors. No outside food/drinks at venues. Water stations at Felix Meritis, Westergas.

Family & Accessibility

• Family-Friendly: Limited; most events 18+/21+ (e.g., Shelter, De School). Free daytime events (e.g., Melkweg Expo, Q-Factory vinyl marathon) suitable for all ages; under 16s need supervision. No dedicated children’s program.
• Accessibility: Felix Meritis, Westergas offer ramps, HC toilets; Pulitzer, Andaz partially accessible (contact info@amsterdam-dance-event.nl). Festival events vary by promoter; contact individual organizers for details. Wristband pickup at Felix Meritis is accessible for wheelchair users.

Getting There

• By Air: Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS, 15 km, ~15-minute train, ~€5, ~$5.80 USD) to Centraal.
• Public Transport:
  • Train: NS to Amsterdam Centraal (~€5–€20, ~$5.80–$23.20 USD from Schiphol or Utrecht).
  • Tram/Bus: GVB lines to Centraal, Leidseplein, Rembrandtplein (~€1.50–€3, ~$1.75–$3.50 USD).
  • Ferry: Free F3 ferry to NDSM Warehouse (2 minutes from Centraal).
• By Car: Limited parking (~€4–€6/hour, ~$4.65–$7 USD). HC spaces near Centraal, Leidseplein.
• By Foot/Bike: Walkable venues (Felix Meritis to Paradiso, ~10 minutes). OV-fiets bikes (~€4/day, ~$4.65 USD).
• By Taxi/Rideshare: TCA (+31-20-777-7777, ~$5–$15 USD). Uber (~$5–$10 USD).

Program Details

• October 22–26, 2025: 1,000+ events, 2,500+ artists across 200+ venues. Full lineup at amsterdam-dance-event.nl (~August 2025).
• Concerts/Club Nights: ~12:00–06:00. Examples: Armin van Buuren (Johan Cruijff Arena), Skepta (Shelter), Charlotte de Witte (Paradiso).
• Conference: ~09:00–18:00 (Felix Meritis, Westergas). Topics: AI, sustainability, and inclusivity.
• Free Events:
  • Universal Tongue (De Nederlandsche Bank, 09:00–17:00, October 22, free exhibition).
  • Bodil Ouédraogo (Melkweg Expo, 11:00–19:00, October 22, free installation).
  • Heliotrope (Westergas, 12:30–22:00, October 22, free A/V installation).
• Note: Most events are 18+/21+. English/Dutch signage. Wristbands required for Pro/Lab Pass events.

Past Notable Features

• 2024: Over 3,000 artists, including Adam Beyer, Amelie Lens, at 160 venues.
• 2017: Introduced ADE Green for sustainability focus.
• 1996: Launched as a 300-person conference at Felix Meritis.
• 1991: Nirvana’s performance at La Cité (pre-ADE).

Educational Impact

• Cultural Learning: Promotes electronic music innovation through ADE Lab workshops and ADE Pro panels on AI, sustainability, and diversity.
• Community Engagement: ADE Lab Village mentors young artists; Arts & Culture integrates music with visual art, engaging local communities.
• Historical Context: Builds on Amsterdam’s club culture, evolving into a global platform for electronic music.

Cultural Activities

• Concerts: 300+ club nights, label showcases (e.g., Más Tiempo at Shelter).
• Exhibitions: Free installations (e.g., “Heliotrope” at Westergas, “Universal Tongue” at DNB).
• Workshops: ADE Lab masterclasses, gear demos at Westergas.
• Networking: ADE Pro database, matchmaking sessions for professionals.

Travel Tips

• Book Early: Tickets on sale ~May 2025 (amsterdam-dance-event.nl). Hotels fill in October; book 6–12 months (e.g., NH Collection Amsterdam). Use glimble.app for transport.
• Weather Prep: 45–55°F, rain possible; bring layers, umbrellas.
• Explore Locally: Rijksmuseum ($22 USD, 10-minute tram from Paradiso), Vondelpark (free, 5-minute walk from Melkweg), Leidseplein (free, 5-minute walk from Felix Meritis).
• Transport: Trams/buses for efficiency. Bike or walk between venues. Avoid driving due to limited parking.
• Crowd Tips: Book high-demand events (e.g., AMF) early. Daytime events are less crowded.

Local Attractions

• Rijksmuseum: Museumstraat 1, 1071 XX ($22 USD, 10-minute tram).
• Vondelpark: Free (5-minute walk from Melkweg).
• Leidseplein: Free (5-minute walk from Felix Meritis).
• Anne Frank House: Westermarkt 20, 1016 DK ($16 USD, 10-minute walk from Felix Meritis).
• Dam Square: Free (10-minute walk from Centraal).

Accommodation Options

• Hotels:
  • NH Collection Amsterdam (Spuistraat 288, 1012 VX, $150–$300 USD/night, 7-minute walk from Felix Meritis).
  • The Dylan (Keizersgracht 384, 1016 GB, $200–$400 USD/night, 5-minute walk).
• B&Bs: B&B Herengracht (Herengracht 176, 1016 BP, $100–$200 USD/night, 10-minute walk).
• Apartments: Airbnb ($80–$200 USD/night, central Amsterdam).
• Note: Book early for October. Discounts via amsterdam-dance-event.nl (speculative).

Safety & Health Measures

• Medical Support: First aid at Felix Meritis, Westergas. Amsterdam UMC (10-minute drive).
• Security: Bag checks; no large bags or professional cameras. Info desks for lost items.
• Health Protocols: Sanitizer stations; masks optional. COVID-19 policies TBD (August 2025). Celebrate the Safe campaign for responsible partying.
• Safety Tips: Secure valuables; stay hydrated; supervise under 16s.