Discover the Amsterdam Dance Event: Over 1,000 Events Await! Here are Five Essentials to Kickstart Your Experience.
It’s hard to overstate the significance of the Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE). Don’t let the lineup reveal mislead you; ADE is more than just a festival. It encompasses a vast array of concerts, engaging panel discussions, innovative art displays, and vibrant after-parties, many of which operate independently from the official conference proceedings. Over the years, its growth has been nothing short of remarkable.
When ADE debuted in 1996, it was hosted in a single venue, De Balie, with after parties at local hotspots like Paradiso, Club Escape, and Melkweg. Back then, only 300 delegates participated. Fast forward to today, and the event spans more than 1,000 happenings at over 200 locations, featuring a lineup of over 3,000 artists during its five-day event.
As the 2024 edition of ADE approaches — from Tuesday, October 16 to Sunday, October 20 — you might be feeling inundated by the plethora of options available. Allow us to guide you through some of the most exciting events that are sure to provide an authentic taste of Amsterdam’s electrifying nightlife.
Top Parties to Experience at Amsterdam Dance Event 2024
Awakenings ADE
Many ADE guides suggest pacing yourself, advising that “it’s a marathon, not a sprint,” and cautioning against early-week overindulgence. However, we trust you’re capable of making your own choices. Awakenings‘ daily events at Gashouder and Ziggo Dome can catapult you into ADE vibes as early as Wednesday if you’re up for it.
Each day during ADE, this techno festival brand presents parties featuring top artists such as Adam Beyer, Amelie Lens, Four Tet, Joseph Capriati, and Adriatique. Although several events are already sold out, second-hand tickets can be found on platforms like StubHub and Ticket Swap.
- When: Wednesday, October 16 – Sunday, October 20, 2024
- Where: Gashouder (Klönneplein 1, 1014 DD) and Ziggo Dome (De Passage 100, 1101 AX)
- Ages: 18+
- Tickets: PURCHASE HERE
Dave Clarke Presents
Though originally from the UK, Dave Clarke has made his event series a staple of ADE for years. Dave Clarke Presents is the longest-running event within the ADE framework, showcasing a lineup designed for fans of niche dance music.
This year, expect performances from Detroit legends Octave One and DJ Stingray, renowned German DJ Len Faki, and UK techno icon Paula Temple. The event will take place in both rooms of Melkweg, an iconic venue in Amsterdam nightlife history.
- When: Friday, October 18, 2024, 11pm
- Where: Melkweg – Lijnbaansgracht 234A, 1017 PH
- Ages: 18+
- Tickets: PURCHASE HERE
Dockyard Festival
Celebrating a decade of excellence, Dockyard Festival is expanding by introducing a second event this year. The main festival will still light up at Amsterdam’s Havenpark, while the Dockyards Warehouse Festival will debut at the former industrial venue Hembrugterrein, both scheduled for Saturday.
The outdoor event boasts a lineup that includes house and techno titans like Anfisa Letyago, Chris Liebing, Juliet Fox, and Eli Brown, while the warehouse festival has recently added Indira Paganotto alongside other highly regarded acts such as Artbat, Partiboi69, and Adiel B2B Grace Dahl.
- When: Saturday, October 19, 2024, 12pm
- Where: Havenpark (Wethouder van Essenweg) and Hembrugterrein (Hemkade 18, 1506 PR)
- Ages: 18+
- Tickets: PURCHASE HERE
ADE Revealed Label Night 2024
ADE showcases the spectrum of electronic music, including the Netherlands’ top superstar DJs. Among them, Hardwell stands out, as his Revealed Recordings label recently celebrated its tenth anniversary. As it embarks on its next decade, expect a remarkable lineup at their annual ADE event.
When Revealed takes over the Q-Factory, music will flow across two stages: the Legacy Stage, featuring “old-school EDM” hits from pioneers like Dyro, Dannic, and Sick Individuals, and the Destiny Stage, which is focused on the label’s more recent “big room techno” sound, with acts such as Sub Zero Project, Nifra, and Olly James.
- When: Saturday, October 19, 2024, 10pm
- Where: Q-Factory – Atlantisplein 1, 1093 NE Amsterdam
- Ages: 18+
- Tickets: PURCHASE HERE
Verknipt ADE Sunday | The Ultimate Closing Party
The perfect finale to ADE comes from Verknipt. Known for their record-breaking summer event, hard techno continues to dominate in 2024, drawing crowds to AFAS Live intrigued to see what Verknipt has in store.
In the main room, artists like Nico Moreno, Xenia, and Fantasm will exhibit the hard techno sound. Meanwhile, Studio 2 will host Remon Verhoeve, Nice Keed, and Negativ as a perfect counterbalance. It’s an ideal atmosphere to release all the energy before gearing up for the return to daily life.
- When: Sunday, October 20, 2024, 12pm
- Where: AFAS Live – Johan Cruijff Boulevard 590, 1101 DS
- Ages: 18+
- Tickets: PURCHASE HERE
