Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) is the city’s largest annual festival dedicated to electronic music. Each October, Amsterdam turns into one giant dance floor with hundreds of venues hosting parties, showcases, and DJ sets. While ADE is not a gay-specific festival, many of the city’s LGBTQ+ clubs and promoters host their own nights during the week, some as official events and others running independently.
The scale is impressive. International DJs, producers, and electronic music fans take over spaces ranging from massive warehouses to intimate bars. Clubs like Paradiso, Melkweg, and Shelter headline the program, while queer favorites such as Club NYX, Raum add their own spin with mixed. The result is a city-wide takeover where music never stops.
For gay travelers, ADE is a chance to experience both the mainstream festival and the local queer scene at the same time. You can dance with thousands at an official showcase, then end the night in a smaller LGBTQ+ venue with a more underground vibe. The diversity of options makes it easy to design your own ADE experience.
More than just a music event, ADE is a cultural happening. By day there are talks, exhibitions, and networking; by night, the city becomes a non-stop playground for electronic beats.
Amsterdam Dance Event
“The world’s biggest dance music gathering, with a queer twist in Amsterdam’s clubs.”
