Everything You Need To Know Before Attending Amsterdam Dance Event

Electronic lovers, unite! 🪩 👾 One of the most iconic electronic music events is back again for another year of industry deep dives, unforgettable shows, vast networking opportunities, and so much more. If you’re planning to go this year, here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your stay. Let’s dive in…

Let’s Connect at ADE 2025

About ADE

📅 When: October 22-26, 2025

📍Where: Amsterdam (See full program here)

Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) is one of the most influential and loved events for the electronic music community. Every October, the industry’s best and brightest come together for 5 days of conferences, showcases, networking events, night-time raves, and so much more. Organized by The Amsterdam Dance Event Foundation, this event offers a full program of daytime conferences alongside the nighttime ADE Festival, which features over 1000 events and 2,500+ artists in 200+ clubs and venues.

The shows attract over 400,000 people from all over the world to the city, making Amsterdam one of the busiest and most inspiring clubbing cities in the world. Whether you’re looking to learn from some of the biggest legends in the game or attend some killer shows in the city, this event has tons to offer.

The key to making sure you don’t miss a beat… plan ahead. (with this post as your guide. 😎)

How To Prep

We recommend making a schedule of the events, workshops, and performances you want to attend so you can make the most of your time. In addition, be sure to bring all your networking and promotional essentials like business cards, a notebook, a pen, some merch items if you have ’em, demo CDs, or whatever else you think will help you make a lasting impression and perform your best.

The ADE website is jam-packed with everything you need to plan your trip. If you get the Pro Pass, you’ll unlock the ADE Pro Database in the app, where you can browse companies and professionals attending, reach out to them directly, and even start scheduling meetings ahead of time. The best move is to spend some time researching who you want to connect with and set up those conversations in advance so your week runs smoothly.

Depending on which pass you buy, you’ll get different levels of access. For example, the ADE Pro Pass gives you the most complete experience: entry to all conference tracks, networking hubs, the Pro Database, ADE Lab sessions, and access to the Festival and Arts & Culture programs (capacity permitting). On the other hand, the ADE Lab Pass is designed for emerging artists and creators, with access to workshops, masterclasses, demo drops, and competitions, gear showcases from top brands, and opportunities to share your work and get direct feedback.

And those aren’t your only options either. // To see a full breakdown of each ticket option and everything they offer, click here.

Pro Tips

1. Watch out for bikes. There are TONS of bikes everywhere. (All flying full speed down the streets.) Don’t be the guy (or gal) that gets hit by one.
2. Make sure you have phone service. Most of the venues have WiFi, but it doesn’t hurt to make sure your international minutes are set up as well. Just in case.
3. Bring business cards.
4. Bring a portable charger.
5. Get some earplugs. Protect your sweet ears, please! You’ll be overloading them with very loud (and very good) music all week.

Let’s talk about… drugs 😳

Large-scale dance events like this one always run the risk of drug-related complications. Back in 2017, a large batch of ecstasy pills with the ADE logo branded on them took the event by storm and resulted in multiple overdoses throughout the city. Although they set up drug testing stations following the outbreak to try to minimize the damage, these dangers are very real and a serious problem.

In the event that you do get sick, do not hesitate to go to a first aid station or call 112, the Amsterdam equivalent of 911. (Anything you discuss at a first aid station remains confidential, and you will not be prosecuted for drug use or possession.)

At the end of the day, your well-being is your #1 priority. Be kind to your mind.

Let’s Connect!

If you’d like to meet up with someone from our team, please fill out this meeting request form.

After all your meetings, panels, and everything in between, don’t forget to have some fun! After your day of planned activities is complete, swing by some low-key events, enjoy the beauty of Amsterdam, and try some amazing food. To be in the music industry is a heck of a privilege, and to be able to travel for things like this is an even bigger one. If you have the opportunity to be in a country as beautiful as the Netherlands, you deserve to check out one of its greatest areas and enjoy the sights, sounds, and “coffee.”

See you there!