ADE 2025 – 30 Years of Defining the Global Dance Culture

Every October, Amsterdam transforms into the center of global dance culture as it hosts the Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) – the world’s largest and most influential electronic music festival. What began in 1996 as a small, three-day conference with thirty DJs performing across a couple of local clubs, has evolved into a massive five-day event that hosts hundreds of thousands of people from around the world. Today, ADE connects the worlds of music, art, technology, and culture, bringing together artists, fans, and industry professionals.

ADE represents more than just a lineup of DJs. It’s a movement that celebrates how electronic music unites people across the world. The event’s structure resembles the rhythm of the industry itself: by day, it’s a conference where creative and business professionals exchange ideas; by night, it becomes a city-wide explosion of sound and light.

Over the years, ADE has become not only a launchpad for new music and technologies but also a stage for deeper conversations about the future of nightlife and creativity. In 2025, ADE’s main branches include: ADE Pro – which is the main industry conference; ADE Lab – for emerging talent and creators; ADE Green, focused on sustainability and social impact; and ADE Arts & Culture – which covers interdisciplinary performances and installations. 

ADE Timeline Highlights

• 1996: ADE debuts as a three-day conference. Around 300 delegates attend the event, with roughly 30 DJs performing. The conference takes place in a hotel on Vijzelgracht, while the DJ sets take place across three local clubs: Paradiso, Melkweg and Escap.
• 1997-1999: The second edition of ADE expands into more venues, and begins combining daytime conference panels with multiple shows and nighttime events across the city.
• 2000s-2010s: ADE expands even further and launches ADE Pro, ADE Green, ADE Lab, and ADE Arts & Culture. The festival ultimately evolves into a multi-disciplinary ecosystem. By the early 2010s, attendance exceeds 100,000 visitors.
• 2010s-2020s: ADE becomes the world’s largest electronic music conference and festival, attracting over 500,000 visitors annually and hosting 1,000+ events across over two hundred venues. Its programming now spans every corner of the electronic music spectrum, from deep techno to experimental sound.

This three decade journey, from a 300-person conference to a global cultural phenomenon, shows how ADE has transformed from a niche industry event into an essential part of dance music culture.

ADE 2025 – A 30th Anniversary Celebration

The 30th edition of ADE runs between October 22-26, 2025, bringing over 3,000 artists from around the world and over 1,000 events across the city. 

Some of ADE 2025 highlights include Skepta’s Mas Tiempo showcase at Shelter; Black Coffee at Ziggo Dome; DBN Gogo’s opening concert at Melkweg. Dave Clarke Presents also celebrates its 20th anniversary at Melkweg, with acts such as Marcel Dettmann, Helena Hauff, FJAAK, Digital 21 + Stefan Olsdal and more.

On the cultural side, ADE Arts & Culture presents “Skin to Skin” by artist Sandra Mujinga at the Stedelijk Museum. The audio-visual installation explores the intersection of body, sound and identity.

This year’s edition honors ADE’s legacy while pushing forward a retrospective and a rebirth for electronic music.

Funktasy at ADE 2025 – Spotlighting Velvet Bass Artists

The Funktasy team is also heading to Amsterdam Dance Event 2025,  with the aim of capturing the essence of the world’s biggest electronic music festival through exclusive interviews and spotlights on rising artists from Funktasy’s new record label Velvet Bass.

Phil OD, known for his unique mask with a contra-rotating design, and a signature sound that harnesses the essence of EDM and forges punchy rhythms in an innovative style. He captivates the hearts of all listeners, ensuring that no one remains still when his beats play.

White Whale, aka Alex, has been making waves in the EDM scene with his distinctive sound. Influenced by David Guetta and Armin van Buuren, his track “Heart Beats Like a Drum” and EP “Entourage” showcase his polished, festival-ready sound.

From Cádiz, Spain, Marko Leandro brings a unique blend of House, Techno, and Breakbeat, infused with live percussion and his flamenco roots. His sets are more than just music, they are immersive experiences, infused with live percussion and real-time sampling, making every performance dynamic and unpredictable. 

Reddibo, a Jamaican-born singer signed to Funktasy Records, channels her love of R&B, reggae, and house into soulful dance anthems. Her debut single “DAT”, produced with DJ Hoss, captures her bold, rhythmic style.

Together, these artists represent the essence of Funktasy – creative, loud, bold and global, yet grounded in the spirit of dance energy.

Amsterdam – A City in Motion

For five days each October, Amsterdam becomes the ultimate soundscape. From techno at Gashouder and disco at Paradiso, to ambient sets across various art galleries. Amsterdam doesn’t just host a global music festival – it becomes one. 

As ADE reaches its 30th year, it remains the global standard for dance music events. It shows that music festivals can go beyond entertainment and become culture. Ultimately, it’s not just about who’s headlining – it’s about the conversations, connections and communities that form in between.

It’s evident that the Amsterdam Dance Event isn’t planning on slowing down –  it’s only getting bigger and louder.