Every October, Amsterdam turns into a playground for music lovers. But beyond the packed clubs, boat parties and industrial warehouses, there’s another side to ADE — one that’s slower, more curious, and a little more intimate.
This year feels extra special. As Amsterdam celebrates its 750th birthday, ADE has gone all out with experiences that stretch far beyond the dancefloor. Think concerts under a planetarium dome, sound installations inside museums, and ambient marathons in old churches.
If you’re up for something different — something that makes you stop, listen and really feel — here are a few places where you’ll find it.
Dome Concerts at ARTIS Planetarium
When: 22–24 October
Tickets: Required (some shows already sold out)
The ARTIS Planetarium is hosting a series of 360° concerts that are unlike anything else on the ADE line-up. Inside this dome, visuals by Julius Horsthuis swirl across the ceiling while sound moves in every direction — it’s immersive, emotional, and absolutely stunning.
Performances feature Suzanne Ciani, Rival Consoles, Maarten Vos and more, each creating their own cosmic journey. There’s even a synth bar on-site, called CLUBSYNTH, where you can experiment with analogue gear before or after the show.
Why go: It’s not just a gig — it’s an experience. You’ll feel like you’ve been lifted into another world, floating between music and light.
GATE at the Van Gogh Museum
When: Wednesday 22 October
Tickets: Free with ADE Pro Pass (reservation needed)
For one night only, the Van Gogh Museum transforms into an immersive performance space. GATE is a live collaboration between ARK and Before/After — part dance piece, part sound experiment — set against Van Gogh’s expressive art.
You can wander through the exhibition Van Gogh and the Roulin(s): Together Again at Last while the performance unfolds around you. The result feels more like a lucid dream than a show.
Why go: It’s rare to see the Van Gogh Museum open its doors to something this experimental. A quiet, surreal start to your ADE week.
Visual Frequencies at NXT Museum
When: 22 & 24 October
Tickets: Required
If you love visual art as much as electronic music, NXT Museum is where to go. Their Visual Frequencies series blends light, projection and sound across two nights of mind-bending performances.
Expect artists like Chlär, Colin Benders, Actress and Mor Elian playing within vast, responsive light installations — a space where sound feels physical and light feels alive.
Why go: It’s the perfect collision of art and rave culture — modern, futuristic, and completely immersive.
Skin to Skin by Sandra Mujinga – Stedelijk Museum
When: Friday 24 & Saturday 25 October
Tickets: Required (includes 50% off next visit)
At the Stedelijk Museum, artist Sandra Mujinga brings Skin to Skin to life through sound, sculpture and performance.
The space hums with deep, atmospheric tones as light and shadow move across the gallery walls. It’s quiet and meditative — the kind of show that gets under your skin without you realising.
Why go: After a few nights of heavy beats, this is the perfect reset. It’s still art, still music — just turned inward.
ZERØBPM – 39.5-Hour Ambient Meditation at Thomaskerk
When: From Friday morning to Saturday night
Tickets: Required
Inside a peaceful church, ADE is hosting one of its most ambitious experiences yet — a 39.5-hour continuous ambient marathon.
Over 25 artists, including Neel, .VRIL, JakoJako and Marco Shuttle, perform gentle, evolving soundscapes designed to be absorbed rather than danced to. You can stay for an hour or drift in and out throughout the day.
Why go: When the noise of ADE gets too much, this is your sanctuary. It’s grounding, restorative, and genuinely moving.
AJJIT at Bar Benelux
When: Wednesday 22 & Thursday 23 October
Tickets: Required
Tucked inside Bar Benelux, AJJIT blends performance art, poetry and sound into something raw and personal.
The show explores ideas of identity and belonging, using music as a way to connect people in small, shared moments. It’s intimate, thought-provoking, and unlike anything you’ll find on the main ADE schedule.
Why go: For a night that feels human and heartfelt — a reminder that connection is what this week’s really about.
Chinese Club Culture at Wereldmuseum
When: Throughout ADE week
Tickets: Ticketed / ADE Pass entry
Inside the Wereldmuseum, ADE’s Chinese Club Culture programme dives into the sounds and stories shaping China’s underground electronic scene. Expect performances, talks and installations exploring how dance music connects across continents.
Why go: It’s a window into a global movement — different sounds, same heartbeat.
Awakenings Sunday Sessions at SugarFactory
When: Sunday 26 October
Tickets: Required
After a week of madness, end ADE with one last deep groove. The new Awakenings Sunday Sessions take over the SugarFactory — a 19th-century refinery turned industrial party space.
Daylight filters through the windows, the atmosphere’s mellow, and the crowd’s full of familiar faces. It’s the perfect closing chapter to a week that’s been anything but ordinary.
Why go: A softer landing after days of heavy techno — same energy, just a little more soul.
How to Find More Hidden Gems
- Filter the Arts & Culture and Friends tabs on ADE’s official programme.
- Reserve early. Many of these smaller events sell out weeks ahead.
- ADE Pro Pass perks: Some shows, like GATE at Van Gogh, are free but still need booking.
- Plan with space. These experiences deserve time — don’t rush from one to the next.
Mix and match. Start with something thoughtful, then dive back into the chaos. Balance is key.
Final Thoughts
ADE has always been about discovery — not just new sounds, but new ways of listening.
This year, with Amsterdam’s 750th birthday woven through the programme, the city feels more alive than ever. You’ll still find the big nights and the heavy beats, but the real magic might be in a quiet museum, a church filled with ambient echoes, or under a ceiling of stars at the Planetarium.
So take a detour. Follow the light. The best part of ADE might just be the moment you least expect.
