ADE 2025 x Amsterdam 750: Celebrating 750 Years of Music

Blog written by Mark Ashford

ADE 2025 x Amsterdam 750: A Celebration of Music, Culture, and Community

Amsterdam is turning 750 years old — and what better way to celebrate than through music, creativity, and culture?
This year’s Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) will join forces with Amsterdam 750 to transform the city into a weeklong cultural landmark from October 22–26, 2025, blending electronic music, art, and community into one massive birthday celebration.

A Bridge Between Milestones

ADE 2025 lands just one day before Amsterdam’s official 750th birthday on October 27, 2025, making the festival not just a global music event — but a bridge between the city’s past, present, and future.

Expect a citywide showcase of sound, art, and culture that honors Amsterdam’s heritage while pushing forward the next era of electronic creativity.

ADE Arts & Culture x 750: Where Sound Meets Heritage

Under the banner ADE Arts & Culture x 750, the program will highlight the city’s artistic heartbeat through immersive performances, cultural collaborations, and one-of-a-kind shows at Amsterdam’s most iconic venues.

Here are some highlights you don’t want to miss:

+ Opening Specials at ARTIS Planetarium

Two breathtaking audiovisual performances:

Synth legend Suzanne Ciani brings her modular soundscapes to life.

Visual artist Julius Horsthuis teams up with Rival Consoles for a full sensory experience.

+ Suriname Rising – 50 Years of Freedom in Music (Concertgebouw)

A powerful celebration of Surinamese heritage and its deep influence on modern electronic and dance music.

+ ZERØBPM at Thomaskerk

A 39.5-hour ambient meditation marathon featuring 26 artists — a serene contrast to ADE’s high-energy club nights.

+ A Night of Chinese Club Culture (Wereldmuseum Amsterdam)

Exploring the rise of electronic sounds from China’s underground scenes, celebrating diversity in global club culture.

+ Amsterdam’s Birthday Live Sessions (Concertgebouw)

On October 27 — the city’s official birthday — Young Marco, Legowelt, and Mary Lake will perform live ambient sessions paying homage to Amsterdam’s musical legacy.

ADE Friends x 750: Music for Everyone

The ADE Friends program expands this year in partnership with Amsterdam 750, turning the city into an open playground for DJs, record lovers, and creators.

Across 130+ locations, visitors can expect:

+ In-store DJ sets and vinyl marathons
+ Live radio broadcasts from local collectives
+ Music-meets-sport events
+ Pop-up community hangouts

Everything is free to join, creating a rare moment where locals and visitors experience Amsterdam together through the language of sound.

“We are delighted that ADE and their vibrant Friends network celebrate along as we near the end of an unforgettable anniversary year and the city’s actual 750th birthday,”
said Sietse Bakker, Director of Amsterdam 750.

Amsterdam 750: The Year-Long Celebration

Amsterdam’s 750th anniversary officially kicked off in October 2024 with more than 400 events so far — from exhibitions and neighborhood activities to massive outdoor festivals.

The grand finale arrives on October 27, 2025, with a national musical tribute broadcast live on NPO 1, wrapping up a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of music, art, and community.

Why This Year’s ADE Matters More Than Ever

ADE has always been about connection — between genres, generations, and global music communities. But this year, it’s also a tribute to the city that gave electronic culture a home.

For artists, producers, and fans alike, ADE 2025 is a reminder of how far Amsterdam — and dance music — has come, and where it’s headed next.

Stay tuned to Soda Music for exclusive coverage, artist highlights, and behind-the-scenes stories from ADE 2025 x Amsterdam 750.