Free parties during ADE

The World’s Longest Back-to-Back DJ Set

Here’s one for the books – literally, as this DJ marathon is a Guinness World Records attempt. The mission is to create the longest continuous, back-to-back DJ set of all time, which means you can drop by while a constant stream of DJs go head to head throughout the festival – for over 100 hours. Anyone can stop by and watch from the Kerstraat through the windows of Fosbury music studio, but you can also make a charitable donation to gain access. Truly an ambitious party, perfect for this anniversary year of ADE.

The World’s Longest Back-to-Back DJ Set hosted by Fosbury music studio| 12:00 Wednesday 21 October - 23:59 Sunday 25 October | Fosbury & Sons | Donation-based entry

Lobster invites Bisque, Kyra Khaldi, Mella Dee b2b Samuel Deep

Here’s a sneaky one that you won’t find on ADE’s official free party list. Out amongst the greenery of BRET (a container-based venue with a sizeable garden), this roster of house and techno DJs are taking over for the first night of the festival – all for free. Hosted by Bisque (aka Lobster), with fellow house heads Kyra Khaldi, Mella Dee and Samuel Deep, this is a night dedicated to unpretentious, bouncy dance music. So snap up that RSVP while they last, and you can open ADE in style without breaking the bank. 

Lobster invites Bisque, Kyra Khaldi, Mella Dee b2b Samuel Deep [techno set]| Wednesday 21 October | 22:00 - 07:00 | BRET | Free to RSVP

DTLA x Saturo Sounds

ADE is the perfect excuse for Amsterdam bars to get in on the action, and the city’s many queer spaces are no exception. This venue specifically caters to and celebrates bears, but anyone is welcome as long as you are queer-friendly. Bears is hosting a full roster of free parties throughout the festival, including this head-to-head between labels DTLA (Deep Tech Los Angeles) and Saturo Sounds, both focused on the “deeper side” of house and techno. So strap in and ride the good vibes – whether or not you enter the playroom.

DTLA x Saturo Sounds| Thursday 22 October | 22:00 - 04:00 | Bears Amsterdam | Free to RSVP

GROOVE KITCHEN Live

Besides organising high-end ADE events like the Club Train, techno promoters 50:Hertz are also fronting this ADE-focused cafe just off the bustling Rembrandtplein in central Amsterdam. At this cosy corner, there will be free parties during the entire festival season – including this funky number from UK-based collective Groove Kitchen. Their DJs will be cooking up some soulful shades of groove and house music until late, all for absolutely free.

GROOVE KITCHEN Live at 50:HERTZ House & Techno Cafe Rembrandt Square| Thursday 22 October | 22:00 - 04:00 | 50:HERTZ House & Techno Cafe Rembrandt Square | Free

Drumcity

Why not make the most of an Amsterdam-based dance festival and get loose in a truly typical location? Cafe Brandon is just the place: a cosy, historic “brown cafe” in the heart of the canal belt. And it’s raising the roof this ADE with a selection of free parties. This standout night invites London-based label Drumcity for an early evening boogie: expect colourful shades of Afro house and a friendly dancefloor – without spending a penny, and with the option to make it home for an early night. Unless, of course, you’re just warming up.

Drumcity | Friday 23 October | 18:00 - 22:00 | Cafe Brandon | Free

Tokyo After Dark: ZIPANG

Even outside of peak party season, you’re guaranteed a good time over on the Reguliersdwarsstraat, a street famous for its concentration of LGBTQ venues. Blend XL is doing its part this ADE, with its own selection of nights all for free, including this international special. Returning after a successful 2025 edition, ZIPANG presents Tokyo After Dark, inviting DJs from Japan and Singapore to showcase their unique flavours of cutting-edge house and techno. 

Tokyo After Dark: ZIPANG| Friday 23 October | 22:00 - 04:00 | Blend XL | Free

The Sounds of Blackness

Dance music is Black music, and you can hear that louder at some events than others. This year, you can celebrate those origins over the river at NDSM in Van de Werf, sister venue to nearby Pllek. Alongside another night on Sunday at PRIK, this will be a groovy programme going back to Black roots, with soulful house, techno and plenty of funk, soul and disco that influenced it. A great excuse to shake it loose on the dancefloor or wiggle while still seated at the table.

The Sounds of Blackness| Friday 23 October | 20:00 - 02:00 | Bar - Restaurant Van de Werf | Free

Nervous Records

Besides its bars and cafes, Amsterdam’s record shops are also tapping into ADE festivities, with plenty of in-store events and free parties among the racks. Label and record store Bordello A Parigi goes one step further, offering up its bar space Bordello Aperitivo for several label showcases throughout ADE. Saturday evening hands the decks over to legendary New York label Nervous Records, home to house and hip-hop pioneers since 1991, for guaranteed grooviness. And you can always keep it rolling by staying on for the next showcase, starting right afterwards.

Nervous Records| Saturday 24 October | 17:00 - 21:00 | Bordello Aperitivo | Free

Women of House

While there’s still much to fight for, women in electronic dance music have made leaps and bounds over the three decades since ADE began. Championing that legacy and the many talented female artists around today is Women of House, an energetic celebration of all shades of house music, with an all-female lineup. This year, DJs from Korea, the US and Spain are invited to the LGBTQ bar PRIK on the Spuistraat, where plenty of other free events are taking place over festival season.See also an earlier iteration on Thursday at Van de Werf.

Women of House| Saturday 24 October | 20:00 - 03:00 | PRIK | Free

AADE: ADEV after

ADE isn’t for everyone. Enter AADE (Amsterdam Alternative Dance Event), explicitly outside of and a reaction to ADE itself. This fringe programme of parties and events is explicitly less commercial and detached from big industry players. Every year there’s a street rave on Saturday, part of a diverse programme packed with affordable, edgy events, such as this epic closer at the former squat OT301, featuring legendary Rotterdam DJ Alberta Balsam. A perfect detour for alternative genres, crowds and tastes.

AADE: ADEV after| Sunday 25 October | 20:00 - 03:00 | €8-12

Safety disclaimer and advice during Amsterdam Dance Event

We want you to have a fantastic time at ADE — but safety first. Know that the (mis)use of drugs is illegal, and there are real health risks involved. Stay hydrated, eat well, and avoid mixing substances. Through ADE's “Celebrate Safe” campaign, venues will have enhanced security, medical aid stations, and staff on hand to provide assistance. For your journey home (or between events), services like Diva Ride (female-driver option) are available to offer an inclusive ride. Take care of yourself and those around you. If anything feels wrong, physically or in your surroundings, don’t wait: get help immediately. Know your limits and respect those of others.