Amsterdam Dance Event has dropped its first artist announcement for ADE 2026, confirming more than 250 acts for what will be the festival’s 30th anniversary edition. Running from 21 to 25 October across Amsterdam, the full programme is expected to grow to more than 3,000 artists spread across more than 200 venues — making this milestone edition one of the most ambitious the event has staged.
The headline names in this opening wave span a broad sweep of electronic music. Avalon Emerson, Chlär, DJ Nobu, Eris Drew, Folamour, Freddy K, Fumi, Funk Assault, Jyoty, Octo Octa, Philippa Pacho, Prospa, Scooter, Skepta, Skin On Skin and Yanamaste are among those confirmed, alongside Benwal, Kyle Starkey, Lammer, Marsolo, Novah, Paige Tomlinson, Pegassi and Tjade. The selection pulls from techno, house, bass, club and live performance formats, as well as crossover projects — a signal that the 30th edition is not narrowing its scope for the occasion.
Several major events have already been locked in. Skepta returns with a larger version of his Más Tiempo show at Warehouse Elementenstraat, building on previous ADE appearances. David Guetta will bring his Monolith show to AMF, while Jean-Michel Jarre has been named as the official 30 Years ADE guest of honour — a nod toward the event’s broader cultural reach beyond club-focused programming.
One of the more significant announcements concerns Gashouder, the iconic Amsterdam venue that is returning to ADE during its pre-opening season. Eight events are already confirmed there, featuring Armin van Buuren and Benwal, I Hate Models and Nico Moreno, Job Jobse, Mochakk, Franky Rizardo, Sammy Virji and Josh Baker. The venue carries considerable weight in the city’s electronic music history, and its return adds a layer of significance to an already landmark year.
MOJO has outlined its own ADE 2026 slate, which includes two KI/KI 5 Hours shows, OUTWORLD — Klangkuenstler All Night Long at Ziggo Dome, 10 Years of STMPD RCRDS and Unreal Germany at AFAS Live. Meanwhile, Melkweg has confirmed the ADE Opening Concert featuring Kybba and Metropole Orkest, alongside FACE 2 FACE, San Holo and Droeloe, Nimino, Starjunk 95 and Dave Clarke Presents: 30 Years of ADE. Paradiso’s early confirmations include Malugi, State OFFF, Lawrence Hart and Speedy J presents STOOR Live.
The promoter announcements add further weight to the first wave. Intercell has revealed more than 65 artists across 13 events, with Eris Drew, Lola Edo, Octo Octa, DJ Nobu, Gi Gi FM, Philippa Pacho, Skin On Skin, SPFDJ, 999999999, Freddy K and Yanamaste among the confirmed names. DGTL is bringing more than 45 artists across seven events — Folamour, Joris Voorn, Kevin de Vries, Miss Monique, NTO live, Tinlicker, Benwal, DJ EZ, Lammer, MPH and Olive Anguz are all on the bill. Into the Woods has announced more than 25 artists including ANNĒ, Clara Cuvé, DJ BORING, ELIF, Gaskin, Jyoty, Marsolo, Obskür, ØTTA, Sam Alfred and Young Marco.
Broader name checks from the initial release also include Adam Beyer, Adriatique, Amelie Lens, Chloé Caillet, Daria Kolosova and FJAAK, suggesting the full programme will cover the full spectrum of the global electronic music circuit when subsequent announcements arrive.
What has been revealed so far represents roughly the first eight percent of the total ADE 2026 artist count. For an event that functions simultaneously as a festival and as the electronic music industry’s primary annual gathering — for artists, labels, promoters and technology companies alike — the 30th edition is shaping up to be a significant moment. Further announcements are expected to follow in the months ahead.
Sources: Attack Magazine, Decoded Magazine
