Amsterdam night mayor launches massive afterparty program for A10 Parade
At least 20 nightclubs and bars across Amsterdam will host afterparties on June 21 following a large-scale dance parade on the A10 highway, part of the city’s 750th anniversary celebrations, Het Parool reports.
The full-day event, Op de Ring, will turn 15 kilometers of the A10 into a temporary cultural zone with music, theater, dance, and even a pop-up forest. The highway, normally one of the busiest in the country, will be car-free for the occasion.
Freek Wallagh, Amsterdam’s 26-year-old night mayor, is overseeing both the daytime parade and the evening program. “It’s a bit of a cliché, but Amsterdam 750 is not complete without the night,” Wallagh told Het Parool. “With an afterparty program involving many bars and nightclubs, we can show that nightlife is truly part of the city—and give some recognition to the people who work during those hours.”
Wallagh expects many visitors won’t head home after the day’s festivities. “Knowing Amsterdammers, a lot of people will want to continue,” he said. “That will be possible at one of the participating nightclubs or bars.”
Confirmed venues include Melkweg, The Pool Bar, city beach club Kaap, Café Pollux, and community kitchen and culture center De Sering. More clubs are expected to join in the coming weeks.
Each venue is developing its own programming. Melkweg will host a special edition of Encore, its popular hip-hop and R&B night, featuring only Amsterdam-based artists. De Sering will serve food and stage a nighttime photo exhibition curated by Humans of Amsterdam. The Pool Bar and Pollux are preparing themed drinks for the event.
“We’re not curating content from above,” said Wallagh. “Each participant decides how they want to give something back to the city. That keeps the program as diverse as possible. There’s bound to be something fun for everyone.” Some locations will offer free entry, others discounted tickets.
During the day, music trucks will drive slowly along the A10, each hosted by different cultural collectives. Punk and rock will be represented by Wap Shoo Wap, while the Pyxls collective will bring a truck focused on hyperpop.
“We’re happy we were able to get that done,” Wallagh said. “It takes a lot of organization, but this way we’re making the program on the Ring as broad and inclusive as possible.”
While the full daytime lineup won’t be revealed until May 21, Wallagh said it was important to announce the night program early to give venues enough time to prepare and promote ticket sales.
“We’ve asked the organizers of the day event to take that into account,” he said. “Many bars and clubs are going the extra mile. The more time they have, the better the night will be.”
