Amsterdam Dance Event and VibeLab launch Nighttime Culture Index

Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) and VibeLab have partnered to launch the Nighttime Culture Index (NCI), a new global initiative designed to measure the cultural vitality of nightlife. While the global nighttime economy is estimated to generate between US$3 trillion and US$4 trillion annually and employ one in ten people, the NCI focuses on cultural value rather than purely economic impact.

The first edition of the index will launch this October during ADE’s 30th anniversary. It will assess six cities across six continents: Amsterdam, Lagos, New York, São Paulo, Seoul, and Sydney. Each city is evaluated based on six dimensions: Diversity & Representation, Creative Ecology, Space & Infrastructure, Community & Belonging, Policy & Civic Health, and Sustainability & Environment.

The project aims to provide industry figures, grassroots scenes, and city leaders with shared evidence through an interactive public dashboard and an annual report. The partnership is planned as a three-year project, with the original six cities returning annually and at least two additional cities being added in 2027 and 2028.