A run of ADE tear gas incidents during this year's Amsterdam Dance Event is now being linked to a series of suspected jewellery robberies. Tear gas and pepper spray disrupted several parties across the five-day event in October 2026, and police in Amsterdam received dozens of theft reports.

At a glance

  • What: suspected jewellery thefts involving tear gas and pepper spray
  • Where: several parties during Amsterdam Dance Event, in Amsterdam
  • When: across the five days of ADE 2026, which ran from 21 to 25 October
  • Police: dozens of theft reports so far, with no arrests reported

What we know

According to Dutch broadcaster AT5, police took dozens of theft reports over the course of the event. The authorities have not given an exact number, and more reports may still come in.

One of the incidents happened on Saturday evening during Franky Rizardo's FLOW event. Other reports point to parties at the Gashouder and the SugarFactory, where people say they were hit by a spray that left them disoriented.

Accounts suggest the method was similar each time. Someone released tear gas or pepper spray in a busy room, and valuables such as gold necklaces went missing in the confusion. Details vary between reports, so it is not yet clear how many separate groups were involved.

Medical teams were also called in. Reports mention that around 15 people needed first aid, and three of them were checked further at hospital. None were said to have been admitted.

Why it matters

Crowded club nights depend on people feeling safe on the dance floor. A spray released in a packed room can cause panic quickly, even when the aim is theft rather than harm.

This is also not the first time such an incident has been reported at ADE this year, which adds to concern among visitors and promoters. Anyone planning to attend big city events can take simple precautions, such as leaving valuable jewellery at home and staying aware of exits.

Police are still investigating and have not announced any arrests. If you were at an ADE party and believe you were affected, reporting it to the police helps investigators build a clearer picture of what happened.

Amsterdam's biggest dance week usually draws huge numbers of fans, artists and industry visitors from around the world. Organisers and venues will likely face questions about security before next year's edition.

Source: We Rave You. Photo: Lisa Fotios on Pexels.