About NCI
Measuring the cultural value of the night
The Nighttime Culture Index exists to protect nighttime culture and the communities who create and sustain it. It moves conversations about the night away from just regulation and economics, and toward the value of its culture.
Methodology
How the index is made
Our sources, how we built the scores, and the limits of this first edition.
What the NCI is
The Nighttime Culture Index is a yearly index of nighttime culture in cities. The first edition covers six cities and six dimensions. The Index is published by partners VibeLab and Amsterdam Dance Event.
Each city is scored from 0 to 100 on indicators. Every score comes with its context: the data behind it and what the people from each city said.
Why it matters
Cities measure the night’s economic impact, and what it costs in noise, crime and policing. Its culture is rarely counted. The Index provides evidence of that cultural value, which can be used in policy and investment decisions alongside economic figures.
Six dimensions
Each dimension is built from two to eight indicators, 30 in all, and is scored from 0 to 100. Go through the dimensions to see what they measure, why it matters and how each city scores.
Creative Ecology
How does the local cultural ecosystem support original creative work and careers, through both educational opportunities and experimental, diverse programming?
Explore Creative Ecology →Space & Infrastructure
What kind of physical spaces host night culture, and how many are there? How accessible and reliable is nighttime transport?
Explore Space & Infrastructure →Diversity & Representation
How does a city’s night culture represent its residents: across cultural background, economic status, gender, physical ability, sexuality?
Explore Diversity & Representation →Community & Belonging
How does nightlife feel in a city, and who has the power to shape a scene? Who feels safe at night, and what data and resources support safer nights for different communities?
Explore Community & Belonging →Policy & Civic Health
How is nighttime culture protected and valued in governance structures and programmes, both within and outside of government?
Explore Policy & Civic Health →Sustainability & Environment
How are venues, events and festivals reducing their environmental footprint, and with what support? Are festivals using their platforms to change behaviour?
Explore Sustainability & Environment →
Who it is for
The Index is for everyone who funds, regulates, makes or supports the night. That includes the people who make decisions about nightlife and the people who create it.
- Brands
- Government
- Grassroots / Creators
- Nightlife Industry
- Nonprofit
About the publishers
The NCI is an initiative by VibeLab and Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE).
- VibeLab
- A data-driven research, consultancy and advocacy agency dedicated to preserving nighttime culture.
- Amsterdam Dance Event
- One of the world’s largest music and cultural events, with 600,000 visitors in 2025.