Amsterdam Pride Week 2026: A Celebration Like No Other
- Inbal Tur-Shalom ענבל טור-שלום
- Jul 18, 2019
- 9 min read
Updated: Jan 22
Every summer, people from around the world gather in Amsterdam for one of the most joyful, colorful, and unforgettable events in Europe: Amsterdam Pride. This world-famous celebration isn’t just for the LGBTQ+ community — it attracts partygoers, photographers, curious travelers, and anyone who wants to experience a city that celebrates freedom, diversity, and love. Unless you're truly crowd-averse, this is one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences you don’t want to miss.
But when did it all begin? Why is Amsterdam considered a global symbol of LGBTQ+ rights? And what should you expect during Pride Week? Let’s dive in.
✅ This blog post is updated as new information becomes available from event organizers, exhibition curators, and activity providers. Follow this post for the latest updates and recommendations.
A Brief History of LGBTQ+ Rights in the Netherlands
The Netherlands has long been a pioneer in LGBTQ+ rights. Homosexuality was decriminalized as early as 1811, and Amsterdam was home to the world’s first official gay bar, established in 1927. In 1946, the country saw the founding of its first LGBTQ+ rights organization. And in 2001, the Netherlands became the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage.
Because of this progressive history, Amsterdam is often seen as the birthplace of modern LGBTQ+ rights. Over time, the acronym has expanded to include a wider spectrum of identities (LGBTQIA+), and the Pride flag has evolved to reflect that inclusivity — something you’ll see celebrated vibrantly throughout the city during Pride Week.
Today, the Netherlands consistently ranks among the world’s most LGBTQ+-friendly countries. Statistics show that LGBTQ+ individuals — including those in the military, police, or politics — generally feel free to live openly. However, younger people still report facing online harassment, highlighting the continued importance of visibility and education.
👉🏼 Related reading: Amsterdam’s LGBTQ+ Scene: History, Monuments & Nightlife
The Global Spark Behind Pride
The first Pride marches were inspired by the Stonewall Riots in New York City on June 28, 1969, when members of the gay and trans communities stood up against a police raid on the Stonewall Inn. These protests sparked a global movement for equality.
In the Netherlands, smaller demonstrations began in the 1970s, with the first official
Pride parade taking place in 1977. However, Amsterdam’s unique version of Pride — as we know it today — began in 1996, not as a political protest, but as a celebration of personal freedom and the rich diversity of humanity.
Each year, the Netherlands hosts two major Pride events:
Pink Saturday in June (in a different city each year) to honor the Stonewall legacy.
Amsterdam Pride in early August — the country’s most famous celebration.
What Makes Amsterdam Pride So Unique?
Pride Week 2026 officially kicks off on Saturday, July 25, and runs through Sunday, August 9. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Pride in Amsterdam, and the festival theme is LOVE.
The highlight is the spectacular Canal Parade — the only Pride parade in the world that floats. Imagine dozens of elaborately decorated boats sailing through the historic canals, each pulsing with music, dancing, and color. It’s a sight to behold, and the energy is electric.
Top Events During Amsterdam Pride Week 2026
If you're planning a visit during Pride Week, here are some standout events you won’t want to miss — whether you identify as LGBTQ+ or are simply an ally who wants to join the fun.
🏳️🌈 Pride Walk – A March for Global Awareness
Amsterdam’s Pride Walk opens the week with a powerful reminder: LGBTQ+ rights are not equal everywhere. Marchers carry flags of countries where homosexuality is still criminalized, raising awareness and promoting global solidarity. After the walk, enjoy a festive afternoon at Vondelpark with live performances, sports competitions, games, and a vibrant pink market.
When: Saturday, July 25, 2026, at 11:00 AM
Where: Starts at Amstelveld and continues through Utrechtsestraat, Leidseplein, and ends at Vondelpark
🎉 Pride Park Opening Party
Join thousands of revelers in the lush Vondelpark for a free, all-ages festival featuring live music, art, food, and performances by both emerging talents and international LGBTQ+ stars. There will also be youth activities, a pink market with handmade goods, and plenty of opportunities to celebrate love in all its forms.
When: Saturday, July 25, 2026, 12:00-10:00 PM
Where: Vondelpark
🎶 Milkshake Festival
An Amsterdam favorite, Milkshake Festival is a two-day outdoor dance party celebrating inclusivity, freedom, and fun. With nine stages and a lineup of international DJs and performers, it's a must for music lovers.
When: Saturday & Sunday, July 25–26, 2026
Where: Westerpark
🎬 Open-Air Cinema
Enjoy two evenings of LGBTQ+-themed films under the stars at a pop-up cinema. Entry is free, but seating is limited to 400, so arrive early to grab a spot.
When: July 29-30, 2026
Seating: 8:00 PM | Film starts: 9:00 PM
Where: Mercatorplein (Mercator Square)
🎤 Senior Pride Concert
This heartwarming concert pays tribute to the older generation — the trailblazers who paved the way for today’s freedoms. Set in the beautiful Nieuwmarkt Square, the evening features live performances by beloved singers and bands. Open to everyone, including local residents.
When: Thursday, July 31, 2025, 6:00 PM–11:00 PM
Where: Nieuwmarkt
📸 Pride Photo Exhibitions
This international annual photography competition showcases powerful visual stories from the global queer community. It’s a platform dedicated to increasing visibility and promoting diversity in sexuality and gender.
1) “Queer Havens” A moving photo exhibition exploring safe spaces and the meaning of sanctuary in the LGBTQ+ world.
📅 July 12 – August 10, 2025
📍 Meterhuis, Westerpark
2) “Legacies of Identity: Queer Histories of Third Genders” This powerful exhibit at the Melkweg Expo dives into the often-overlooked stories of third-gender communities around the world.
📅 July 17 – August 24, 2025
📍 Melkweg Expo
👠 Drag Olympics
A fan-favorite event full of humor, glitter, and athleticism, the Drag Olympics is the world’s leading sporting competition for drag queens and kings. Events include the stiletto sprint, handbag toss, and beach volleyball — all served with campy charm.
📅 Friday, July 18, 2025 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 Homomonument (near Westerkerk)
🎤 Queer Storytelling Nights
Hosted in English at the cozy Mezrab Club, this evening features heartfelt storytelling and live music on LGBTQ+ themes. Entry is free (donations welcome), and drinks and warm soup are available on-site.
📅 Tuesdays: July 22 & July 29, 2025 | Doors: 7:30 PM | Start: 8:00 PM
📍 Mezrab Club
💎 “Cocks and Cunts” Jewelry Exhibition
This bold and creative exhibit by artists Yotam Bahat and Daniel Yarkovsky explores the human body as a source of pride. These one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces celebrate gender identity, freedom, and self-expression.
📅 July 25 – August 2, 2025 | 1:30 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 The WearHouse
🏺 “EMBRACE” Multidisciplinary Art Exhibition
Spanning four gallery spaces inside a historic church, this thought-provoking exhibit examines the relationship between LGBTQ+ identity and religion through ceramics, prints, illustration, photography, and video.
A personal note: One of the participating photographers, Arjan Spannenburg, is someone I’ve worked with during his photography studies. It’s a beautiful, moving project.
📅 July 18 – August 3, 2025 | 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Opening night: July 18 | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
📍 Oude Lutherse Kerk
💃 INK Goes PINK
A festive evening at the stylish INK Hotel with music, dancing, drinks, bites, a makeup booth, and a pink welcome cocktail to get the night started.
📅 Thursday, July 24, 2025 | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
📍 INK Hotel, Amsterdam
🔗 Shibari & Flogging Demonstration Night
For the more adventurous and artistically curious: a guided demonstration of Shibari (Japanese rope art) and flogging techniques in a safe and consensual environment.
📅 Tuesday, July 29, 2025 | 8:00 PM
📍 Fosbury & Sons Coworking Space
The Night Before the Parade: Street Party Fever
The Friday night before the big parade is when the celebration reaches its peak. Several streets in the city center close off to all traffic — including bicycles — and become festive zones with outdoor concerts, drag shows, DJ sets, and quirky contests.
The atmosphere? Think carnival meets open-air nightclub. Join thousands of revelers, grab a drink or a street snack from one of the many food stalls, and dance the night away under the stars.
📍 Main hotspots: Zeedijk, Warmoesstraat, Amstel, Reguliersdwarsstraat, Kerkstraat, near the Homomonument and, of course, Dam Square.
👚 Dress code tip: Wear something pink or rainbow colors to blend in with the joyful crowd!
Amsterdam Pride Parade Flotilla | Photo: © Inbal Tur-Shalom
The Grand Canal Parade – Saturday, August 1, 2026
On Saturday, the centerpiece of Pride Week sails through Amsterdam’s UNESCO-listed canals: the world-famous Canal Parade. This year’s route begins near the Maritime Museum, glides down the Amstel River, enters the Prinsengracht canal, and ends around 6:00 PM near Central Station.
🕛 Start time: 12:00 PM sharp
🚤 Number of boats: ~80 elaborately decorated vessels
🎭 Participants: Large companies (like Google), LGBTQ+ organizations, cultural institutions, and allies
📸 Best views: Along the bridges — but arrive hours in advance if you want a good spot!
Each boat reflects a unique theme with costumes, decorations, music, and live dancers. It's a one-of-a-kind visual spectacle — colorful, musical, and deeply moving.
The crowds are massive, both on land and on the water. And yes — it will be very crowded. The parade route stretches for a few kilometers, but prime photo and viewing spots are few and far between. Plan accordingly!
💡 Saturday style tip: Think pink and rainbow colors, again! Wander the streets, people-watch, soak in the festive energy, and enjoy being part of something truly unforgettable.
🎉 After-Parties and Closing Festivities
The moment the last boat sails through the canal, the after-parties begin. Starting as early as 4:00 PM, lively street parties spring up in every major square — from Rembrandtplein to Amstelveld, Dam Square, Spui, and Zeedijk.
The official Pride Closing Party takes place on:
📅 Sunday, August 3, 2025 | 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM
📍 Dam Square
🎶 Expect big-name DJs, dancing, and one last joyful explosion of love, pride, and togetherness.
Public Transportation During Pride Week
During the Pride Walk parade, buses and trams with routes that overlap or run parallel to the parade may be rerouted or temporarily stopped. Disruptions to public transport are also possible during the weekend of the Canal Parade.
If you're staying outside of Amsterdam and planning to visit the city on the day of the Canal Parade, I recommend taking a train to Amsterdam Central Station and continuing on foot, or taking a train to another Train Station in Amsterdam and from there a metro into the city center.
👉🏼Related reading: How to Use Public Transportation in Amsterdam and the Netherlands: The Traveler’s Guide
If you’re coming by car, I strongly recommend parking outside the city center and continuing with public transportation. You’ll find detailed instructions and advice in this blog post: How to Experience Amsterdam Like a Local: 6 Essential Tips Every Visitor Should Know
Tips for Visiting Amsterdam During Pride
1. Book Early! Pride Week is one of the busiest times of the year in Amsterdam. Accommodations, concerts, and special events sell out months in advance. If you're planning to attend in 2026, book your hotel and tickets as soon as possible.
2. Attractions Remain Open Since Pride is not a national holiday, most shops, museums, and attractions will operate as usual. That said, double-check websites for any adjusted hours.
3. Watch Your Belongings. Large crowds mean more opportunity for pickpockets. The city deploys special police units, but you should still use common sense:
Leave your passport, credit cards, and excess cash in your hotel safe.
Carry a copy of your passport, a small amount of cash, and your phone in a front or inside pocket.
Avoid backpacks in crowded areas.
Amsterdam Pride – A Celebration Like No Other
Hundreds of thousands of locals and tourists celebrate Pride all over Amsterdam – in the streets, canals, squares, parks, balconies, gardens, and everywhere in between. The city turns pink and festive, hosting the biggest street party of the year (along with King’s Day, of course!). If you love Pride, street parties, colorful parades, and crowds full of joy and energy – this is for you. I promise an unforgettable, wild, and wonderful experience – plus plenty of opportunities to snap funny, romantic, moving, and occasionally bizarre moments 😜
Almost every year, I go out to watch, feel the vibe, and of course, take photos. It’s a vibrant, joyful carnival and extremely photogenic! You can already find images from previous years on my Instagram (scroll down the feed), and photos from this year will be added soon. Feel free to follow along!
Amsterdam Pride Week is an unforgettable celebration of freedom, identity, and joy — open to all. Whether you join for the art, the parade, the parties, or the powerful sense of community, it’s an event that leaves a lasting impression.
So don’t just read about it — come experience it.
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