Amsterdam Gay Pride
Amsterdam Gay Pride
4.5
About
Amsterdam’s citywide gay pride festival takes place the first weekend in August and attracts several hundred thousand visitors each year. The Canal Parade takes place Saturday and is one of the coolest parades in any pride festival. There are around 80 decorated boats filled with both female and male party-goers who get the 300,000 plus revellers even more excited. Street parties are a big part of the weekend event, including the Friday night Drag Queen Olympics at the Westermarkt. Sunday is the traditional Pride Closing Party that takes place on a huge stage at the Rembrandtplein with many Dutch artists and awesome DJ’s.
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The area
Neighbourhood: Centrum
Amsterdam’s buzzing hub, with its sprawling network of tram rails and a seemingly constant flow of tourists and commuters, yields convenient access to some of the best sightseeing, shopping, and street life in Europe. Closest at hand are the Royal Palace, the quaint shops of Haalremmerdijk, the pedestrianized zones Kalverstraat and Dam Square with popular neighborhoods such as the Red Light District, and the Canal Ring hardly more than a moment’s stroll away. With the well-connected Centraal Station as Centrum’s base, it's easy to travel farther afield via one of the city’s iconic trams.
How to get there
- Amsterdam Centraal • 10 min walk
- Amsterdam Centraal Station • 10 min walk
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
64 reviews
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46
Very good
14
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Anne D
Wimborne Minster, UK4,382 contributions
Aug 2019
We spent the week in Amsterdam during last year's (2019) Pride festival and can honestly say the whole event was absolutely amazing, especially the Saturday canal parade.
On the day of the parade, the whole city got involved in some way and partied from early morning onwards.
We found ourselves a spot on Prinsengracht canal a good hour before the first of the floats were due to arrive, which proved a very wise move as if we'd left it later we wouldn't have been able to see anything. We moved on to the Amstel later in the afternoon but the crowds were so huge we wished we'd hadn't moved from our original place.
We enjoyed it so much we're tempted to visit again in 2020.
On the day of the parade, the whole city got involved in some way and partied from early morning onwards.
We found ourselves a spot on Prinsengracht canal a good hour before the first of the floats were due to arrive, which proved a very wise move as if we'd left it later we wouldn't have been able to see anything. We moved on to the Amstel later in the afternoon but the crowds were so huge we wished we'd hadn't moved from our original place.
We enjoyed it so much we're tempted to visit again in 2020.
Written 26 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Danit H
1 contribution
Aug 2019
A very cool and fun experience for thous who are visiting Amsterdam on Pride time. We were there with our 3 teens (17-19) and had a Ballast! Its an event for the whole family. I recommend getting there early to find a good standing point, because the surroundings of the canal can get very packed and you will not see much otherwise.
Written 1 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rex T
12 contributions
Aug 2019 • Solo
Amazing experience and wonderful mixed of people. Very festive and the closing party at the Dam Square did have great performer line up
Written 21 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Solodam J
Amsterdam, The Netherlands35,357 contributions
Aug 2019
It was a week ago when the canal pride took place on the water of Prinsengracht. It was more crowded than years before. Everywhere you saw the colour of Gay Flag, Rainbow colour. Most of building shows their tolerance by using the rainbow flags for decoration even the USA consulate in Amsterdam, or covering the monuments etc. On the bridges there were flags of 2019 gay pride. Gay Pride is the second best visited Festival in Amsterdam after the King's Day.
Written 9 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sweetmarky
Vienna, Austria102 contributions
Aug 2019
I visited 3 pride Events this year: Maspalomas, Barcelona and now Ams. The best and most amusing one was the canal pride in Amsterdam. I recommend it because of it´s flair, the sympathic spectators from all over the world, the colourful streets and the friendly athomsphere.
Written 7 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Casey N
grand haven michigan82 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
This was by far the pride parade we’ve been to. We have been to many major ones in the US and this one was way better. The floats in the parade actually float down the river as this already is held on the canals. What a awesome time. Was so packed and the floats were awesome. No political BS floats that we have here in the US. Will definitely return for another.
Written 6 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kayleigh G
Aberdeen, UK168 contributions
Jul 2018 • Friends
Amsterdam was full of gay pride flags around the city, in bars, hanging off of windows etc. The city was full of celebrations over the weekend. In particular we really enjoyed the canal parade which had 80 boats passing through. We were at the end of the parade as it was the only place we could stand to see due to it being so busy! It wasn’t the best spot but at least we could see! The only disappointing thing was that near us was only ONE portaloo with huge queues beside it so we had to wait around 30 minutes to use it.
We really enjoyed the concerts in the evening at Dam Sqaure- so much so that we went on Friday and Saturday. There was a mixture of music and DJ’s throughout the evening and this ended at midnight. It was free entry and you either paid with tokens that you bought there or by card. It was €30 Euro for 10 tokens which got me 5 drinks, you also needed to use half of a token for a plastic cup.
Overall this was a great weekend with lots on and is worth the visit. If we go back we hope to go to the Drag Queen Olympic event!!
We really enjoyed the concerts in the evening at Dam Sqaure- so much so that we went on Friday and Saturday. There was a mixture of music and DJ’s throughout the evening and this ended at midnight. It was free entry and you either paid with tokens that you bought there or by card. It was €30 Euro for 10 tokens which got me 5 drinks, you also needed to use half of a token for a plastic cup.
Overall this was a great weekend with lots on and is worth the visit. If we go back we hope to go to the Drag Queen Olympic event!!
Written 6 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Madhu R
104 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
My wife and I happened to visit family and coincidentally we realised it was a Gay Pride parade the before yesterday.
With Amsterdam being a canal city, the parade was on boats. Whole of central city was full of tourists and onlookers, it was a festive spirit all over. As you can see in the picture it was colourful and grand. As many canals are interlinked the parade went on for 6 hours and as went home we watched last of the boats sailing through the canals next to our home. All in all it was a great experience.
With Amsterdam being a canal city, the parade was on boats. Whole of central city was full of tourists and onlookers, it was a festive spirit all over. As you can see in the picture it was colourful and grand. As many canals are interlinked the parade went on for 6 hours and as went home we watched last of the boats sailing through the canals next to our home. All in all it was a great experience.
Written 6 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bruce M
Amsterdam69 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
We were on the east side at the start of the parade. Good fun but somewhat subdued. Then we were on the west side (Westerdok) at the terminous. Great fun. The fans were much more involved. Sitting in windows, confetti, bubbles, etc.
Will do this again. Sort of like a mini Mardi Gras (without the beads).
Will do this again. Sort of like a mini Mardi Gras (without the beads).
Written 5 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Camilla H
Amsterdam, The Netherlands195 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
Wow!
Better than Kingsday - that's what my boyfriend said and I have to agree with him. The parade on water was well organised and a great show. The whole afternoon wandering down the canals that are the main route for Pride was a feast for the eyes. It's a good way to see Amsterdam at it's best and I'm proud to live in this city at moments like these.
Roll on next year!
Better than Kingsday - that's what my boyfriend said and I have to agree with him. The parade on water was well organised and a great show. The whole afternoon wandering down the canals that are the main route for Pride was a feast for the eyes. It's a good way to see Amsterdam at it's best and I'm proud to live in this city at moments like these.
Roll on next year!
Written 4 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Micky
Palermo, Italy95 contributions
What is the best place to see canal pride Amsterdam?
I mean where can I put myself to see all the boats parade through the canals?
Thanks in advance to those who will give me an answer, greetings
exploration111
2 contributions
Me and my friend would like to take part in the Amsterdam parade by riding one of the pride boats. Has anyone ever been on one of the boats? What can we do to experience pride on one of the canal boats? Thanks
kellbell123
manchester2 contributions
Do you need tickets for pride?
Ajax M
Winchester, UK27 contributions
No you do not for the parade that takes place on the canal but some entertainment you may need a ticket but most of what is happening is free
Chihiro L
Kyiv, Ukraine278 contributions
hey guys,
we'd like to watch the pride on sat Aug 6. Where and when should we go for it? Not locals so the more detailed the instructions the better.
Cheers!
LWL3333
Wellington, FL18,100 contributions
The route of the parade on the canals has been changed this year. Sorry, but I don't know the new route.
Maria C
Evora, Portugal
Que tipo de roupa devo usar na minha viagem , de 22-7 a 26-7 ?
Obrigada
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Frequently Asked Questions about Amsterdam Gay Pride
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