reservations@boatandco.nl +31 (0) 20 2461 500

Where to celebrate Pride in Amsterdam?

July, 30th 2022

What began as a small, one-day event in Amsterdam in 1996 has expanded to a multi-day festival, attracting more than 500,000 visitors from the Netherlands and abroad.

Where to celebrate Pride in Amsterdam?

After a two-year pandemic pause, Pride is back in 2022! This year’s theme: ‘My Gender, My Pride’. One of the most powerful messages of Pride celebrations: we should feel free to love whoever we want and be whatever gender we feel is the right one for us. During Pride, the Dutch capital transforms into one big rainbow party, and this year we expect lots of happy crowds, colourful streets and cool parties. So, get ready to celebrate Pride; these are our best tips for Pride this year.

 

Programme highlights of Pride Amsterdam 2022

What began as a small, one-day event in Amsterdam in 1996 has expanded to a multi-day festival, attracting more than 500,000 visitors from the Netherlands and abroad. Here's an overview of the programme highlights of Pride Amsterdam, enjoy!

 

Canal Parade

The most famous Pride event in Amsterdam is the Canal Parade; it has become an annual highlight of the festival that draws countless visitors every year. The Canal Parade takes place on August 6, from 12 PM – 6 PM. It’s a string of gaudily decorated boats sailing through Amsterdam's UNESCO protected canal ring. At 12 AM the first boats depart from Oosterdok, and sail to Nieuwe Herengracht, Amstel and Prinsengracht to their final destination, Westerdok. Make sure to be there on time to find a good spot along the canal to fully experience the Canal Parade. Ready? Grab your glowsticks, throw some glitter around and enjoy all the boats packed with dancers!  

Canal pride route 2022

Open Air Cinema

The ‘Roze Filmavonden’ (Pink Film nights) are also back this year, with several open-air cinemas throughout the city. The most famous one is at Mercatorplein, where you can enjoy a queer movie night on the 3rd and 4th of August (8:00 PM to 12:00 AM). Bring your own snacks and drinks, and be on time, because there are limited seats available. Oh, good to know: it's completely free! *Grabs popcorn*

 

Drag Olympics

No plans yet on Friday, August 5? Go to (or sign up for) the Drag Olympics: the world's premier sporting event for drag queens & kings, where the crème de la crème of the drag athletic world descending on Amsterdam to compete for Olympic Gold. This Drag Athlete competition includes true classics such as the 'Stiletto Sprint', 'Handbag Toss', 'Bitch Volleyball' and Equestrian dressage (Horse Training).

 

HeBiHo at Amstelveld

Visit HeBiHo, Amsterdam's largest VrijMiBo, on August 5. It's the first day of the two-day party on Amstelveld, and free to visit. The next day, on August 6, it's time for ‘Our Love 2022’. This year, many top artists from the metropolitan queer and Underground scene will be there! HeBiHo is definitely a place to check out, so enjoy an amazing line-up, lots of dancing people and colourful drinks from 5 PM.

 

Festive street parties

During Pride, there are lots of parties throughout the city. The Reguliersdwarsstraat in particular is crowded for a huge party. This street is well known for its countless LHBTIQ-friendly bars and clubs. You can also party until the early hours on Rembrandtplein, Zeedijk, and Nieuwmarkt. Want to have a clear overview? Here’s a list of our favourites Pride places:

  • Westermarkt (5 PM – 12 AM)
  • Amstelveld (5 PM – 12 AM)
  • Spuistraat 109 (Prik, 7 PM – 12 AM)
  • Dam (7 PM – 12 AM)
  • Zeedijk (7 PM – 12 AM)
  • Beursplein (7 PM – 12 AM)
  • Regulierdwarsstraat (7 PM – 12 AM)
  • Rembrandtplein (Cafe Montmatrtre, 7 PM – 12 AM)
  • Stoperaplein (7 PM – 12 AM)
  • Marnixstraat 246 (Waterkant, 7 PM – 12 AM)

Cafés to celebrate Pride

Amsterdam has countless cafés where you can celebrate Pride, but these are some of the cities favourites: Lellebel (Dragshow bar), Pamela (queer bar), Bar Buka (a new gay bar 'where girls meet'), Taboo bar and Spijkerbar (one of the oldest, most friendly, gay bars in Amsterdam).

 

Afterparty vibes? Go to Mariposa

Want to keep parting after the Canal Parade on August 6? Go to IJland (Amsterdam-Noord), where the first edition of Mariposa Festival will take place. At Mariposa you can celebrate that you’re free (Mariposa means ‘butterfly’ in Spanish). So spread your wings, listen to the music, and dance all night. Expect jungle vibes and house music during this Pride Amsterdam closing party. Good to know: the party starts at 4 PM.

 

More activities

Looking for more interesting events during Pride? Check out the Rocky Horror Show (cult musical in DeLaMar theatre); go to Exhibition Iconic Stories (a series of portraits of LHBTIQ+ people), or visit the Monument of Visibility (the Zero Flags project on Museumplein).

So, tell us: what are your plans for Pride?