Photo by Pride Amsterdam.nl
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Pride in Amsterdam

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Pride Amsterdam is a festival to celebrate that you can be who you are and may love whoever you want. A weekend per year, LGBTs (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) determine the norm in the Dutch capital. Grandfathers and grandmothers dressed in pink with grandchildren in t-shirts like "my best friend is gay" or "gay for a day" can be seen throughout the city. The fact that they can celebrate their individual freedom so openly and together with the rest of the city is amazing.

Pride Amsterdam is not just an event. It symbolizes the open and tolerant city that Amsterdam is. To celebrate the freedom to be yourself. For twenty years, the boat parade has been inextricably linked to Amsterdam and can no longer be ignored from the inner city. 

Pride has evolved into a nine-day festival and has become one of the best and biggest celebrations of its kind, worldwide. The city turns into a rainbow of events with dance parties, film festivals, sporting events, debate and culture, a PrideWalk with a connecting Rainbow Park and in the final weekend the party starts with multiple locations and outside stages.

The annual highlight is of course the world famous and unique Canal Parade consisting of a colorful 80 boats and hundreds of thousands enthusiastic and colorfully dressed visitors. Nowhere in the world is Pride being celebrated on the water on such a scale as in Amsterdam. It is an unique experience that every person needs to add to his, her or its bucket list. 

Where to stay?

If you would like to stay in Amsterdam during the Dance event we recommend to stay at the Westerpark so you are close to all the action. At the Westerpark many events take place and you are also close to the city center. We definitely recommend the eco friendly Conscious hotel at the Westerpark. This hotel is beautiful and the location is great right in the middle of the park.

The building is absolutely gorgeous and it has a delicious restaurant. When we stayed there the room was immaculate and we would definitely come back.

This article was last updated on May 27, 2021.