Tips for Queer & Pride Amsterdam 2023

Pride Walk

The celebration starts with the Pride Walk: an annual equal rights demonstration for the global rainbow community. The Pride Walk begins with a rally at 11:00, after which the parade through the city will commence from noon on Dam Square.

Pride Walk | De Dam | 30 July

Portraits and stories of the older generation

Thanks to the emancipation of the first generation who openly admitted their sexuality, the current LGBTQI+ community has a freedom that must be actively maintained. Photographer and artist Ernst Coppejans, in collaboration with the Open Mind Foundation, created a multimedia exhibition with personal portraits and stories of that first generation that fought for the world to see them as they are.

Portraits and stories of the older LGBTQI+ generation | Museumplein | 30 July to 7 August

Pride Park

The Vondelpark welcomes all for a day of activities such as the Rainbow Market, spoken word performances, the Youth Pride, a 'Walk with Pride Ball' by the House of Vineyard and more at the Vondelpark Open Air Theater main stage.

Pride Park | Vondelpark | 30 July

The LGBTQI+ Gay History Tour of Amsterdam

Prepare to discover the city anew on this 2-hour tour, during which you will find out how Amsterdam became the first city in the world to have a gay monument and how same-sex marriage came about. By the end, you will walk away with extensive knowledge of the city’s 400 years of LGBTQI+ history.

The LGBTQI+ Gay History Tour of Amsterdam | Homomonument | 3 to 6 August

Pride University

During Pride, A.S.V Gay, Inholland, VU, HvA and UvA will give masterclasses on topics such as the complexities of intersectionality, pink washing, how companies can communicate more inclusively and why Shakespeare's work was always queer.

Pride University | Wibautstraat 129 | 1 to 5 August

LGBTQI+ true storytelling evening

Step into Mezrab, the kingdom of the spoken word, where real stories of people from the LGBTQI+ community will take centre stage. Prepare for true tales about sexuality and life experiences that range from hilarity to tugging at your heartstrings. The speakers come from all over the world, starting with the local LGBTQI+ community, to countries such as Iran, Ireland and Uganda.

LGBTQI+ true storytelling evening | Mezrab | 3 August

Pride at the Beach

Queer & Pride comes to Zandvoort with a colourful 3-day festival celebration filled with diverse activities representing LGBTQI+ people with parties and activities from expos such as The Pink Poetry Trail to lectures, concerts, drag queen shows and much more.

Pride at the Beach | Zandvoort | 31 July to 2 August

Pride and sports

Don’t miss the myriad of events that celebrate being who you are… while sporting! Our highlights include the Sweat for Pride cross-fit class, the Tennis Pride toss, the Pride Run Amsterdam and, of course, the Drag Olympics. This event is bound to win you over with an unparalleled event lineup, including the 100m Stiletto Sprint, the Handbag Toss and much more.

Sports events at Pride | Various locations

Open Air Cinema Mercatorplein

Enjoy two movie showings as part of the pink Movie nights initiative: on Wednesday, 3 August, watch Stanley Kwan’s LAN YU. This queer cinema classic explores an unexpected relationship between a gay student and a playboy businessman in China in the 80s and 90s. On Thursday, attend a screening of 3 Generations. This family drama follows a teen struggling with gender identity as his transitioning sparks discord between himself, his mother and his lesbian grandmother.

Open Air Cinema Mercatorplein | Mercatorplein | 3-4 August

Canal Parade

The Canal Parade is back with a vibrant celebration of LGBTQI+ identities and rights! Boat or canal side, everyone is welcome to show support and watch the 80 concept boats parade down Amsterdam’s canals as they follow the route from Oosterdok to Westerdok.

Canal Parade | August 6