The annual Canal Parade will take place on Saturday 4 August. | Photo: Jeroen Ploeger
This year’s Pride Amsterdam week-long festival will kick off on 28 July, culminating in the annual Canal Parade on 4 August. More than 80 contingents will float down the canal, one of the most suggestive Pride locations in Europe.
A picture of 2017 Canal Parade. | Photo: Courtesy of Pride Amsterdam/Jeroen Ploeger
A pride on water in Amsterdam
The route will go from Oosterdok and along Nieuwe Herengracht, Amstel, and Prinsengracht, before finishing off in Westerdok. People are encouraged to watch the parade from smaller boats on the canal’s banks. The myriads of bridges along the route will also make great observation points.
Watch this 2017 Amsterdam Pride Canal Parade video for a taste of what to expect this year:
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Canal Parade will pay attention to human rights
With the traditional boat parade this year, Pride Amsterdam will pay particular attention to human rights. Amnesty International, Greenpeace and the College of Human Rights will have their own barges, to name but a few. These organizations were proclaimed this year’s Pearls of the Parade.
Locations aside, Pride Amsterdam 2018 will include a festival worth checking out. A cabaret night, a Youth Pride Park and a special photo exhibition celebrating the tenth anniversary of Amsterdam’s most famous fetish club ChUrch are among the most anticipated events. Locals and tourists will also have the chance to join a self-defense class and several talks.
Read the full list of events here.
‘This Is My Pride’ was last year’s theme of Pride Amsterdam. | Photo: Danny de Vries
The city also hosts a Pride on the beach
As if Pride Amsterdam wasn’t already amazing, the city in the Netherlands will also host a Pride on the beach.
Now in its second year, Pride At The Beach will be in Zandvoort on the North Sea from 30 July to 1 August. The LGBTI community and their allies will gather for three days of parties, exhibitions, and talks, finishing off in style with the firework show on 1 August.
Watch this video from last year’s Pride At The Beach and go book your flight.
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Read more about Prides:
Cornwall hosted the first Pride tour in the world and the pictures are dreamy
