In a few weeks, the 23rd gay pride will be held in Amsterdam, starting on the 27th of July and ending on the 4th of August. PartnerPete tells you all you need to know about this festival that celebrates diversity and acceptance. In 1996, the first Pride was held. Back then it was still a small one-day event under the name Amsterdam Pride. Between 2007 and 2017 the event got even more famous under the name Amsterdam Gay Pride. Nowadays the festival that is being held annually on the first weekend of August is called Pride Amsterdam.
1. ‘Remember the past, create the future’ as this year’s theme
‘Remember the past, create the future’ is the theme of this year’s Pride. The director Amsterdam Pride, Lucien Spee, says; “This year we are commemorating the Stonewall riots that broke out in New York 50 years ago and that form a dividing line in the history of the LGBT movement.” In 1970, one year after the Stonewall riots, the world’s first Pride Parade was held in New York. The Stonewall riots took place at the end of June 1969 in New York’s Greenwich Village neighborhood when the Metropolitan Police evacuated the gay bar The Stonewall Inn. After years of police harassment and violence, the visiting public of gay men, lesbians, but especially transvestites, decided to fight back. This revolt is a dividing line in the history of the LGBT movement. Worldwide, these riots have become an example for LGBT demonstrations.
2. The famous Canal Parade takes place on the 3rd of August
The Canal Parade is the biggest and most famous event during Pride Amsterdam and will take place on August 3rd. The Canal Pride will start and enter the canals of Amsterdam just before the Kortjewnatsbrug at 12:30 pm. The boats will cruise across the Nieuwe Herengracht, a part of the Amstel, the Prinsengracht and will finish at the Westerdok at 5 pm. Not only the people on the boat will wear all different outfits with glitter, feathers, wigs, and many more attributes to show off their differences and personal Pride. Also, the people on the shore will come in the most incredible outfits to watch the Canal Parade and show who they are. Often, these people are one of the reasons why people love to come and watch the Canal Parade during Pride Amsterdam.
Do you want to check out the Canal Parade? Beware to come on time or even much earlier to be able to conquer an excellent spot. You will not be the only one, and it can get swamped in Amsterdam during the Parade. More and more people who come to the Canal Parade are coming by boat. That’s why this year the organization of the Pride is regulating the number of boats allowed on the route of the Canal Parade. You’ll need a Pride Vignette to get access to the pride route.
3. Other Events And Parties
Pride Amsterdam is much more than only the Canal Parade. In the whole of Amsterdam, many different people and organizations are hosting street parties, sporting events, indoor parties, and conferences in the theme of the Gay Pride. The variety of the events is massive; art and culture sessions, talks about religion, film, and theater events – all in celebration of the LGBTQ community. Want to check them out? Check all the events registered on the official Gay Pride webpage.
4. Where To Find A Place To “Sleep”
If you are not partying all night long, you will need a place to stay. And you will not be the only one. Remember to book your place to stay in advance. If (or when) you have trouble finding a place in Amsterdam, you can also check out cities like Haarlem and Utrecht for a place to stay. Make sure you check out our blog “How to get around in Holland” so that you know how to get back and forth between cities. We hope you enjoy Pride Amsterdam. It’s definitely one of the must-see events in the Netherlands.
We hope you enjoy Pride Amsterdam. It’s definitely one of the must-see events in the Netherlands.
Now you know the 4 need to knows about Pride Amsterdam 2019! For other typically Dutch street parties, we also made Celebrating King’s Day in The Netherlands, check it out!