Amsterdam Pride 2019
There are a handful of events and festivals that we really look forward to every year because the whole city in party mode and up for having fun. One of those is of course King’s Day. Another is Pride Amsterdam. Both of those celebrations mean the streets of Amsterdam are full of people all having fun. The atmosphere is amazing. Special days full of special memories.
As Pride Amsterdam is about to start again, we thought it would be a good idea to recap what is happening during the festival. One of the brightest, most inclusive and most fun festivals of the year, it will take place between 27th July and 4th August across the city. The programme of activities is huge and we will highlight some of them below. They include the famous canal parade, art exhibitions, walks, street parties with sound systems, talks, film screenings and much, much more.
This year’s theme is ‘Remember the Past. Create the future.’ Special significance is given to the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York City. It is recognised as the beginning of the LGTB movement and led to the first Pride event about a year later. Years of police harassment and violence broke out into a full scale riot and things changed forever. It was the catalyst for LGBT activism and just 7 years later the first events started in The Netherlands led by the International Lesbian Alliance and later by Pink Saturday events. And now all these years later, events happen all over the world.
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Pride Amsterdam takes place over a few days and in many venues. The highlight every year is the world famous Canal Parade. Around 80 decorated boats sail along a route through the city’s canals. It is a great party atmosphere and hundreds of thousands of spectators can enjoy the festival from the banks of the canals.
What happening?
Pride Amsterdam is packed with a huge range of fantastic events to attend. You can see the full list here.
There is something for everyone and in so many great venues. There are performances, dancing, music, art, exhibitions, screenings, concerts, marches and so much more. The full programme has something for everyone and everyone is welcome.
Here we selected 5 from the full list that we want to attend.
1.Stand Up Comedy
It’s good to laugh right ? Comedy is an excellent medium to convey important messages and allow an audience to laugh in unison. After all, you don’t have to be sombre to be serious. This great looking stand up comedy event features these two comedians : Soula Notos, a Dutch/Greek comedian and Purdy Holsom from North Carolina. This is sure to be a fun night of deep belly laughs at the wonderful Mezrab.
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2. Pride at the beach !
Come the summertime, we accept almost every reason to take the train over to Zandvoort. When the sun is out and the temperature is rising, you can close your eyes and imagine you are in the South of France. We have vivid imaginations ! So it is great that Pride on the Beach is back. From 29th to 31st July get yourselves over to Zandvoort to enjoy a feast of activities including : art, music, beach walks, yoga films and a wonderful parade. More details here
3. Bianca del Rio – It’s Jester Joke.
1st (already sold out) and 2nd August at Theater Amsterdam
Hers is probably the most ambitious drag queen comedy tour in the world. Bianca will hold forth on stage and have you in stitches as she gives her views on the state of the world. Think of the acerbic wit of Joan Rivers matched with the incredible stories of a skilled raconteur. She is known as ‘The Queen of Mean’ and no subject is spared her fierce and cutting sense of humour. More details here
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4. The Pride Run
We chose this one to highlight an event where the participants will certainly welcome your support and encouragements. Pride run is a 5k, 10k and half marathon run on the evening of the 2nd August between 7 and 10 PM. It is a fun run for all the participants and a healthy way to begin all the crazy fun of the Pride weekend. More details here
5. Pride Plastic Fishing
It is always with a heavy heart and a sigh when we spot plastic floating in the Amsterdam canals. During Pride Amsterdam and pretty much every festival on or near the canals, plastic does get dropped or blown into the water. We love to see these plastic fishing tours that are popular now. Well Pride Amsterdam is no different and encourages us all to participate in own own little way to the clean up. So on 4th August between 12 and 5.30 PM you are invited to join in and go fishing for plastic. We salute this initiative ! More details here
Canal Parade
Of course, the main event for many people is the Pride Parade. This year it happens on Saturday 3rd August between 12.30 and 5 PM. The flotilla will go from the Osterdok, along the Prinsengracht and finish up at the Westerdok.
It is the most colourful and fun spectacle you will see in Amsterdam. Around 80 perfectly created crafts and their crews are there to impress you, entertain you and also to inform you. There will be music and celebration all afternoon. It is a visual sensation and to see so many people supporting and cheering it is fantastic.
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So get there early and secure a good viewing spot and have a party !
For a list of the participating boats see here.
How to join in ?
Pride Stichting. If you want to get more involved in Pride Amsterdam there is a way to do that and show your support. More details about that are here
Photo credits – all these wonderful images are courtesy of Benjamin Arthur Photography
For a handy list of other festivals in Amsterdam see here.
