Canal Parade on August 1, 2026 in Amsterdam

Pride Amsterdam

Pride Amsterdam is a multi-day event with a gay cultural character. It has been held annually in Amsterdam's city center around the first weekend of August since 1996. The highlight is the Canal Parade, a colorful procession of boats that sails through the canals on the first Saturday of August. Originally, the route went from the Westerdok via the Prinsengracht, Amstel, Zwanenburgwal, and Oudeschans to the Oosterdok. Since 2017, the boats have sailed in the opposite direction, namely from the Oosterdok, via the Nieuwe Herengracht, the Amstel, and the Prinsengracht to the Westerdok. Expectations for the 2026 Canal Parade: 1 million visitors, 80 boats, a total of 6 km via the canals, and extra security (following the previous attack in Berlin). A colorful spectacle for anyone who loves the crowds and taking photos and videos for their own social media!

Every year, hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to this event, making it one of the most visited public events in the Netherlands. The Canal Parade is also broadcast live on television. In the United States, Amsterdam Gay Pride was named the best Gay Pride celebration in Europe in 2008, and in 2018, Amsterdam Pride was voted the Best Public Event in the Netherlands. Since 2019, Pride Amsterdam has been included in the Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Netherlands.

The official name of the event was initially Amsterdam Pride, subsequently Amsterdam Gay Pride from 2007 to 2016, and Pride Amsterdam since 2017. In 2016, it coincided with EuroPride, and this will be the case again in 2026. Furthermore, the event will serve as WorldPride in 2026.

On November 4, 2022, it was announced that WorldPride will be organized in Amsterdam in 2026. WorldPride was first celebrated in Rome in 2000 and has taken place every two to three years since 2012. Even more so than regular Pride parties, WorldPride guarantees many visitors from all over the world. It is often the largest LGBTQ+ event of the year. The WorldPride in Amsterdam is also the EuroPride of 2026, marking the third time that EuroPride is held in the capital.

According to the new Pride policy, Amsterdam Pride once again lasted for a month in 2026. The final week of this Amsterdam Pride overlapped with the first week of the WorldPride activities, which ran from July 25 to August 8, 2026. Amsterdam Pride opened on July 8, 2026, coinciding with the exhibition “Queer Amsterdam, the Pink City” in the Nieuwe Kerk and the Walk of Pride, which ran from Dam Square to the Homomonument. During Amsterdam Pride, a series of diverse activities took place throughout the city, including the Pride Art Route and the Shakespeare Club, with which COC Netherlands celebrated its 80th anniversary.

On July 25, 2026, the Pride Walk took place, running from Dam Square to Vondelpark, where Queen Máxima performed the official opening of WorldPride 2026, in the presence of Amsterdam Mayor Halsema and Pride Director Lucien Spee.

Village People

Village People is an American disco group that was particularly successful in the late 20s. The group is named after Greenwich Village, a major gay entertainment district in New York where the group members often frequented. Their biggest hits are still frequently heard as party music. Photo below from Wikipedia: The Village People receive their Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In its original lineup, the group consisted of David Hodo, Alex Briley, Felipe Rose, Victor Willis, Glenn Hughes, and Randy Jones. The group, Village People, was known for its catchy poppy melodies and suggestive lyrics, but above all for the visual spectacle of the group members, who were dressed as a construction worker, soldier (a sailor in *In the Navy*), Native American, policeman, biker, and cowboy, respectively. As a result, the group gained a certain place in the gay subculture by way of camp. Major hits include *YMCA*, *In the Navy*, and *Go West*. During the Canal Parade and World Pride, the music of Village People will often be played.

Victor Willis (1951 – 2026) was an American singer, songwriter, and actor. He was the original lead singer of the disco group Village People; his characters were the police officer and the naval officer. In 2026, he performed at the inauguration of President Trump. Willis died on June 30, 2026, at the age of 74 after a short illness.

<strong> More info: </strong>

Everything about WorldPride from July 25 to August 8, 2026: https://pride.amsterdam/worldpride/

Everything about Canal Parade on August 1, 2026 (12:00 – 18:00): https://pride.amsterdam/event/canal-parade/

Everything about exhibitions during WorldPride Amsterdam: https://prideartroute.nl/

More than 60 exhibitions on display, including the City Archives, Huis Marseille, OBA Oosterdok, Grachtenmuseum, De Nieuwe Kerk, Melkweg expo, between Dam and Homomonument, Luther Museum, etc.