Annual events
Below you will find a chronological overview of prides, street parties, festivals and other annual LGBT events in Amsterdam.
Spring:
- Roze Filmdagen
- KING'S DAY
- Liberation Day
- Amsterdam Sportswear Weekend
Autumn:
- StreetHeart festival
- Amsterdam Dance Event
- Leather & Fetish Pride
- Roze Filmdagen
- KING'S DAY
- Liberation Day
- Amsterdam Sportswear Weekend
Autumn:
- StreetHeart festival
- Amsterdam Dance Event
- Leather & Fetish Pride
For party nights which are organized on a regular basis, see dance parties
For LGBT events elsewhere in the Netherlands, see Homohoreca.nl (in Dutch)
S P R I N G
Roze Filmdagen
End of March
@ Het Ketelhuis
Since 1996
The Pink Film Days (Dutch: Roze Filmdagen) are one of the biggest LGBTQ film festivals in the world. With over 100 films, short films and documentaries from about 40 countries and in all genres.
Number of visitors: ca. 10.000
Opening of the Roze Filmdagen 2023
Video: MVS Gaystation
King's Day
April 26 and 27
@ various streets
Since 1948/2014
On April 27, the king's birthday is celebrated with flea markets and street parties all around the city center, and almost everyone will be dressed in orange. On the night before, King's Night, there are already somewhat smaller street parties for locals.
Queen's Day street party outside the gay venues alongside Amstel (2012)
Own photo - click to enlarge
Liberation Day has been celebrated at the Homomonument at Westermarkt since 1992 with an alternative and queer open-air party with varied and playful performances.
Number of visitors: ca. 1700
Party at the Homomonument
Photo: VrijeTijdAmsterdam
Amsterdam Sportswear Weekend
Last weekend of May
@ various locations
Since 2018
During the Amsterdam Sportswear Weekend (ASW) there are activities at various locations which all center around the sportswear fetish. There's also the annual election of Mr Sportswear NL.
Participants of the Amsterdam Sportswear Weekend (2022)
Photo: Facebook/ASW
Photo: Facebook/ASW
S U M M E R
Amsterdam Bear Pride
First week of June
@ various locations
Since 2014/2023
Formerly known as the Amsterdam Bear Weekend, it is now four days of diverse activities for all bears and their admirers, culminating in the election of Mister Bear Netherlands in Akhnaton.
Participants of the Mister Bear election (2023)
Photo via Instagram/Bear Pride
Tropikali Festival
A LGBTQI+ festival in the industrial gardens of NDSM Wharf
Mid-June
@ NDSM Werf
Since 2018
Tropikali combines the Rosario, Kalinichta and I Will Survive parties. They turn the industrial NDSM wharf into a tropical paradise, with a musical journey from Berlin to Rio, with a layover in Beirut.
Number of visitors: ca. 5.000 a day
Impression of the Tropikali Festival (2022)
Photo: Instagram/Tropikali - click to enlarge
Black Pride Weekend
End of June
@ various locations
Since 2020
A weekend with various activities for and by members of the black LGBTIQ+ communities, culminating in the Pon Di Pride party.
Number of visitors: ca. 1700
Demonstration at Museumplein, organized by Black Pride NL (2020)
Photo: @ludlboterman - click to enlarge
Kwaku Roze Zondag
Third Sunday of July
@ Nelson Mandelapark
Since 2008
Kwaku is the biggest multicultural festival of Amsterdam, with Pink Sunday being especially dedicated to gay people. With some 20.000 visitors, this is the biggest black LGBT event of Europe and also the unofficial kick-off of Pride Amsterdam.
Pink Sunday during Kwaku Summer festival
Photo: Zuidoost.nl
Queer Amsterdam
July
@ various locations
Since 2023
A non-commercial alternative to Pride Amsterdam, with various activities for and by the queer community at numerous locations throughout the city.
Demonstration as part of Queer Amsterdam (2023)
Photo: Queer Amsterdam
Milkshake Festival
For boys who love girls who love girls who love boys who love boys
Last weekend of July
@ Westerpark
Since 2012
Milkshake is a festival where thick, thin, small, large, gay, straight, trans, black and white celebrate diversity. There are stages for various music genres as well as extravagant live performances.
Number of visitors: ca. 18.000 a day
Impression of the Milkshake Festival (2019)
Photo: Rik Verkaik/VTA - click to enlarge
Pride Amsterdam
First weekend of August
@ various locations
Since 1996
Pride Amsterdam encompasses a wide variety of events and activities for LGBT people. There are street parties and the famous Canal Parade as highlight on Saturday. On Sunday, there's a big closing party on Dam square.
Number of visitors of the Canal Parade: ca. 250.000
Number of visitors of the street parties: ca. 28.500
Pride celebration outside the gay venues at Zeedijk (2015)
Own photo - click to enlarge
Pride Oost
Early August
@ Javaplein
Since 2013
A street party, organized by Alle Kleuren Oost, with music, performances and stalls selling food, merchandise and information to celebrate the diversity of Amsterdam East.
Number of visitors: ca. 250
Street party at Javaplein to celebrate Pride Oost
Photo via Stadsdorp KNSM - click to enlarge
Instead of the former three Hartjesdagen, there is now only the traditional parade on Mondays in which men dress as women and women as men.
Number of visitors: ca. 1500
Participants of the Hartjes parade in 2007
Click to enlarge
Superflirt Festival
Last Sunday of August
@ Kaap Oost
Since 2023
A brand new queer and open-minded festival, presented by MEIJT. and Multifest, with 7 stages hosted by Can You Feel iT, Sweetie Darling, Damage, Superball, RUBBER, the Drag Olympics, Lesbique and BOPS!
Number of visitors: max. 5.000
Overview of the Superflirt Festival
Image: Superflirt - click to enlarge
A U T U M N
A fun and inclusive LGBTQ event organized by Club Church. Visitors can dance, participate in a fashion show and vote for their favorite Genderfluid Streetheart.
Number of visitors: ca. 500
The StreetHeart Festival in Kerkstraat (2017)
Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE)
Third week of October
@ many locations
Since 1995
The ADE is the biggest festival for electronic Dance music in the world with over 1000 performances by Dutch and international DJ, including at various gay venues around the city.
Total number of visitors: ca. 450.000
ADE info stand at Rembrandtplein (2016)
A long weekend full of events in and around the leather and cruise bars, including the election of Mr. Leather Netherlands. The highlight is the Invasion party at IJland (formerly known as Undercurrent).
Number of visitors: ca. 900
Participants of the Leather Pride in 2018
Photo via Facebook - click to enlarge
W I N T E R
WinterPride
November/December
@ city
Since 2024
The first edition of WinterPride Amsterdam will take place from November 23 to December 8, 2024, with substantive, sporting and cultural activities from the LGBTQI+ communities throughout the city.
WinterPride Amsterdam
Pink Xmas
Mid-December
@ Keizersgrachtkerk
Since 2010
The only remaining event of the former Pink Christmas is a special LGBT Christmas celebration where everyone is welcome!
Number of visitors: ca. 125
Pink Christmas celebration (2015)
Photo: Daan Stringer
True Colors
Mid-January
@ Melkweg
Since 2013
As successor of it's New Year's reception, LGBTI rights organisation COC organizes a big party, during which LGBTI volunteers are honoured and the Bob Angelo Prize is awarded.
Number of visitors: ca. 1500
True Colors in Paradiso (2013)
Links
Useful links about gay nightlife in:
- Amsterdam
- The Netherlands
- The rest of the world
+ Various LGBT links
Gay nightlife in Amsterdam
Streets:
- Reguliersdwarsstraat
- Warmoesstraat
Guides:
- Gay Amsterdam
- Nighttours: Amsterdam
- Iamsterdam: LGBTQI+ bars and cafes
- Patroc: Amsterdam
- Queer Europe: Amsterdam
- Gay Cities: Amsterdam
- Pinksider: Amsterdam
- The Gay Passport: Amsterdam
- Queer In The World: Amsterdam
- Gay Out: Amsterdam
- Travel Gay: Amsterdam
- GayTravelr: Amsterdam
Calendars:
- Gay Amsterdam: Agenda
- Tom of Amsterdam
- Gay Parties Amsterdam
- GoGiGi
Prides:
- Pride Amsterdam
- Queer Amsterdam
- Leather & Fetish Pride
- Black Pride
Tickets:
- Gaygo Tickets
Tours:
- LGBT Gay Tours Amsterdam
Photos:
- LGBT nightlife in Amsterdam
- Gay Businesses 1983-2010
Memorabilia:
- Amsterdam Gay & Lesbian Nightlife
History:
- Graveyard of LGBTQI pubs & clubs
Gay nightlife in The Netherlands
Guides:
- Nighttours: Netherlands
- Queer In The World: Netherlands
- GayTravelr: Netherlands
- Saunas4men: Netherlands
Calendars:
- Nighttours: Netherlands
Photos:
- Wikimedia: LGBT Nightlife
Memorabilia:
- Dutch Gay & Lesbian Nightlife
- LGBTQI+ Buttons
History:
- LGBT history in the Netherlands
Gay café Kalff in Utrecht during a memorial
for gay disco De Roze Wolk (1982-2006)
(click to enlarge)
for gay disco De Roze Wolk (1982-2006)
(click to enlarge)
Gay nightlife in the rest
of the world
of the world
Cities:
- Queer Berlin
Streets & Villages:
- Canal Street, Manchester
- Le Marais, Paris
- Hell's Kitchen, New York City
- Church-Wellesley, Toronto
- Village, Montréal
Guides:
- GayBars.eu
- Gay Travel Guide Europe
- Queer Europe
- Spartacus Intern. Gay Guide
- Gay Cities
- Pinksider
- The Gay Passport
- Queer In The World
- Gay Out
- GayTravel
- Travel Gay
- GayTravelr
- Saunas4men
- Gay in Thailand Tip!
Calendars:
- Gay Events Belgium
- IGLTA: Pride Calendar
- Gay Pride Calendar
- GayPrides.com
- GoGiGi
Photos:
- Wikimedia: Gay bars
Buttons:
- LGBTQI+ Buttons
T-Shirts:
- Wearing Gay History
- Throwback Gay Bar T-Shirts
History:
- Wikipedia: Gay bar
- Brussels Almanack Dykes
- Molly Houses in London
- Lost LGBT Scene Project
- England: Pride of Place
- OUTgoing New York City
- San Francisco Gay History
- The Lesbian Bar Project
- GayBarchives
Various LGBT links
LGBT news:
- Gay News
- Queer.de · Schwulissimo
- PinkNews · Advocate
Podcast:
- Making Gay History
Museums:
- Schwules Museum, Berlin
- Queer Britain, London
- American LGBTQ+ Museum, NYC
- GLBT Historical Society, SF
Archives:
- IHLIA LGBT Heritage
- Fonds Suzan Daniel
- Centrum Schwule Geschichte
- ONE Gay & Lesbian Archives
Linkpartners:
- Amsterdam Masseur Homo/Hetero?