Pride Amsterdam and World Pride 2026

Amsterdam has long been one of Europe’s most vibrant Pride destinations. Every summer the city fills with rainbow flags, cultural events, marches, parties, and the world-famous Canal Parade, where elaborately decorated boats float through the city’s historic waterways in a spectacular show of community pride and solidarity. In 2026 however, Amsterdam will host not just its annual Pride but WorldPride and EuroPride from July 25 through August 8, 2026, turning the city into a global hub for LGBTQIA+ celebration and visibility. Pride Amsterdam+1

WorldPride Amsterdam 2026 will feature more than 500 scheduled events for every interest and community segment, from cultural arts programming and outdoor film screenings to street parties and political marches. Pride Amsterdam Highlights will include the Pride March and Pride Park kick-off on July 25, vibrant street parties across the city on July 31 and August 1, the iconic Canal Parade on August 1 sailing from Oosterdok through Nieuwe Herengracht, Amstel, and Prinsengracht, and the WorldPride Village at Museumplein from August 4-8. Pride Amsterdam+2Pride Amsterdam+2

Beyond the festivities, the schedule includes a WorldPride Conference at the Beurs van Berlage (August 5-7), the Wedding Party XXL celebration of love on August 6, and the WorldPride March and Closing Concert on August 8. Pride Amsterdam Venues throughout Amsterdam will play host to community-focused Pride programmes including Youth Pride, Senior Pride, Trans Pride, Women & Pride, Sport Pride, and more, making this an inclusive, international experience. Pride Amsterdam

This massive event isn’t just about parties and parades though; it’s also about deepening connections between LGBTQIA+ communities around the world and shining a spotlight on both progress and the work still to be done in advancing rights globally.

World Pride History and Context

WorldPride is a rotating global event sanctioned by InterPride, designed to promote LGBTQIA+ visibility, awareness, advocacy, and solidarity on an international scale. Wikipedia The first WorldPride took place in Rome in 2000, establishing a tradition of global Pride celebrations outside of local and national events. Since then, WorldPride has been held in cities across the world including Jerusalem, London, Toronto, New York, Copenhagen, and Sydney, each bringing its own cultural and political context to the broader movement. Wikipedia

Unlike annual city or regional Prides, WorldPride is awarded to a host city typically once every few years. It combines massive celebratory elements with platforms for human rights discussions, community conferences, and international activism. Hosting WorldPride is seen as both a recognition of a city’s progressive spirit and a chance to showcase local LGBTQIA+ history and ongoing struggles. Wikipedia

WorldPride events often coincide with milestones. In Amsterdam’s case, 2026 will mark the 25th anniversary of same-sex marriage being legal in the Netherlands, the 30th anniversary of Pride Amsterdam, and other significant queer historical markers, giving added resonance to the UNITY theme. Pride Amsterdam

WorldPride continues to evolve, amplifying diverse voices and highlighting how Pride celebrations can intersect with global discussions on equality, rights, and cultural exchange. Wikipedia