Gay events in The Netherlands

Kings Day

Until 2013 we celebrated Queens Day on 30 April. From 2014 on we celebrate the king’s birthday on 27 April*. This is a public holiday. Downtown Amsterdam is just one huge open air party. People dancing and drinking in the streets from the night before (so the 26th), all day long. Most people wear orange clothes (or at least something orange). Several large gay parties are organised as well. Check websites like www.gaynews.nl, www.gayamsterdam.com and www.nighttours.com

* When 27 April is on a Sunday, Saturday 26 April will be Kings Day! The next time this happens is 2025. 🙂

Amsterdam Pride

Yearly pride event, first weekend in August with the famous canal parade.
Official Gay Pride website: pride.amsterdam

Leather Pride

Yearly pride event, last weekend of October or first weekend of November.
Official website: www.leatherpride.nl

Tourist information

www.iamsterdam.com
Official Amsterdam tourist office (VVV). The best way to get reliable tourist information is to visit this website or the VVV offices in every main city. Also for hotel bookings. (In Amsterdam you don’t need to go to a gay hotel, because there are gays in every hotel and all hotels are gay friendly)

Pink Point
Pink Point is the official Gay Tourist Information Office. Visit their small shop near the Westerkerk (= western church) and Homomonument on the Westermarkt. Friendly staff to tell you where the hottest parties of the moment are.

www.gaymap.nl
Amsterdam gay map, which you will find for free in every gay shop, bar and also online.