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Practical information during the Canal Parade
A crowd of people on the streets and in a boat with flags and signs - Pride Canal Parade
Image from Jan de Ridder

Practical information during the Canal Parade

Updated 20 June 2024 at 08:11
The Canal Parade (Boat Parade), held on Saturday 5 August 2023, is one of the city's summer highlights. These festivities will be held in the middle of Amsterdam's Canal Ring and will therefore affect your visit to the city centre. Below, you will find everything you need to know to have a safe and enjoyable time.

Time and route

The Boat Parade takes place on Saturday 5 August 2023. At noon, 80 boats will leave the Oosterdok (close to Central Station) to make their way through the city. Via the Nieuwe Herengracht to the Amstel River, under the Skinny Bridge, and continuing via the Prinsengracht, the boats will sail all the way to the Westerdok. In total, a route of more than 5.5 km straight through the city centre.

Respect for everyone

The world-famous Canal Parade on the canals of Amsterdam is one of the most memorable highlights of Pride. Spectators can watch about 80 boats representing everything from small LGBTQI+ foundations to pink organisations. In this way, Amsterdam celebrates the free spirit of the city, in which cisgender people, gay men, lesbian women, transgender people and every other person from the LGBTQI+ community live together. 

Rules during the Canal Parade

The general rules of behaviour in Amsterdam are also in effect during the Boat Parade, and it is advisable to consider your own safety and health. Several additional rules have been established during the Boat Parade to enhance the overall experience of the event and minimize disruption.

  • No amplified sound from the moored boats and along the shore
  • You need a special permit (in Dutch) to dock your boat along the route.
  • On 5 August, there will be a parking ban on the quays along the route from 00:00 to 23:59. Residents with a parking permit will be allowed by the municipality to park their car elsewhere (inside).
  • A section of the quay will be reserved for disabled visitors.

For all rules and info regarding the Canal Parade, visit pride.amsterdam.

Facilities in Amsterdam during Queer & Pride

For more information about the Boat Parade, please refer to the Queer & Pride website.

Transport to and in Amsterdam

Do you want to visit Queer & Pride Amsterdam? Then it's best to come to the city by train. Plan your trip in advance via 9292.nl or ns.nl. All events during Queer & Pride are easily accessible from Amsterdam Central station. From there, you can walk, cycle (public transport bicycle), or take a tram, bus, or metro to one of the events. If you are visiting the Boat Parade, you can also choose to get off at Amsterdam Amstel station. Check the travel advice on the Amsterdam municipality's website. Prefer to travel by car? Then make use of one of the P+R facilities. Please note that there are some traffic measures in the city.