Bright Vibes ahead: WorldPride 2026 is coming to Amsterdam

WorldPride was created by InterPride to unite the global LGBTQIA+ community in a shared celebration of visibility, equality and love. The first edition took place in Rome in 2000, setting the stage for a travelling festival that blends activism, culture and celebration. Hosted every few years in a different city — from Toronto to Madrid, New York, and Sydney — WorldPride amplifies local voices while championing global human rights.

In 2026, Amsterdam will host WorldPride for the first time ever, a fitting homecoming for a city that has long been a symbol of freedom and equality. The festival will also mark 25 years since the Netherlands became the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage, making it one of the most significant WorldPrides yet.

WorldPride 2026 kicks off with the Pride March, a protest from Amstelveld to Vondelpark. It’s a moving statement of visibility, equality and community. Expect banners, music and laughter filling the streets as thousands march side by side in celebration of love and identity.

As the march ends, Vondelpark transforms into Pride Park — a lush, open-air celebration of freedom and creativity. Here you’ll find live performances in an open air theater, art installations, food stalls and space to simply sit, connect and soak in the energy.

Across two weeks, Amsterdam’s museums, theatres and public spaces will host the Arts & Culture programme — a citywide showcase of queer creativity. From  photography and film to spoken word and design. The full programme will be announced.

Cinematic pieces take over pride for three nights long. Open Air Cinema’s will be spread across Amsterdam. There will be 400 chairs and access will be free. The Open Air Film Festival invites you to bring a blanket, settle in under the stars and enjoy. The films and locations will be announced later, so keep an eye out on the website of WorldPride.

Over a dozen locations across the city come alive for Amsterdam’s legendary Street Parties. Think DJs and lots of dancing. Each neighbourhood has its own flavour, but all share the same heartbeat of being yourself.

The Canal Parade is Amsterdam’s most iconic Pride moment. Decorated boats glide through the city’s waterways — from the Nieuwe Herengracht, along the Amstel, to the Prinsengracht — creating a floating rainbow of music, movement and meaning.

As WorldPride reaches its midpoint, the Halfway There Party lights up Dam Square with DJs, performances and open-air celebration. It’s a moment to pause, dance and look back at an already unforgettable first week — while gearing up for the grand finale to come.

From 4 August, Museumplein becomes the beating heart of the festival: the WorldPride Village. Expect food stalls, markets, live music and cultural showcases from around the world.  It’s a place to meet, mingle and experience global Pride in one colourful square.

The Opening Concert on Museumplein sets the tone for the final days of celebration. With international artists and inspiring speeches, it’s a powerful welcome to the global LGBTQIA+ community arriving in Amsterdam.

Hosted at the Beurs van Berlage, the WorldPride Conference brings together activists, academics, and cultural leaders to discuss the future of equality. Expect thought-provoking talks, creative panels, and space for collaboration and new ideas — because Pride is about progress.

In honour of 25 years of marriage equality in the Netherlands, the Wedding Party XXL celebrates love in every form imaginable. Set on Museumplein, it’s a joyful tribute to commitment and connection — expect live music, vow renewals, and a lot of confetti.

The celebrations close with one final burst of energy: the WorldPride March and Closing Concert at Museumplein. It’s a moment of unity and gratitude, where music and the glow of thousands of rainbow flags mark the end of two extraordinary weeks — and the beginning of whatever comes next.