(Hey Captain! This post is also available in: Dutch.)

The canal parade is one of the biggest and free open air events from the Netherlands, Its one big floating carnival with colourful people dancing on boats, floats and the key sides. Its big like Kings Day only now it will be all the colours of the rainbow instead orange. Because Amsterdam is also hosting EuroPride in 2016 it will be a very special one this year.

The canal parade is a party for everybody; no matter who you are who you love or where you are from 80 LGBTI-organisations show of in a festive manner for what they stand and fight for every first Saturday of August.

You can follow the parade from the key side but even better from your own (Rented maybe?) boat.

The route

The floats will start their route in the Westerdok and will sail eastwards via the Prinsengracht, Amstel,  After the famous (Magere brug ) to starboard into Nieuwe Herengracht towards the Oosterdok and Scheepvaart museum where the famous 3 masted tallship Clipper Stad Amsterdam will salute all the floats.(After the parade is a chance to sail past the Clipper Stad Amsterdam and see it up close) The first float leaves at the Prinsengracht at 14.00h and the the last float will close the parade at the end around 18.00h. Make sure you arrive on time to reserve a spot from your self or in a boat

Want to see the complete list of participants of the parade 2016? click here

Even the National bank and the Dutch police host a boat

Ahoy tip: Set sail to Amstelveld after the parade for a big after party: OUR LOVE The cosy square Amstelveld will be a big dance floor for two days Friday Hebibo and Saturday Our love as they say for  Hetro , Bi and gay!

Take care of your garbage don’t let it blow into the canals, we love to keep them clean!

The day after: Just like any of those good parties at home: make a mess, but on the day after, you might feel like helping out with the cleaning.

THis year, you can join Plastic whale with cleaning the canals the day after more info here (sorry no english) Hopefully soon. A pretty cool organisation that takes plastic out of the canals and turns it in to skateboards and boats.