Pride Amsterdam 2025 adopts “love” as its central theme
Pride Amsterdam has announced "Love" as the theme for its 2025 celebration, scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 3. According to organizers, the theme extends beyond romance, representing connection, understanding, and solidarity. The annual Canal Parade, now in its 28th year, will take place on Saturday, August 2. Prospective participants can submit applications from January 3 through February 2, 2025. Selected participants will be announced on February 8.
"Love inspires, binds, supports, and conquers," the organization said Monday. "It symbolizes the attraction between individuals, the support people offer one another, and the unwavering fight for equal rights that we collectively pursue."
The 2025 Pride festivities will coincide with Amsterdam's celebration of its 750th anniversary. This historic milestone will feature citywide events, including a car-free celebration on the A10 highway on June 21 and the large-scale maritime festival SAIL from August 20 to 24, expected to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors.
In keeping with tradition, the Pride parade will feature a mix of organizations and community groups, with an emphasis on accessibility for LGBTQIA+ organizations. Community groups pay a reduced registration fee, which has remained unchanged since 2014. Commercial participants help subsidize this effort, contributing 75,000 euros to a visibility fund. Eligible community groups can apply for grants of up to 5,000 euros to help with boat decorations.
“Love is not a weakness; it is a force. It is about listening without judgment and building a society where diversity is not merely tolerated but celebrated,” said Lucien Spee de Castillo Ruiz, executive director of Pride Amsterdam. “Love is a choice, and Pride 2025 invites us to make that choice every day.”
The full program for the event will be revealed in the spring. Additional events will include debates, art exhibitions, theater performances, film screenings, parties, and sports activities.
