One of the best ways to experience Amsterdam in all of its giddy glory is to be in town on Queen's Day, April 30th, the annual nationwide street party, celebrating the queen's birthday. Everyone and everybody in Amsterdam finds themselves on the streets all day long for boisterous and good-natured celebrating, with gay and lesbian bashes all over town. A month before Queen's Day, towards the end of March, Amsterdam hosts the Fetish Fantasy Weekend. Several leather parties will take place throughout town.
The first weekend in August brings Amsterdam Gay Pride with numerous festivities, ceremonies, cultural activities and, best of all, a canal parade comprised of boat after boat of outrageous floats. The entire city turns gay for the weekend! Then, by the end of October it's time for Amsterdam Leather Pride, one of Europe's biggest events for those into the leather hard scene.

Contact the National Gay and Lesbian organization COC, the Gay Business Association Amsterdam, or the Gay & Lesbian Switchboard for details on dates, fund-raising events, and promotions.

The National Gay & Lesbian Organization COC
Rozenstraat 8-14, Amsterdam
Tel.: +31 20-626 3087

Gay Business Association Amsterdam
Tel.: +31 20-620 8807

The Gay & Lesbian Switchboard
Tel.: +31 20-623 6565

Outdoor and athletic

Besides the miles of walking and biking you will no doubt encounter during your holiday here, Amsterdam's Vondelpark offers acres of open space to jog, skate, bike or simply roam through on sunny mornings or afternoons. There is a great outdoor café called Vertigo in the park.

Tijgertje is an official gay and lesbian sports organization that can fill you in on any events you might want to sign up for, including badminton, volleyball, karate, yoga, wrestling and more (P.O. Box 10521, 1001 EM Amsterdam, Tel.: +31 20-673 2458).

If you are missing the gym and you're male, head for Mandate Gay Gym (Prinsengracht 715, Amsterdam, Tel.: +31 20-625 4100). They have all the usual equipment here, including a sauna and a solarium, and even a bar and a brunch on Sundays. The women's health club is called The Garden Gym and is located on Jodenbreestraat 158, Amsterdam, Tel.: +31 20-626 8772.

Named after David Hockney's painting, A Bigger Splash , this gym might make you feel like you've been transported back to the U.S. It's got that unmistakable, universal leery 'gay gym' vibe. (Looiersgracht 26, Amsterdam, Tel.: +31 20-624 8404).

The Thermos Day Sauna is an all male-facility with a friendly atmosphere, beautiful 'Old World feel' (lots of tiles) and Spartan cleanliness. In addition to a swimming pool, gym, cubicles and a cinema, there is a bar, a café, and even an attached hair salon. (Raamstraat 33, Amsterdam, Tel.: +31 20 623 9158).