In recent years the Antwerp Pride parade on the Saturday of the event started at Waterpoort in the Zuid (South) neighbourhood of Antwerp. Via the Gedempte Zuiderdokken it took LGBTQI’s to the Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Antwerp to the river Scheldt. It ended at the Steen (Stone) castle, where the afterparty was held. 2019 is different.

The organising committee wants to go beyond the historic and touristic heart of the city. Therefore on Saturday 10 August 2019 the parade starts at 2PM at the Sint-Jansplein in Antwerp-North. Don’t worry, it’s not far from the Leien or Boulevards.

It will cross Italiëlei into Paardenmarkt, going right at Hessenbrug, where gay bar Hessenhuis Café is. Straight on, the parade will turn left on the Oude Leeuwenrui into Brouwersvliet. Nearby there’s gay club Cargo Club aka Red & Blue.

Afterwards the parade reaches the Scheldt. It will go south next to the riverbank until Leuvenstraat. There’s the Museum of Contemporary Art (M HK). There you’ll find the afterparty, the Love United Festival.

I walked the route in March for Antwerp Pride Magazine. It took me just over an hour for 5418 steps or 3,7 km.

Do you plan to attend?