The 17th edition of Antwerp Pride takes place from Wednesday 7 to Sunday 11 August 2024. This year’s theme is ‘Many Voices. One Pride‘. The organising committee advocates a more militant pride, with a “we’re not going back in the closet” attitude in reaction to rising conservatism and conformism. But let’s face it: pride is also celebration. In the run up to August, let’s look at activities and events. Also don’t forget Antwerp Queer Arts Festival from 3 to 31 August.

Antwerp‘s Museum of Contemporary Art, M HKA or Museum voor Hedendaagse Kunst Antwerpen, organises an Antwerp Pride Weekend, from Thursday 8 to Sunday 11 August. 

“Did you know that clownfish are born as males, and only change gender if the alpha female of the group dies? Or that some female albatrosses form a couple when there are fewer males? As infinitely diverse as nature is, our gender identities can be just as diverse. During Antwerp Pride Weekend, we celebrate both gender and biodiversity at the M HKA with a few mini-workshops”, the museum says 

Thursday 8 August 2024

Hantrax INBOX preview, 7 to 9 PM. Inbox, 5th floor and M HKAFE, 4th floor. Opening presentation ‘A doll made by talking‘ with playlist by Hantrax.

Saturday 10 August 2024

Get a silkscreen tattoo in the style of Ad Minoliti, 1 to 5 PM, Salon, 1st floor. “Biology is non-binary! What happens when we cross the fight for animal rights and LGBTQIA+ rights? This question led artist Ad Minoliti to come up with all kinds of political slogans. You can choose a (temporary) tattoo from her slogans and designs. In this way, we throw our bodies into the fight for the rights of the queer community and of the animals.”

Workshop: A doll made by talking, by Hantrax. 2 to 5 PM, M HKAFE, 4th floor. “Hantrax is an Antwerp composer, musician and performer. His Hantrax Dolls symbolize free expression, fantasy, non-normativity and joy. Following his INBOX presentation A doll made by talking, he invites artists, friends and visitors to make a doll with him. Specific sewing skills are not required, intuition is the key. Are taking part in the workshop: among others Clara Lissens, Messieurs Delmotte, Sietske Van Aerde, Floris Van Look, Nienke Baeckelandt, Filip Collin, Yves de Brabander, Kris Van Dessel, Ellen Pil, Dennis Tyfus, Shayli Harrison, Orphan Fairytale, Samyra Moumouh, … “

Cuddle room and photo booth. 11 AM to 6 PM. Auditorium, 3rd floor (cuddle room & Salon, 1st floor (photo booth). “Relax among the crickets and frogs in our snoezelruimte, or dress up as a genderfluid dog or a lesbian seagull in our photobooth. Experimenting is allowed, right?”

Sunday 11 August 2024

Workshop: creating an avatar. Continuous and with guidance. 2 to 4 PM. Salon, 1st floor. “Do you want to become an eagle, an androgynous version of yourself or a super strong superhero? In this workshop for young and old you will transform yourself into the alter ego of your own creation. You will make a large drawing of your own body and get to work with colored paper, chalk, paint, collage and colored pencils.”

Cuddle room and photo booth. 11 AM to 6 PM. Auditorium, 3rd floor (cuddle room & Salon, 1st floor (photo booth).

Antwerp Pride 2024 & Antwerp Queer Arts Festival 2024

• Antwerp Pride 2024 programme highlights.
• ANTWERP PRIDE 2024 | Parade route & map for Saturday 10 August.
• ANTWERP PRIDE 2024 | Opening Night, Wednesday 7 August, Openluchttheater OLT Rivierenhof, Deurne.
• ANTWERP PRIDE 2024 | MAS Darling queer programme at Museum Aan de Stroom.
• ANTWERP PRIDE 2024 | Pride in Town, Friday 9 August, Sint-Andriesplaats.
• ANTWERP PRIDE 2024 | post-parade Love United Festival, Saturday 10 August, Cockerillkaai.
• ANTWERP PRIDE 2024 | Closing Festival, Sunday 11 August, Cockerillkaai.
• Antwerp Pride 2024 partner events: Friends of Dorothy, Queer Tour at KMSKA, Midsummer 2024, Celebrate Life at Jeffrey’s / Loud & Queer, Send In The Clowns, Oh Honey.
• Antwerp landmarks illuminated in rainbow colours for Antwerp Pride 2024.
• Antwerp Queer Arts Festival from 3 to 31 August 2024: programme.
• Antwerp Pride 2024 theme: ‘Many Voices. One Pride’.
• Antwerp Pride 2024 to be more militant against growing opposition to LGBTQIA+: “We’re not going back in the closet”.

Darklands 2024-2025

• Darklands 2025 from Tuesday 25 February until Monday 3 March.
• Darklands 2025 theme: ‘Darklands Glows’, stays at Waagnatie until 2030.
• Darklands 2024 from 27 February to 4 March.
• ANTWERP | Darklands 2024 going into ‘The Void’ under new, stricter city rules.
• DARKLANDS 2024 | Programme & schedule.

The latest on prides in Belgium

• CHARLEROI PRIDE | Three days of inclusivity and festivities.
• Antwerp Pride 2024 programme highlights.
• Antwerp Queer Arts Festival from 3 to 31 August 2024: programme.
• Liège Pride 2024 programme and introduction.
• Darklands 2025 from Tuesday 25 February until Monday 3 March.
• Limburg Pride 2025 to be hosted by Hasselt on Sunday 13 July.
• Brussels Pride 2024 programme starts on Wednesday 8 May with Pride Opening at Molenbeek and a Pride Week.
• Darklands 2025 theme: ‘Darklands Glows’, stays at Waagnatie until 2030.
• Queer March Ghent 2024 on Saturday 30 March at Viernulvier.
• PROGRAMME | Queer Arts Festival Leuven 2023 from 3 to 25 November.

Art and museums in Antwerp

• ANTWERP | ‘To the Antarctic. The polar pioneers of the Belgica’ exhibition at Museum Aan de Stroom (MAS).
• RED STAR LINE MUSEUM | ‘A wanted refugee: Einstein and Red Star Line’ exhibition until Sunday 8 September 2024.
• Antwerp will have a new Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp M HKA.
• ANTWERP | Innovations in the Middelheim Museum provide a completely new visitor experience.
• ANTWERP | New Rubens House building and garden to open on 30 August 2024.
• FOMU 2024 | Antwerp photography museum ft. Dirk Braeckman, ‘RE/SISTERS’ and Nick Geboers.
• A visit of the Flemish Tram and Bus Museum – Vlaams Tram- en Autobusmuseum (VlaTAM) in Antwerp.
• ANTWERP | Discovering queer(ed) art with the Queer Tour at the KMSKA fine arts museum.
• REVIEW | Illusion Antwerpen, an active and photogenic museum.
• Antwerp museums and sports facilities team up with European Disability Card for accessible leisure activities.
• ‘Jef Verheyen, Window On Infinity’ exhibition at KMSKA, the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp, until 18 August 2024.
• Museum Mayer van den Bergh.
• 2024 at Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Antwerp (KMSKA): Rubens, James Ensor, Jules Schmalzigaug and many more.
• 2024 at the museums of Antwerp ft. Ensor Year.
• ANTWERP | Inside Rubens House.
• Museum Plantin-Moretus in Antwerp.
• ANTWERP | Museum Vleeshuis up for restoration.
• BOOK | ‘Antwerp. An Archaeological View on the Origin of the City’ by Tim Bellens.
• Red Star Line Museum.
• Paleis op de Meir. 
• DIVA, Antwerp Home of Diamonds.
• ANTWERP | Red Star Line Museum of (e)migration.