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.

The main event of a pride week, festival, event, …, whatever you want to call it, is the pride parade. While “pride is protest” and Antwerp Pride always makes a point to have a strong societally relevant theme, offers a plethora of activities, the parade on Saturday is and remains its main attraction. 

“Pride is protest and what better way to protest than to show who we are and what we stand for in all our lovely colours”, Antwerp Pride says.

The route

All participants are asked to convene at the Sint-Jansplein in Antwerp North, where the ‘pre-party’ starts at noon.

“Then we march as a group to the Paardenmarkt where the trucks will be ready and the parade will be set up. The parade starts at 2 PM and immediately turns into the Hessenbrug to wave to the Hessenhuis Café.”

A little further the parade turns left on Oudeleeuwenrui and Brouwersvliet in the direction of the Scheldt River. 

The route then goes along the river and at the Sint-Jansvliet  – a part of the Scheldt Quays – where the parade takes a turn into the Kloosterstraat, past the statue of Czar Peter the Great – under whose reign Russia was still tolerant towards homosexuality – into the Scheldestraat and then towards the site of the Love United Festival on the Ledeganckkaai where the concert and party gets going.

Spread out

“If you come to watch the parade, there are good views everywhere along the route, so please spread out along the route to cheer on your favourite floats.”

But what if there’s another heatwave?

It’s hard to imagine at the moment as spring and early summer have been dominated by low(ish) temperatures, grey skies and not too little rain fall. 

Along the entire route of the parade, through the support of Antwerp Pride partner Water-Link, there will be freely available water points to top up your bottle and stay hydrated.

The exact location of these points can also be found on the  map.

“Shade can be found alongside the parade route, especially at the Oudeleeuwenrui, Brouwersvliet and the Kloosterstraat. But be sure to bring your refillable bottle, a cap and sunscreen.”

Recap

The parade starts at 2 PM and is scheduled to end at 4 PM. The route is the same as the previous editions. 

• 2 PM (14h) Oudeleeuwenrui.
• Brouwersvliet.
• Jordaenskaai.
• Ernest Van Dijckkaai.
• Sint-Jansvliet.
• Oever.
• Kloosterstraat.
• Scheldestraat.
• 4 PM (16h) Cockerillkaai (Pride Festival Grounds)

Practical information. 

Antwerp Pride 2024 & Antwerp Queer Arts Festival 2024

• ANTWERP PRIDE 2024 | Opening Night, Wednesday 7 August, Openluchttheater OLT Rivierenhof, Deurne.
• 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

• 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.
• Antwerp Pride 2024 theme: ‘Many Voices. One Pride’.
• 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.