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.

Many Voices. One Protest.
Many Voices. One Celebration.
Many Voices. One Parade.
Many Voices. One Pride.

Under these slogans, Antwerp Pride is preparing to immerse the city in rainbow colors for the seventeenth time.

“The fact that there are dark clouds that want to push the rainbow away has become clear during the past election campaign. But the figures from the recent study by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights are also worrying”, Antwerp Pride, as an organisation, says in its annual pre-event press release. 

“Half of Belgian queers do not dare to walk hand in hand on the street or avoid certain places for fear of violence. Two-thirds are bullied at school. 60 percent of LGBTQIA+ youth do not feel safe at school. These are figures that don’t make you happy”, president of the board Geert van Praet says.

Booing Mister Gay Belgium

“The right-wing and anti-gender movement are sweeping Europe. It no longer happens on the edges of Europe or in distant countries, but also with us. On the eve of International Day Against Homophobia, Trnsphobia, Bifophobia and Queerphobia (IDAHOT), the candidates of Mister Gay Belgium marched through the city with a rainbow flag. They were booed from the terraces on the Grote Markt. Also during the last election campaign, harsh language was often used when it came to our community.”

“As Antwerp Pride we want to draw a line in the sand and say: this far and no further. We’re not going backwards anymore and we’re certainly not going back into the closet again! We want to move forward! But we can only do that if we all stand on that line. Together! All with our own voice. Hence ‘Many Voices. One Pride’. But you can also replace ‘One Pride’ with ‘One Protest’ or ‘One Celebration’.”

“Our community is very diverse. We have many associations. These associations each have their role, their purpose, their supporters, their opinion. Sometimes we can have different opinions and that is okay. But during Pride we show ourselves together”, Geert Van Praet concludes

Opening Party at OLT Rivierenhof

On Wednesday 7 August OLT Rivierenhof once again hosts the Opening Party.

Antwerp Pride kicks off with a new formula full of celebration and lots of young talent. Expect performances by Dr. T and Laurens Luyten, Aurélie, Mandy McCandy, Rose Cohen, Red Sebastian and Billy Jean. 

InTeam Producties presents a preview of their new musical ‘Kinky Boots‘ and Ivann returns to Antwerp Pride with his ‘Tribute to George Michael‘.

“We maintain the ‘Pay What You Can’ principle. This allows you to determine your own price. The price of 16 euros is the basic price. If a lower rate makes it easier for you to attend, you are free to choose that. If you choose the higher ticket price, you help Antwerp Pride keep the threshold low for others.

Parade live on television

New this year is that the Antwerp Pride parade will be broadcast live thanks to a collaboration with ATV and Proximus. In addition to ATV and Proximus Pickx, the images are also streamed on the platforms: GoPlay, OUTtv, GVA, VTM GO, VRT MAX, HLN and De Morgen. Thanks to this pax media, the parade is broadcast throughout Flanders.

The parade traditionally takes place on the Saturday, which this year is 10 August . They will gather again at Sint-Jansplein and at 2 PM the parade will leave from the Oudeleeuwenrui towards the Scheldt Quays to the festival site at the Cockerillkaai where the Love United Festival will take place until midnight.

Beyond Antwerp Pride

“During Beyond Antwerp Pride we shine the spotlight on the Many Voices within our community: the rich LGBTQIA+ association life in Antwerp. We bundle various activities on one Sunday afternoon, 4 August. Expect fascinating conversations, inspiring workshops and exciting encounters.”

Political debate

It goes without saying that important municipal elections are coming up in October. On Friday 9 August, Antwerp Pride hosts a party leader debate and delve deeper into questions about how we can make our city an even better place. Dave Sinardet will moderate the debate.

Both Beyond Antwerp Pride and the debate will be held at Play Zuid.

Pride in Town

Pride in Town also returns. 

“With Pride in Town we organise a place for those who don’t like the big party atmosphere. On Friday 9 August from 6 PM at the Sint-Andriesplaats you can enjoy performances by, among others: DROM, Jaouad Alloul & Alexander Piper and deejay sets by Gisgawa ft. MC Lyp’s and Ilse Liebens.

Love United and Closing Festival

The Love United Festival on Saturday after the pride parade will take place again this year on the Scheldt Quays near the Ledeganckkaai and the Cockerillkaai and starts at 3 PM. 

Various DJs will play on two stages, including KroesControl, DJ Preztone, DJ Digna, 5napback, Arthur Lewis, Leroy, Donna Bummer, Pop Rules, AM2PM, Yellant, Laurens Luyten and also Discobar Joossens featuring MC Spaghetti aka Koen Crucke. The party here lasts until midnight and admission is free.

The Pride Village, in which numerous LGBTQIA+ organizations present themselves, is also located on this festival site.

On Sunday, the Closing Festival will take over the large festival site on the Scheldt Quays. From 2 PM to 11 PM you can sing and dance along with great artists and some guilty pleasures. Among the artists: the queens of the Antwerp Show Ball led by Sederginne, Belle Perez, Pauline, Sven Ornelis, Cookies and Cream and DJ Kat ft. Jessy.

Partner events

Naturally, Antwerp Pride partners organise many official pride parties in between. On Thursday evening 8 August, there will be the traditional Midsummer Party at Café Den Draak, which will also organise an XXL Drag Bingo on Friday. 

On Friday 9 August 9, Twilight and Café Cock are once again organizing a Roof of Love on Theaterplein. On Saturday evening/night there will be an extra spectacular edition of Woodpop at the Waagnatie. 

There will be Oh Honey and many other parties in Café DeLux, Jeffrey’s, Hessenhuis, Club Random or Bonaparte.

Antwerp Queer Arts Festival has once again prepared a rich program (www.queerarts.be).

For all practical information and tickets: www.antwerppride.com.

In a nutshell (in Dutch)

• Antwerp Queer Arts Festival: van 03 – 31 augustus – verschillende locaties – tickets bij organisatie
• Pride Informatie Center: 03 – 11 augustus – Stadsfeestzaal
• Beyond Antwerp Pride: 04 augustus – Play Zuid
• Pride Week at Bonaparte: van 04 – 11 augustus – Bonaparte – gratis
• Pride Opening Party: 07 augustus – OLT – Toegang 13 – 16 – 19 euro
• Roof of Love: 07 en 10 augustus – Theaterplein
• Club Random: 08 – 12 augustus
• Midsummer Party: 08 augustus – Den Draak – gratis
• Café DeLux: 08 – 11 augustus
• Beyond Antwerp Pride: Lijsttrekkersdebat – 09 augustus – Play Zuid
• LOUD&QueeR at Jeffrey’s: 09 augustus
• Hessenhuis: 09 – 11 augustus
• Antwerp Pride Parade: 10 augustus – 14.00 uur – Oude Leeuwenrui
• Love United Festival: 10 augustus – Cockerillkaai – gratis
• Antwerp Pride Village: 10 augustus – Cockerillkaai – gratis
• Pride in Town: 9 augustus – Sint-Andriesplaats – gratis
• Oh Honey: 10 augustus – Club Capital
• Woodpop: 10 augustus – Waagnatie – tickets bij organisatie
• Closing Festival: 11 augustus – Cockerillkaai – gratis

Antwerp Pride 2024 & Antwerp Queer Arts Festival 2024

• ANTWERP PRIDE 2024 | Parade route & map for Saturday 10 August.
• 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.