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 seventeenth edition of Antwerp Pride was concluded today at the Scheldt Quays with the Antwerp Pride Closing Festival. In total, an estimated 170,000 people came to the celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community over the entire weekend. The organisation says it is very pleased with a successful edition that went off without a hitch, Antwerp Pride says in a press release.

The famous Antwerp drag queen Sederginne and more than 90 drag queens and dancers brought a grand spectacle to the Closing Festival this afternoon with their ‘Show Ball‘.

There was another surprise during their performance. Celine was taken out of the audience and brought on stage. Her friend Karine was ready in the wings to propose to Celine on stage. The yes word came and was followed by a deafening applause from the audience. Antwerp Pride was festively concluded with performances by DJ Kat, Jessy, Cookies & Cream, Pauline, Belle Perez, Sven Ornelis and Heisa Jynx.

The festival started on Wednesday evening in the OLT Rivierenhof and reached its peak yesterday, Saturday, with the Antwerp Pride parade.  84 delegations including 42 floats marched in a colorful procession along the Scheldt Quays. It was the largest parade ever and attracted a total of around 150,000 participants and visitors: a record for the parade. For the first time, the parade could also be followed live on various media platforms.

The much smaller, quieter event Pride in Town on the Sint-Andriesplaats – where there was room for spoken word and performances – was also a success with around 500 visitors.

With all other Antwerp Pride events, the organisation estimates the total number of visitors at around 170,000.

This year, Antwerp Pride was all about ‘Many Voices. One Pride‘ with which the organization mainly wanted to focus on the connection within the community as an example for the rest of society.

No major incidents occurred during Antwerp Pride

The organization is therefore extremely pleased with this successful edition and would especially like to emphasize the excellent cooperation with the City of Antwerp and all (emergency) services and would also like to thank everyone who contributed to this festive protest.

After a short rest period, the organisation will start the eighteenth edition of Antwerp Pride, which will again take place during the second week of August 2025.

Antwerp Pride 2024 & Antwerp Queer Arts Festival 2024

• PHOTOS | 150,000 people attend 2024 Antwerp Pride parade.
• Antwerp Pride 2024 programme highlights.
• ANTWERP PRIDE 2024 | Parade to be filmed and streamed, 85 floats and delegations.
• ANTWERP PRIDE 2024 | Parade route & map for Saturday 10 August.
• ANTWERP PRIDE 2024 | Opening Night, Wednesday 7 August, Openluchttheater OLT Rivierenhof, Deurne.
• Antwerp Pride Weekend at M HKA from 8 to 11 August 2024.
• 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.
• PHOTOS | Rainbow lights on Antwerp landmarks for pride… and the municipal elections.
• 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”.
• Antwerp to host EuroGames in 2028?.

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.