With three Happy New Queer New Year’s parties and a call for residencies for Antwerp Queer Arts Festival 2025, AQAF is broadening its horizon to Bruges in West Flanders and Leuven in Flemish Brabant.

Although Antwerp Queer Arts Festival hasn’t made an official announcement, it is naming Bruges and Leuven in recent communication. 

Happy New Queer

“Happy New Queer is back! In January 2025, we’ll be celebrating a queer New Year not once, but three times—in Bruges, Leuven, and Antwerp. You’re invited to join us for this spectacular live show, where a rotating lineup of fresh queer talent stands shoulder-to-shoulder with more established acts. Our hosts will guide you through a whirlwind evening, blending performances with queer New Year’s letters and following up lipsyncs with stand-up comedy. Plus, there’s an extensive side program to enjoy.”

The Happy New Queer parties are scheduled for

• Friday 17 January at Schouwburg / 3OCC in Leuven.
• Wednesday 22 January at Koninklijke Stadsschouwburg in Bruges.
• Sunday 26 January at De Studio in Antwerp.

A Night Called Quest

“Are you a queer creator or part of a group/collective of queer creators aged between 18 and 26? Are you looking for a place to develop your project idea and present it to the public?? Do you have availability in August? Sign up for A Night Called Quest, a development program, residency, and festival organized by the Antwerp Queer Arts Festival and De Studio. All disciplines are welcome: theater, performances, installations, spoken word, photography, dance, video, music, painting, and more.”

“What can we offer you? Four weeks of time and space in either  Antwerp, Bruges, Leuven to develop your plan, working with queer coaches and artists with fixed dates for collaborative sessions organised at De Studio in Antwerp. A production budget of €500 to spend as you see fit. The opportunity to present at least once, and up to three times, during the A Night Called Quest festival weekend.”

What are we looking for? Inspiring project ideas that bring untold stories to light or explore innovative methods. Makers or (ad hoc) collectives with a distinct style or a clear research question to work towards. Full commitment to the project and availability throughout August. You’ll mostly set your own working hours, but we expect you to be present in Antwerp on specific days (see the schedule in the FAQ). Deadline: February 28, 11:59 PM. Results will be announced on April 1.”

QueerArts.be

Let’s also not forget the url doesn’t mention Antwerp and never has. From the start, the AQAF organisers hoped to broaden their horizons to further afield in Flanders. 

Antwerp Pride 2025 & Antwerp Queer Arts Festival 2025

• Antwerp Pride 2025 from Wednesday 6 to Sunday 10 August.

Darklands 2025-2026

• ANTWERP | Darklands to leave Waagnatie after 2025.
• Darklands 2025 from Tuesday 25 February until Monday 3 March.
• Darklands 2025 theme: ‘Darklands Glows’, stays at Waagnatie until 2030.

The latest on prides in Belgium

• ANTWERP | Darklands to leave Waagnatie after 2025.
• ANTWERP 2025-2030 | City government agreement supports bid for EuroGames in Antwerp in 2028.
• The Belgian Pride declared bankrupt, but Brussels Pride 2025 will go ahead.
• Limburg Pride 2025 to focus on mental wellbeing.
• Leuven Pride 2024 parade route from railway station to Ferdinand Smoldersplein.
• Liège Pride 2025 on Friday 22, Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 August.
• Antwerp Pride 2025 from Wednesday 6 to Sunday 10 August.
• CHARLEROI PRIDE | Three days of inclusivity and festivities.
• Antwerp Queer Arts Festival from 3 to 31 August 2024: programme.
• Queer March Ghent 2024 on Saturday 30 March at Viernulvier.