Antwerp Pride 2025 programme highlights

The 18th edition (since 2008) of Antwerp Pride takes place from Wednesday 6 to Sunday 10 August 2025 in Antwerp. This year’s theme is “Do not just march! Listen. Understand. Commit”. Prides are a mix of celebration – parties – and activism and advocacy. For the 2025 edition, the organising committee focuses on belonging. Belonging to the society at large – the ‘outside world’ – but also belonging within the rainbow realm.

“The eighteenth edition of Antwerp Pride will take place this year from Wednesday 6 to Sunday 10 August”, the press release says. New this year is Queer Families in Town, an afternoon event where (rainbow) families and their (grand)children can celebrate pride together.

“The past few months have severely tested the global LGBTQIA+ community. Measures that seemed unthinkable just a year ago have now become harsh reality. In Hungary, it has become constitutionally forbidden to peacefully assemble for human rights. In Italy, same-sex parents were at risk of losing their adoption rights. In the United Kingdom, the Supreme Court ruled that only biological women may call themselves women. And in the Netherlands, a crucial transgender rights law hasn’t even made it onto the parliamentary agenda.”

There were also hopeful signs. Italy’s Supreme Court has overturned the adoption measure, and Poland has rolled back its anti-LGBTQIA+ policies and appears to be back on the right path.

Some 200,000 people travelled to Budapest—including a delegation from Antwerp Pride—to stand up against hate and for love.

Belgium continues to be a global frontrunner when it comes to LGBTQIA+ rights. Antwerp ranks among the top five happiest cities, and Belgian politicians openly speak out against injustice abroad, while working to better safeguard our acquired rights.

But the past months have shown clearly that we must not sit back when it comes to human rights.

Kat Van Nuffel, Geert Van Praet, Lien Van de Kelder holding the rainbow flag.

Do Not Just March. Listen. Act. Commit.

That is why Antwerp Pride has chosen this year’s theme: “Do Not Just March. Listen. Act. Commit.”

“Pride is festive, but it is also a time for awareness and engagement. It is now up to political parties, companies, schools, trade unions, and associations to follow through on their commitments after the festivities end. Diversity and inclusion must remain on the agenda all year long—at work, in schools, and on the sports field.”

Antwerp Pride also asks more from its visitors than just being present. “Listen to one another. Oppose all forms of injustice—including internationally—and commit yourself to all letters of the LGBTQIA+ community, without distinction.

Because human rights are not a menu from which you can pick only your own. Antwerp Pride kicks off on 6 August and invites everyone to join in building an inclusive and united society. Here’s what’s planned:

Antwerp Pride chairmain Geert Van Praet.

New: Queer Families in Town

For the first time, Antwerp Pride is organising Queer Families in Town, where (rainbow) families and their (grand)children can celebrate Pride together on Sint-Andriesplaats with a wide range of family activities: a kids’ disco, a bouncy castle, craft workshops and much more. It takes place on Friday 8 August from 14:00 to 18:00.

Afterwards, Pride in Town will continue at the same location.

New: NMBS / SNCB and Trainbow Belgium organise Change Station

NMBS / SNCB and Trainbow Belgium, the LGBTQIA+ network of the Belgian Railways, are setting up a Change Station at Antwerp-Central Railway Station: a safe space where you can change, do your makeup or get ready after arriving in the city.

This way, you don’t have to travel in full glitter mode. Change Station is open on Saturday 9 August from 11:00 to 22:00, in the Press Room on the ground floor of the station’s main hall. No registration needed – everyone is welcome.

New: The Gathering for the Antwerp Pride Parade

The Parade takes place as usual on Saturday 9 August.

“Important: This year we’re gathering at Hessenplein instead of Sint-Jansplein, starting at 11:00″, Antwerp Pride emphasises.

The Parade kicks off at 14:00 and immediately heads from Oude Leeuwenrui and Brouwersvliet to the quays, then follows the river.

At Sint-Jansvliet, it turns into Kloosterstraat, then Scheldestraat, and finally reaches the Love United Festival site at Ledeganckkaai, where the celebration really takes off.

This year, 87 delegations are joining the parade, compared to 83 last year. There will again be water stations and waste islands for litter disposal.

Alderwoman for Equal Opportunities Lien Van de Kelder (Vooruit).

New: Parade live on TV – also in French-speaking Belgium

Last year, around half a million people watched the Parade’s live broadcast.

This year, Proximus, ATV, OUTtv, GoPlay, VTM GO,and VRT MAX are once again working together to broadcast the event.

New this year: Proximus will also create a separate French-language broadcast with its own presenters.

So this time, there will be two unique live shows, one in each language—bringing the Parade to all of Belgium.

New: Info Shop at Stadsfeestzaal opens earlier

The information shop at Stadsfeestzaal will open already on 2 August, and will be open daily from 10:00 until Saturday 9 August. On Saturday and Sunday, you’ll also find our shop at the festival site.

Opening Party

Wednesday evening, 6 August, the OLT Rivierenhof will once again become the beating heart of Antwerp for our Opening Party.

Performing on the city’s most beautiful stage: Sandrine, ALESSIO, Aurélie, Jean Toxic, OLIVIA, Miss Travestie Belgium 2025 Joanne Grace, Absolute Britney, and Koen Crucke.

“We stick to the pay-what-you-can principle: the standard price is €25, but you can choose a lower price for the same ticket. We aim to be inclusive for everyone.”

Pride in Town

Friday 8 August from 18:00, Pride in Town returns. This event offers a space for those who don’t enjoy the big crowds.

This year’s theme encourages us to go beyond partying: listening to diverse voices within our community, supporting one another, and understanding the unique experiences that shape our identities is more important than ever.

Performances by Antwerp Queer Choir, Hugo Sigal, DJEMI & Bodil Coco,and Justin Spears.

Board member Kat Van Nuffel also mention together with the Red Cross‘ shelter on Linkeroever, artistic talent was discovered amongst the residing refugees.

Love United, Pride Village, and Closing Festival

The Love United Festival takes place again this year along the Scheldt Quays, at Ledeganckkaai and Cockerillkaai, starting at 15:00.

Two stages will feature DJs:

Love Stage: TSA Music, DJ Preztone, KroesControl, Crazy Sir G, Nina Black, Arthur Lewis, Andro-G.
United Stage: Donna Bummer, AM 2 PM, Laurens Luyten, and Dr. T.

The party lasts until midnight and admission is free.

The Pride Village, where LGBTQIA+ organisations present themselves, is also located on this festival site.

On Sunday, the Closing Festival takes over the large festival grounds on the Scheldt quays. From 14:00 to 23:00, you can sing and dance along to top acts and guilty pleasures.

Among the performers: The queens of the Antwerp Show Ball led by Sederginne, Charlie Lima, DJ Digna, Level Six, RED SEBASTIAN, SYLVER, GRIGRI Y EL MACHO FANTASTICO, and DJ Kat.

Red Sebastian will also perform this year’s anthem: ‘Slay!‘.

And much more:

Our partners are also organising many official pride parties:

On Thursday evening, 7 August, the traditional Midsummer Party takes place at Café Den Draak.
On Saturday night, a special edition of Woodpop lights up the Cargo Club, and there are numerous parties at café DeLux, Jeffrey’s, Hessenhuis, Club Random, and Bonaparte.
The MAS Museum is also taking part again with the interactive presentation MAS Darling.
The Antwerp Queer Arts Festival adds a coda to Antwerp Pride with ‘Queer Passion‘, performed to the music of Johann Sebastian Bach on 22 August at Opera Antwerp.

Beyond Antwerp Pride pushed back to 26 October

Fascinating conversations, spicy opinions, inspiring workshops,… Beyond Antwerp Pride looks beyond the party noise and invites you to think along about what is going on within our community and how we can get started with it”, Antwerp Pride says.

Beyond Pride is the place where thoughts, questions and engagement are central. “This day challenges you to think along about current social challenges within and outside our LGBTQIA+ community through a series of conversations, workshops and discussion forums.”

“Beyond Pride is the moment where you can ask real questions, where complexity is embraced and where solidarity translates into action. In this way, Pride becomes not just a party, but also a lever for change. It is an invitation to actively help build a warmer, more brooding city as a community and as a citizen.”

Beyond Antwerp Pride has been pushed back to 26 October 2025. The board feels the event deserves more time and attention and organising during pride week doesn’t really work.

Antwerp Pride 2025 overview

Information Centre: 3–10 August.
Queer Families in Town: 8 August.
Pride Opening Night: 6 August.
Pride in Town: 8 August.
Pride Parade: 9 August.
Pride Village: 9 & 10 August.
Love United Festival: 9 August.
Closing Festival: 10 August

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