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. 

Antwerp Pride has had the support of the City of Antwerp since the beginning. As a matter of fact, Antwerp Pride started at the urgency of then-Alderman for Tourism Philip Heylen (CD&V) who wanted more than just some gays cruising on the Scheldt during NaviGAYtion. 

At the now traditional press conference at the start of July, Alderwoman for Culture, Work, Equal Opportunities and International Solidarity Lien Van de Kelder (Vooruit) said: “The most beautiful thing you can be is yourself. And this not a given, not even in our city.”

“Each human being counts. Love doesn’t warrant permission. Pride is a party, but it’s also a verb.” Calling something a verb is popular with policy makers to point out some goal has to be worked for. 

“Pride is protest against systems which want to keep people small”, Van de Kelder said. Pride is an active attitude. 

200,000 (?) attendees for pride

Van de Kelder referred to the 2025 Budapest Pride in Hungary. Banned by the central Viktor Orbán government because Hungary now constitutionally bans outings of non-traditional family values, turned into a cultural city event by Mayor Gergely Szilveszter Karácsony to circumnavigate the ban, the pride drew 180,000 to 200,000 people from Hungary and beyond.

According to the Alderwoman, Antwerp Pride also draws such big crowds. Thats quite exaggerated. Last year, some 150,000 people attended the pride parade as participant or spectator. “Quite a message from Antwerp, to Antwerp”, Van de Kelder said.

She also highlighted the 350 or so volunteers making Antwerp Pride possible.

“Antwerp will be a city where people feel at home. Freedom, equality and respect are key values”, she said. 

Other government levels

At the end of the press conference, Van de Kelder said she talked LGBTQIA+ issues with other government levels, Flanders and Belgium. Her party Vooruit is represented at both levels.

Rainbow-lit buildings

At the press conference, Antwerp Pride chairman Geert Van Praet revealed the City of Antwerp will, as last year, light up buildings in rainbow colours. More buildings have been selected. 

Which ones, will be communicated later. 

Antwerp Pride 2025

• Antwerp Pride 2025 programme highlights.
• ANTWERP PRIDE 2025 | Opening Party at OLT Rivierenhof Deurne on Wednesday 6 August.
• ANTWERP PRIDE 2025 | Pride Comedy Show at Theater Het Klokhuis on Thursday 7 August.
• ANTWERP PRIDE 2025 | Post-parade Love United Festival at Cockerillkaai line-up.
• 2025 Antwerp Pride Parade keeps well-known route.
• ANTWERP PRIDE 2025 | Change Station at Antwerp-Central’s Perszaal offers safe haven to change into pride outfit.
• VIDEO | Red Sebastian’s ‘Slay’ designated official anthem for Antwerp Pride 2025.
• ANTWERP PRIDE 2025 THEME | Do Not Just March.
• Antwerp Pride 2025’s theme: “Do not just march! Listen. Understand. Commit.”.
• Antwerp Pride 2025 from Wednesday 6 to Sunday 10 August.

Antwerp Queer Arts Festival 2025

• PROGRAMME | Antwerp Queer Arts Festival 2025 from 2 to 30 August.
• ANTWERP QUEER ARTS FESTIVAL 2025 | ‘QueerPassion’, inspired by Johann Sebastian Bach.
• Antwerp Queer Arts Festival broadens horizon to Bruges and Leuven.

Darklands 2025-2026

• Beyond Darklands 2026 from Tuesday 3 to Monday 9 March at the Antwerp Waagnatie.
• Darklands organiser calls out unnecessary rules other events aren’t subjected to.
• GAY ANTWERP | Darklands 2026 becomes Beyond Darklands.
• GAY ANTWERP | Darklands 2026 changes name and concept, but keeps Waagnatie as venue.
• Darklands 2025 aims at actively welcoming FLINTA people.
• DARKLANDS 2025 | Programme & schedule highlights.
• Darklands 2025 drops token payment system in favour of top-up Darkband.
• 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 LGBTQIA+ events such as prides in Belgium

• Beyond Darklands 2026 from Tuesday 3 to Monday 9 March at the Antwerp Waagnatie.
• Limburg Pride 2025 prepares for its first march in Hasselt.
• Mechelen to organise a Pride Week from 2026?.
• Bruges Pride Parade 2025 on Saturday 14 June.
• Mons Pride 2025 on Saturday 31 May.
• BRUSSELS | Pride Museum takes over MIMA from 15 June to 15 July with ‘What About Queer?’.
• NAMUR PRIDE 2025 | Pride Day, Solidarity March and community celebration.
• BRUSSELS PRIDE 2025 | Forbidden Colours calls out EU pinkwashing as Commission participates in pride but abandons LGBTQIA+ in Hungary.
• Pride Express links Ghent, Brussels and Antwerp to Pride Amsterdam on Saturday 2 August 2025.
• Leuven Pride 2025 on Saturday 27 September.
• ANTWERP PRIDE 2025 THEME | Do Not Just March.
• Queer March Ghent 2025 from 1 to 31 March.
• Belgium to host Eurovision Song Contest 2026? But in which city?.
• PinX LGBTQIA+ Film Festival in Ghent and in Antwerp from 29 January to 2 February 2025.
• ANTWERP 2025-2030 | City government agreement supports bid for EuroGames in Antwerp in 2028.
• Liège Pride 2025 on Friday 22, Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 August.
• CHARLEROI PRIDE | Three days of inclusivity and festivities.