Experience

Antwerp Pride Parade 2025 with 90 delegations, a new starting point and a code of conduct

Posted by Timothy on

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. 

Saturday 9 August will mark the highlight of Antwerp Pride 2025, with the traditional Antwerp Pride Parade taking to the streets. This year, no fewer than 90 delegations will take part, making it the largest parade ever. Thanks to Proximus, the event will once again be broadcast live on several platforms – and for the first time, also in French-speaking Belgium.

Last year’s Antwerp Pride Parade featured 85 delegations. This year, there are 90, including 44 motorised delegations. That makes this the largest parade since 2011, the first year a parade was held during Antwerp Pride.

This year’s line-up includes the Federation of Funeral Directors, Eros Elite (an advocacy group for sex workers), the Walt Disney Company, Familiehulp, and Balkan Pride. Also joining is ‘De Ark van Nona‘ (‘The Arch of Nona‘), the colourful float inspired by the VRT MAX show of the same name.

The Antwerp Pride truck with special guest Red Sebastian will close the parade. The end of the parade is expected around 5 PM.

New starting point

Participants are expected to gather from 11:00 at Hessenplein and nót Sint-Jansplein. While the delegations prepare for departure, the atmosphere will be warmed up by Qmusic host Ulrike D’Hauwer and a short performance by Red Sebastian.

Antwerp Alderwoman Lien Van de Kelder (Vooruit) will officially launch the parade at 14:00 sharp at Brouwersvliet.

The route will head towards the Scheldt River, follow the waterfront, turn at Sint-Jansvliet onto Kloosterstraat, and continue via Scheldestraat to the Love United Festival grounds at the Cockerillkaai, where the party will kick off.

Water stations and waste islands

Along the route, there will be water stations and – for the first time – waste islands to help keep things tidy.

There is ample space along the entire parade route for the public to watch, and organisers ask spectators to spread out along the course for the best experience.

Live broadcast

For the second year running, Proximus and ATV will broadcast the Antwerp Pride Parade live on multiple streaming platforms: Proximus Pickx+, ATV, TV Oost, OutTV, MENT, VTM GO, VRT MAX, and the platforms of De Morgen, Gazet van Antwerpen, Het Laatste Nieuws, Het Nieuwsblad, and Het Belang van Limburg. 

The parade will also be broadcast in French-speaking Belgium, with a separate live show.

For the Flemish broadcast, viewers will be joined by presenters Evy Gruyaert, Matthias Vandenbulcke, Charlotte Leysen, Sverre Denis, Steffi Vertriest, Saartje Vandendriessche, Marie Niasse, and Sara Vermassen.

Last year, over 495,000 Flemish viewers tuned in to the TV show. Organisers hope even more will join this year.

Code of conduct

Is this new on the website? Antwerp Prides communicates a code of conduct for the parade. Oddly, it’s only published in Dutch. 

Purpose of the code of conduct

Antwerp Pride has published this code of conduct to ensure that everyone can participate in the Antwerp Pride Parade in a safe, visible and respectful way. The parade is a space for both celebration and protest, rooted in the fight for equality and human rights. These guidelines are designed to protect the safety of participants and spectators, and to uphold the values Antwerp Pride stands for.

Participation and conduct

According to Antwerp Pride, anyone is welcome to participate in the parade, provided their involvement is peaceful and respectful, promotes human rights, equality and inclusion, and their group is officially registered with the organisation. All participants must also have signed the Antwerp Pride inclusivity charter. Messages that contain hate speech or discriminatory content are not permitted.

Participants are encouraged to use banners, costumes, slogans, art and performance to express their message. Antwerp Pride stresses the importance of mutual respect among all groups. Pride is not a competition of ideals, and differing perspectives must be able to exist alongside one another. The event’s stewards and organisers are there for the safety of all, and their instructions must be followed at all times.

Prohibited behaviour

Antwerp Pride outlines several behaviours that are not permitted. Entering floats or vehicles without permission is forbidden, as these are private spaces. Standing in front of or walking between moving vehicles is dangerous and strictly not allowed. Aggressive behaviour – whether verbal or physical – including provocation or deliberate confrontation, will not be tolerated.

Symbols, slogans or flags that incite hate or oppression – including racism, antisemitism, sexism or queerphobia – are banned from the parade. The misuse of alcohol or drugs that leads to a loss of control or puts others at risk may result in removal from the event. Antwerp Pride also prohibits vandalism or damage to floats, vehicles or others’ property.

Freedom of expression

Antwerp Pride emphasises that critical voices and protest are welcome within the LGBTQIA+ community. Participants are free to question societal systems or express criticism, as long as this is done peacefully and with respect for safety, the freedom of other participants, and the core values of Antwerp Pride: solidarity, inclusion and non-violence.

Participation in the parade is only permitted for individuals and groups registered with Antwerp Pride. Unregistered participation is not covered by the event permit granted by the City of Antwerp. Any unauthorised march or protest falls outside the official event and may result in exclusion or arrest, unless formal permission has been granted in advance.

Safety and cooperation

Antwerp Pride asks all participants to leave fireworks, weapons and dangerous objects at home. Everyone must follow the official route. If a conflict arises, participants are instructed to report it to a steward or security staff rather than intervening themselves.

Antwerp Pride concludes by reminding everyone that Pride belongs to all. It calls on participants to help ensure that the event remains a safe, powerful and inclusive space for every identity and every voice.

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