Experience

Antwerp Pride 2027 dates to be determined: 2 to 8 or 9 to 15 August

Posted by Timothy on

2026 marks the nineteenth (19th) edition of Antwerp Pride. From Wednesday 5 to Sunday 9 August, Antwerp in Belgium will once again be taken over by rainbow vibes. Prides are a mix of celebration – parties – and activism and advocacy. For the 2026 edition, the organising committee focuses on fearing less and being fearless.

Antwerp Pride 2027 will take place during the “second week of August”, according to the organisers, but the exact dates have yet to be decided.

That leaves some room for interpretation. In 2027, 31 July falls on a Saturday and 1 August on a Sunday. Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 August are the dates closest to this year’s Pride weekend, but 15 August – the Sunday a week later – is an important date in Antwerp as it is Mother’s Day and often coincides with other major events.

So what exactly does “the second week of August” mean? “We don’t know that ourselves yet,” outgoing Antwerp Pride spokesperson Wilfried Eetezonne says with a wink.

The dates will be confirmed as preparations begin for the twentieth edition of Antwerp Pride, following what organisers describe as a successful nineteenth edition that ended on Sunday with the Closing Festival at the Scheldt Quays.

185,000 visitors over five days

Antwerp Pride estimates that around 185,000 people attended its events across the five-day programme. The organisation says the edition ran smoothly and was a success.

The biggest crowds came on Saturday, when the Antwerp Pride Parade drew an estimated 170,000 participants and spectators, a record for the parade. A total of 82 delegations took part, including 33 floats and other motorised vehicles. The parade travelled along the Scheldt before ending at the Cockerillkaai, where the Love United Festival continued the celebrations.

The parade was also broadcast live across several media platforms in Belgium.

Nearly 70 events across the city

The Pride week opened on Wednesday evening at the Rivierenhof Open-Air Theatre, where more than 1,500 people attended the opening event. In total, almost 70 large and small events were organised throughout the city, ranging from community activities such as group crocheting to large parties.

One of the events aimed specifically at families also returned for a second edition. Queer Families in Town at Sint-Andriesplaats attracted more visitors than its inaugural edition, according to Antwerp Pride. Around 100 parents and children attended activities including a children’s disco, clowns and bouncy castles, with children’s character Mega Mindy also making an appearance.

The family event was followed by Pride in Town, a programme combining activism and cultural performances. Antwerp city poet Esohe Weyden performed a poem she had written specifically for Antwerp Pride.

The organisation estimates that all events together attracted around 185,000 visitors.

‘Fearless’ focused on safety

This year’s theme was ‘Fearless’. According to the organisers, it was intended not only as an invitation to LGBTQIA+ people to be visible without fear, but also as a demand for greater safety for the community.

That safety, Antwerp Pride stressed, should not be limited to the five days of Pride but should be addressed throughout the year.

The organisation said it was particularly pleased with the cooperation with the City of Antwerp and the various emergency and public services involved in the event. It also thanked everyone who contributed to the nineteenth edition.

After a short break, preparations will begin for the twentieth edition of Antwerp Pride, scheduled, for now, for that still rather mysterious “second week of August 2027”.

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