Pride season in Belgium continues as Antwerp Pride prepares to shake up the dog days. For pretty much the entire month of August, you can experience the finest and queerest the city has to offer, wherever you turn. Now and ever is the time to appreciate that we get to do this at all. Here’s what to know and where to go. Happy Pride, or: padam padam!

THE THEME

This year’s edition is titled ‘Braveolution’. It’s a declaration to claim Antwerp as a ‘brave space’ for LGBTQIA+ folks to thrive in year-round as well as a call to action for allies to display the courage it takes to make society inclusive for all. Discover more about the meaning and history behind the theme here.

THE EVENTS

Pride has an official opening night concert on August 9. Taking to the stage at OLT Rivierenhof, Antwerp’s finest outdoor theatre, are undeniable performers like Martha Da’Ro, Grace Khuabi, Dj Sahra and more. Tickets are available (but not for long) at a pay-what-you-can price. There are happenings aplenty scheduled: like ‘Friends of Dorothy’ - an abundant queer gathering hosted by Scarlett LaBoumBoum of Drag Delight, performance collective Partytrashers and Quatsch Collective - or the reincarnated ‘Human Rights Fridays’ (now named Beyond Pride) where discussions are held on themes like dealing with antigender movements. City museum MAS is hosting its first three-day festival ‘MAS Darling’, including queer history lectures and arthouse film screenings and a closing party dj’ed by Kim Peers and more.

Friends of Dorothy - August 6 - Zomerfabriek
Pride Opening Night - August 9 - OLT Rivierenhof
Beyond Pride … Discusses - August 9 - De Studio
MAS Darling - August 9-12 - MAS
Bam Bam Slam! Open stage - August 10 - S14
Beyond Pride … Educates - August 10 - Het Roze Huis
Beyond Pride … Empowers - August 11 - De Studio
Pride - Women in Town - August 12 - Sint Andriesplaats

THE PARADE - AUGUST 12

The parade is when Pride reaches a fever pitch. On Saturday August 12, the city doffs its hat to us as the ‘Love United Festival’ takes centre stage at the main village on the Cockerillkaai. Expect pricy bevvies, unlimited dancing and the best vibes. Last year’s edition was swelteringly hot so stay hydrated and take it easy in between dance floor stints. There are pop-up stages and happenings at bars and squares all around town so go explore!

Pride Parade - August 12 (2 PM) - Brouwersvliet
Love United Festival - August 12 (3 PM) - Cockerillkaai
Pride Closing Festival - August 13 (3 PM) - Cockerillkaai


THE ARTS

A pivotal part of the Antwerp Pride experience is taking in the many performances, installations and exhibitions that make up the Antwerp Queer Arts Festival. From August 4 till the 26th, you can immerse yourself in the best literature, film screenings, labs, live on stage performances and much more on offer, sometimes with flexible ‘pay what you can’ prices. Here are a few select events not to miss. For the full daily lineup, head here.

Antwerp Queer Arts Opening Night Exhibition - August 4 - Extra City/Morpho
Street Art Work - August 5 - Permeke, De Coninckplein
Queer Tour KMSKA - August 5-13 - KMSKA (tours in English & Dutch)
Queer Shorts - August 6 - De Cinema
Peter Platel 'More Queer Perspectives’ opening (intro by Fleur Pierets) - August 8
'‘Send In The Clowns’ open drag stage - August 12 - De Studio
Literary Evening - August 18 - Permeke Library
’The Radical’ and ‘Labor’ Belgian premiere - August 20 - De Cinema

THE PARTIES

To get your Renaissance (yes, still!) and queen Kylie fix, the many parties popping up across town will roll-call you. As is tradition, nighttime is when Pride bursts into full spectre. From pure pop bliss to a ballroom kiki and fetish sync-ups, these are the shindigs to yell ‘assemble’ for.

Summer of Love Kiki Function - August 11 - De Singel
Oh Darling - August 11 - MASbox
H.I.M. Pride Edition - August 12 - IKON
Cutfest 2.0 - August 12 - Bar Cut
Woodpop Pride Afterparty - August 12 - Waagnatie
Love United dj stages - August 12 - Cockerillkaai
SHE - Women party - August 12 - Red & Blue
All The Lovers - August 13 - Mika

If you’re unable or not ready to join the festive fray at Pride this year, know that we march for you and with you in spirit always. If it’s your first time going and you’re feeling unsure what to expect, here’s a first-timer 101 guide and a Pride safety resource you can check out.

If you’re questioning or looking for support / mental health resources / organisations to reach out to regarding your or a loved one’s identity and/or sexuality, you can head here or here. In Belgium, you can contact Lumi for all questions regarding gender and sexuality.

Missing an event in the list? Don’t hesitate to e-mail us!

Antwerp Pride is an initiative by the Antwerp Pride organisation.
For full details & programming, head here. Visit the Pride Information Centre from August 5 - 13 at Stadsfeestzaal Antwerp.

Header image: (c) Ryan McGinley via Vogue.com