Antwerp Gay Pride 2023

Antwerp Gay Pride 2023 Packed full of parties, parades and politics!

Antwerp is probably one of the most open and tolerant cities in the world concerning gay rights and acceptation of the gay lifestyle. Although it’s a rather small city (population 600.000) it hosts numerous gay shops, venues and events, among them the famous Red & Blue night club and cruising bar The Boots. Antwerp actually staged Belgium’s first LGBT Pride Parade in 1979.

• Visiting Antwerp Pride? Stay in the old town, close to all the pride celebrations and parties. The Hotel Julien is a “Superb” rated 4-star hotel located in the heart of the city with delicious breakfast options and a relaxed vibe.

Pride Opening Night

• Wednesday, August 9th – Antwerp Pride Opening Night @ OLT Rivierenhof
• Antwerp Pride will once again take over OLT Rivierenhof for a dazzling Antwerp Pride Opening Night. The Antwerp Pride kicks off with a lot of diverse and festive artists in the open air! The party starts at 6pm.
• Rivierenhof is a Leafy, expansive green space featuring ponds, trails, play equipment & an outdoor concert venue, 20 minutes drive from Antwerp’s old town.

Midsummer Party

• Thursday, August 10th –The Draakplaats and Café Den Draak are transformed into one big party area for a Midsummer Party.
• The party starts at 5pm. Draakplaats is a 15-minute drive from the Old Town.

Saturday – The Main Parade

• Saturday, August 12th – The Antwerp Pride Parade will start at Sint-Jansplein. The parade departs at Sint-Jansplein, via the Paardenmarkt. People gather at the square from 12 noon.
• Organisers march as a group to the Paardenmarkt to board trucks and to set up the parade. The March starts at 2 pm and immediately heads to the Hessenbrug, and passes by the Hessenhuis Café.
• A little further the parade turns left on Oude Leeuwenrui and Brouwersvliet in the direction of the river Scheldt. The route then goes along the river on the Van Meterenkaai before arriving at the site of the Love United Festival and after party.
• Stay close to the parade at the Hotel Franq, rated “Excellent” by guests offering spacious designer rooms and convenient location.

The Pride Village

• Saturday 12 August, 15h – 22h to Sunday 13 August, 12h – 20h
• Find out more about Antwerp Pride partner organisations in one of the many information stalls and enjoy the summer beats.
• The Pride Village on the renovated Zuiderkaaien is a meeting place for like-minded people from within and outside the LGBTQIA+ community.
• Stay close to the Pride Village at the Boutique hotel Maison Emile, rated “Wonderful” by guests offering perfectly preparted breakfasts in a carefully restored, stately townhouse.
• Admission is free and everyone is welcome to explore our rainbow community and make new friends.

Love United Festival & Closing Festival

• Saturday 12 August to Sunday 13 August, 15h – 00h
• The main festival is held  the recently redeveloped Cockerillkaai on the south part of town alongside the river and is the official and central party hub of Antwerp Pride for the Love United Festival on Saturday and the Closing Festival on Sunday.
• Two stages will invite you to show your best moves and to party on until midnight.
• Cockerillkaai is a 12 minute drive from the Old Town.
• For a unique experience, stay at the Lit D’Art Hotel, a 4 star hotel rated “Exceptional” by guests, located close to the after party and the bars. The boutique hotel offers delicious breakfasts and sublime wellness centre.

Street Parties

• Saturday 12th to Sunday 13 August – Pride DeLux hosts two days of indoor and outdoor parties from early afternoon.
• Sunday 13th August – The DRAMA Party takes place on Sunday, from 2pm at Bonaparte featuring guest DJs and live performances.
• Sunday 13th August – Antwerp’s newest bar hosts “Crystal Queer“, a street party in one of Antwerp’s prettiest squares.
• Check out the top hotels close to the party at Grote Markt

Circuit Festivals & Parties

• Antwerp is home to some of Europe’s top gay parties. The Cargo Club hosts a weekend of parties and events including Red & Blue.
  Stay just 3 minutes from the Cargo Club, host of the biggest night parties at the Hotel Rubens-Grote Markt, rated “Fabulous” by guests with comfortable rooms and a gay-friendly welcome.
• PNKK Pride Week – August 7th to August 14th – An entire week of theme parties and events awaits in Bonaparte with Pannekoek.
• Padam Tea Dance Party – August 12th – Padam celebrates with a unique Friday night version of the famous Sunday Tea Dance.
• HIM Antwerp Pride Edition –  Saturday, August 13th – One of the most popular gay circuit events in the city featuring world class DJs, sexy dancers at IKON Antwerp from 11pm.
• Woodpop Pride Official After Party – Saturday, August 13th –Takes over the legendary Waagnatie exhibition centre, from 11pm to 5am.
• A Hard Night – Saturday, August 13th – The Boots, Antwerp’s infamous cruising club hosts a special pride party, not for the faint of heart!

Gay Antwerp

• Antwerp is famous for its beautiful historic old town centre, world-renowned diamond industry and vibrant gay scene.
• Although Antwerp’s famous pop-up gay party venues are spread out  across the city, most of the busy gay bars and restaurants are located in Antwerp city center, close to the famous Town Square (Grote Markt) and the Museum Aan de Stroom (M.A.S.).

Where to stay?

The following Antwerp hotels are currently trending with our readers:

Hotel Rubens,    Hilton Antwerp,    Hotel Julien,   Hotel Matelote