ANTWERP PRIDE 2026

This summer, Antwerp’s Cockerillkaai will host a new festival. Muziek aan ’t Water, a one-day event organised by Jada Events and Antwerp Pride, aims to attract a wide audience. On Thursday 6 August 2026, attendees can enjoy performances by Laura Tesoro and Clouseau. For Koen and Kris Wauters, this will be their only concert in Antwerp this summer.

The idea for the festival emerged from a practical consideration by the organisers. CEO Jan De Wieuw explained that the site would already be mostly set up for the Antwerp Pride festival weekend. He noted that it’s a unique location by the Scheldt, so they asked themselves how they could make the most of that infrastructure, which led to the idea of adding an extra festival day.

In addition to the logistical opportunity, financial considerations also played a role. Geert Van Praet, chair of Antwerp Pride, pointed out that they were building an entire site for Pride. By adding another event, they could spread the investment more effectively. He added that the income generated would help keep Pride free to attend over the weekend.

He emphasised that the two events were separate, with Muziek aan ’t Water being a standalone music concept for a broad audience.

The broad appeal is reflected in the line-up. The doors open at 16:00 with DJ sets, followed by a performance from Laura Tesoro. The Antwerp artist, who rose to fame through ‘The Voice van Vlaanderen‘ and later competed in the Eurovision Song Contest, will be playing on home turf and will warm up the crowd for the headline act.

Clouseau will close the evening with a full live show. The band, led by Koen and Kris Wauters, remains a staple in the Flemish music scene, and this will be their only show in Antwerp this summer. Van Praet mentioned that they were looking for an artist who appeals to multiple generations, and Clouseau has that reach and recognition.

The event will take place at Cockerillplaats, which has a capacity of 15,000 visitors. The organisers aim for a maximum of 15,000 attendees, though they stressed that the focus was not on maximum occupancy. They wanted it to remain pleasant and manageable, with enough space for people to enjoy themselves comfortably.

De Wieuw explained that they were providing covered areas, plenty of bars, and sanitary facilities. Along the waterfront, there would be a 10-metre buffer zone, and the site would be equipped with emergency exits and necessary safety measures.

The location by the Scheldt was described as a clear advantage, but it also required specific precautions.

The organisers acknowledged that the cobblestones and open space make the site sensitive to heat on summer days. They assured that this had been taken into account, with covered areas, plenty of bars, and sanitary facilities provided.

There would also be a 10-metre buffer zone along the waterfront, and the site would be equipped with emergency exits and necessary safety measures.

The doors will open on Thursday 6 August at 16:00. Laura Tesoro will perform in the early evening, followed by Clouseau, who will take the stage at 21:00 as the closing act. The festival will end at 23:00.

If the first edition is a success, the organisers of Muziek aan ’t Water hope to make it a recurring event on Antwerp’s summer calendar. Tickets cost €40 and will be available from Friday 17 April at 11:00. More information is available via the organisers’ website.

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