Posted in

Antwerp decked out in rainbow colours ahead of Antwerp Pride 2026

by Timothy••0

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 is once again being transformed into a sea of rainbow colours ahead of of Antwerp Pride, with rainbow flags, illuminated landmarks and decorated Velo shared bicycles appearing across the city. This year, the iconic Boerentoren will join the celebrations for the first time, illuminated in Pride colours and displaying a large Pride banner.

Antwerp Pride takes place from 5 to 9 August, with the city once again showing its support through a wide range of public displays. Rainbow flags have been installed at district halls, along the Scheldt Quays, the Meir shopping street and around the Kammenstraat, Kloosterstraat and Wilde Zee districts. Around 700 Velo shared bicycles have also been fitted with rainbow-themed stickers.

Landmarks illuminated

As in previous years, many of Antwerp’s best-known landmarks have been lit in rainbow colours using their existing lighting systems. Sites taking part include Antwerp-Central Railway Station, the Opera House, Het Steen, DIVA, the Museum Plantin-Moretus, Harmoniepark, Zuidpark, Sint-Paulusplaats, the Winter Corridor at Groen Kwartier, Kattendijkdok, the square in front of Museum At the Stream (MAS), the Port House, the Rubens House, Bourla Theatre, Schouwburg Noord, Mundo Antwerpen, and several district halls.

For the first time, the historic Boerentoren has also joined the list of illuminated Pride landmarks.

Mayor Els van Doesburg (N-VA) said: “Freedom is never something we can take for granted. It requires a society where people give each other space and treat one another with respect. That is why Antwerp is once again lighting up in rainbow colours.”

Rainbow routes across the city

Visitors can explore the illuminated locations via several dedicated Rainbow Routes designed for walking, running, cycling or scootering through the city. An official map highlights all participating locations, although visitors are also encouraged to create their own route.

‘Fearless’ theme

This year’s Antwerp Pride theme is ‘Fearless’, underlining that Pride is more than a parade. According to organisers, it represents a movement of people who have the courage to be themselves.

The city says its support for Pride reflects its ‘Everyone an Antwerp Citizen‘ (‘Iedereen Antwerpenaar‘) slogan, promoting inclusion, respect and equal treatment for all residents. Throughout Pride, visitors seeking information about discrimination or sexual harassment will be able to visit the City of Antwerp and Antwerp Police stand in Pride Village, where they can receive advice on reporting incidents, bystander intervention and support services for the LGBTQIA+ community.

Alderman for Equal Opportunities Lien Van de Kelder (Vooruit) said: “We are once again dressing our streets, squares, iconic buildings and even our shared bicycles in beautiful rainbow colours, sending a clear message: in Antwerp, everyone should be able to be themselves and love without fear. Visible, connected and fearless. Without conditions. Anyone walking through Antwerp should feel that. Every day we work towards a more inclusive city, creating safe meeting places together with organisations that strengthen, connect and give a voice to the LGBTQIA+ community. Antwerp is a safe haven for everyone, and we’re proud to shout that from the rooftops.”

MAS Darling and Red Star Line Museum

The annual MAS Darling festival returns to the MAS museum from 4 to 9 August, celebrating the diversity and strength of the LGBTQIA+ community with talks, workshops and a FLINTA party on the museum’s Boulevard. FLINTA stands for female, lesbian, intersex, non-binary, trans and agender, although all visitors are welcome.

Meanwhile, the Red Star Line Museum will also fly the rainbow flag during Pride weekend and organise an additional stroller-friendly museum tour for families with young children looking for a quieter Pride activity.

Antwerp Pride officially opens on Wednesday 5 August with an opening celebration at OLT Rivierenhof. The full festival programme is available on the Antwerp Pride website.

Antwerp Pride 2026-2027

Antwerp Queer Arts Festival 2026

Reclaim Our Pride 2026

Beyond Darklands 2027

The latest on LGBTQIA+ events such as prides in Belgium

🇧🇪 Blogger, keen vexillologist, train conductor NMBS/SNCB, traveller, F1 follower, friend of Dorothy.

Leave a Reply

To respond on your own website, enter the URL of your response which should contain a link to this post's permalink URL. Your response will then appear (possibly after moderation) on this page. Want to update or remove your response? Update or delete your post and re-enter your post's URL again. (Find out more about Webmentions.)

Discover more from Sidetrack

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading