PHOTOS | Rainbow lights for Antwerp Pride 2026

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.

On 31 July, the City of Antwerp announced several major and minor landmarks are being lit up in rainbow colours for Antwerp Pride. 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.

It’s not the first time Antwerp is being lit up in rainbow for pride. It has been done in 2024 and 2025. On Saturday night, 1 August, I went for a walk to photograph some of them. Not all. They’re too far apart and I can’t cycle.

I photographed the station, the Boerentoren, the castle, the MAS, the Bourla (which was not yet rainbow lit) and the Stadsschouwburg or Municipal Theatre. The Opera House also still has to receive its rainbow colours.