Antwerp Pride Parade Draws Record 170,000 Attendees

A record 170,000 people flocked to Antwerp on Saturday for the city’s Pride Parade, marking the largest turnout in the event’s 19-year history and delivering a powerful message of solidarity just two weeks after the deadly attack on the Pride festival in Berlin. According to VRT NWS, the previous record stood at approximately 150,000 attendees in 2025.

The colorful procession, which featured 82 delegations and 33 parade floats, set off at 14:00 from the Brouwersvliet and wound its way along the Scheldekaaien through the heart of the city. The parade concluded with the Love United Festival at the end of the route.

A Theme Born of Defiance

This year’s Antwerp Pride adopted the theme “Fearless” — a choice that gained profound resonance following the July 25 attack in Berlin, when a man drove a van into a crowd at the German capital’s Christopher Street Day festival, killing one woman and injuring 29 others. The suspect, a 21-year-old German of Lebanese origin from the Islamist milieu, was later shot dead by police.

“It’s an absolute top edition,” said Wilfried Eetezonne, spokesperson for Antwerp Pride, speaking to VRT NWS. “Our Pride is more important than ever. With what happened in Berlin, this is extra support and shows there’s a broad base of support for our community.”

Participants echoed that sentiment along the route. “Pride is more important than ever,” said David, who walked for Bruges Pride. “It’s a protest, but at the same time a gigantic party. After what happened in Berlin, that’s all the more important.” Spectator Soetkin added: “What happened in Berlin is heartbreaking. We must keep fighting for the LGBTQ+ community.”

The community’s determination was palpable in the days leading up to the parade. “What happened in Berlin touches us deeply, but fear must never prevail,” said Kat Van Nuffel, chair of Het Roze Huis, the Antwerp LGBTQ+ community organization. “People refuse to be intimidated and realize that by being visible together they send a powerful signal.”

Security Measures Heightened

Following the Berlin attack, Antwerp police implemented additional security measures for the parade, though officials emphasized that no increased threat level had been identified. Belgium’s threat analysis body, OCAD, saw no elevated risk for the event.

“At such a large city event, we can’t possibly rule out every risk, because we can’t hermetically seal off the streets,” said Wouter Bruyns, Antwerp police spokesperson. “We are extra present and will intervene immediately if anything is suspicious.”

Antwerp Pride chair Geert Van Praet had earlier reassured the public that the Berlin attack appeared to be an isolated case. “Come out on the street and don’t let yourself be intimidated,” he urged in the aftermath of the attack.

A City Bathed in Rainbow Colors

In the lead-up to the parade, Antwerp transformed itself into a sea of rainbow colors. For the first time, the iconic Boerentoren tower was illuminated in rainbow hues with a Pride banner, joining landmarks including the Opera House, Antwerp Central Station, Het Steen, the MAS, and the Havenhuis. The city also decorated 700 Velo shared bikes with rainbow flag stickers, as detailed in the City of Antwerp press release.

“Freedom is never self-evident,” said Els van Doesburg, Acting Mayor of Antwerp. “It requires a society in which people give each other space and treat each other with respect. That’s why we color Antwerp in rainbow colors again.”

Lien Van de Kelder, Antwerp Alderman for Equal Opportunities, added: “We wrap our streets, squares, iconic buildings and even shared bikes in beautiful rainbow colors and send a clear message: in Antwerp, everyone can be themselves and love without fear. Visible, connected and fearless. Without conditions.”

A Growing Movement

The record turnout continues a remarkable trajectory of growth for Antwerp Pride, which has expanded from roughly 60,000-90,000 attendees in 2018 to approximately 90,000 in 2019, 140,000 in 2023, and 150,000 in both 2024 and 2025, according to Wikipedia. The event, which began in 2008, has become one of Europe’s largest Pride celebrations.

Among the participants was 102-year-old Maria Thijs from care center Arthur, who rode in the parade with rickshaw riders. “I feel so much love here,” she said. “Everyone is laughing and happy, it’s wonderful.”

The parade was broadcast live across multiple platforms, including Pickx+, Proximus Showcase, VTM GO, GoPlay, and various newspaper websites, reaching over 550,000 Flemish viewers last year, as reported by TAGMAG.

Challenges Ahead

Despite the celebratory atmosphere, the event’s organizers face significant financial headwinds. Geert Van Praet warned that the organization’s costs have risen from 330,000 euros in 2022 to over 924,000 euros in 2026, including approximately 400,000 euros for festival ground rental. “This is a cry for help,” he said. “If it rained today, we wouldn’t cover our costs and there would be no parade next year. We are much too fragile in relation to the weather. Our festival grounds are all outdoors.”

The event also carries a deeper purpose beyond celebration. “Pride remains a demonstration,” said Marcia Poelman of the Antwerp Queer Arts Festival. “It’s not the same as the Bollekesfeesten. We remember where we come from and want to fight for rights we haven’t yet acquired.”

Prime Minister Bart De Wever, speaking ahead of the parade, invited everyone to participate: “I invite everyone to celebrate along and not let themselves be intimidated,” he said, as reported by VRT NWS.

What’s Next

The 19th edition of Antwerp Pride concludes on Sunday, August 9, with a closing festival. As the rainbow flags come down and the city returns to its usual rhythm, the record-breaking turnout serves as a powerful statement: in the face of violence and intimidation, the LGBTQ+ community and its allies remain visible, connected, and fearless.

The challenge now lies in sustaining this momentum. With rising costs threatening the event’s future, organizers will need continued support from the city, regional and federal governments, and the public to ensure that Antwerp’s Pride Parade can continue to grow — and to send its message of fearlessness for years to come.