With warmer weather on the way, the city of Brussels is kicking off Europe’s LGBTQIA+ Pride season on 20 May. Brussels is a city that embraces its queer community and the celebration of Pride. It’s expected that around 150,000 people will take part in the event.
Protect the Protest
This year, the theme of the Pride celebrations in Brussels is “Protect the Protest” – a slogan first coined by Amnesty International, Protect the Protest is a call to action to defend the fundamental right to protest, in Belgium, Europe and around the world.
Marriage Equality
Another major milestone being celebrated by Pride in Brussels this year is the 20th anniversary of Marriage Equality.
Belgium’s parliament voted in favour of Marriage Equality in 2003 – becoming the second country in the world to deliver this significant milestone for the LGBTQIA+ community.
The Pride march
The Pride march begins at 2 PM from Mont des Arts in the centre of the city, and then traverses the city.
It’s not an overly corporate march – the energy is very inclusive, with everyone invited to take part and get into the spirit of celebration while showcasing the power of diversity and equality.
The march returns to Mont des Arts at around 5 PM, where the main stage features a range of performances, showcasing queer creativity.
Pride Parade
© visit.brussels – Eric Danhier – 2019
The Rainbow village
One of our favourite things about Brussels Pride is the way that all the bars and cafes of the city’s Rainbow village – the queer neighbourhood surrounding rue du marché au charbon – bring the party out onto the street. Outdoor bars and DJs fill the streets with music and dancing.
Ambiance avant la Pride – Sfeer voor Pride – Atmosphere before Pride
© visit.brussels – Eric Danhier – 2018
A week of Pride
The celebration of LGBTQIA+ Pride in Brussels is not limited to just one day – the city embraces a week of Pride events.
Many of the city’s buildings will be illuminated in rainbow colours, and cultural institutions and community organisations are scheduling Pride-focused events and activities.
One of the landmark events that is worth checking out is the exhibition of Queer Graphics at the Design Museum. The exhibition traces the visual language of LGBTQIA+ people from the 1950s through to the present day.
The exhibition will run until November 2023 and invites us to immerse ourselves in the everyday life and activism of LGBTQI+ individuals, communities, associations and groups – reflecting an era, a history and many memories.
Make the most of your weekend in Brussels
If you’re keen to experience the nightlife of Brussels, the city’s Volume Pass is the ideal way to keep your options open and make the most of a big weekend in Brussels.
The Brussels Volume Pass gives you the opportunity to enjoy Brussels’ nightlife, for 48 hours and for only €48,. You get to jump the queues and gain unlimited entry to the 8 best clubs in Brussels.
Dive into Brussels’ nightlife and discover what makes it a top destination for partygoers, with clubs such as Bloody Louis, Mirano, Fuse, Spirito, Dyoukes, Bonnefooi, Jalousy, Fuse, and C12.
Because Brussels is a compact city that is easy to navigate, pretty much all of the nightlife options are within walking distance – your queue-jump pass ensures that maximise your time on the dance-floor.
As well as access to the city’s clubs, your Volume Pass also gives you access to cultural landmarks such as the Atomium and the Design Museum.
Find out more about Pride in Brussels
Brussels Pride will be held on 20 May 2023.
For more information, visit: www.brusselspride.eu
