Those regularly walking through the city centre have probably already seen the rainbow flags on display over Boulevard Anspach: a sure sign that Brussels Pride has started.

While Wednesday 7 May marked the start of Brussels Pride Week with an intersectional and militant celebration, the main events take place over the coming week – in the run-up to the Pride Parade on Saturday 17 May.

"Brussels opens the European Pride season. Organisers are expecting some 180,000 people to take to the streets of the capital to defend their rights and celebrate diversity."

During Pride Week, associations, activists and artistic collectives will be presenting a rich programme in a dozen venues. For ten days, the public will be treated to concerts, screenings, performances and workshops. In all, there will be around 60 events focusing on themes dear to the LGBTQ+ community.

'Protect our rights'

This year, the theme chosen by activists from the Brussels-Capital Region's umbrella organisation for LGBTQ+ associations, RainbowHouse Brussels, is 'Unite, time to protect our rights'.

In 2025, Brussels Pride is launching a call to unite in defence of the rights, freedoms, health, identity, diversity, sense of self and struggles of the community. "The Belgian, European and global political landscape is increasingly threatening the rights of the LGBTQ+ community through bans and threats."

Pride is an opportunity to peacefully remind politicians of the importance of defending these rights and the need for governments to act in accordance with international human rights conventions, the organisation stressed.

"The LGBTQ+ community still, all too often, suffers from violence and discrimination, whether physical, verbal, online, in their daily lives, in private and public spaces," they said. "We need to unite, across our differences, across generations, across Belgian and European borders, to protect each other."

Credit: Brussels Pride

The organisation aims to raise awareness among all citizens and institutions – whether governmental and/or cultural – of the need to respect each person's fundamental rights.

On Thursday 15 May, the Mini Pride parade will take to the streets of the Saint-Jacques district to mark the start of the Brussels Pride weekend festivities.

Two days later, the main event will take place: on Saturday 17 May, Brussels Pride will drape the city's streets in the colours of the rainbow. Starting at 14:30, the Pride March will set off from Mont des Arts and take to the streets of the city centre, passing not far from the famous Saint-Jacques district.

"Its aim is to celebrate diversity, tolerance and acceptance of all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity." Delegations from Hungary, Serbia, Italy and Romania will be represented.

This year, the march will be chanting loud and clear the Brussels Pride theme "unite, time to protect our rights", promoting a society where everyone's fundamental rights are respected, each and every day. "This year, a new official Brussels Pride float will be making an appearance."

Safer Pride

To ensure that everyone can enjoy the event in the best possible conditions and in complete safety, Brussels Pride will be rolling out a 'Safer Pride' scheme throughout the day.

In practical terms, a Safer Zone will be set up at a strategic location on Mont des Arts. This will be a calm space staffed by volunteers and trained professionals to provide a sympathetic ear and psycho-social or medical support if needed.

A mobile 'SACHA Care Team' will also be deployed around Pride. This essential scheme is being organised with the support of Solidaris and is the result of collaboration between Plan SACHA (an initiative to combat harassment and assault), Modus Vivendi (prevention of the risks associated with drug use by informing and empowering consumers), volunteers from sexual violence care centres (CPVS), RainbowHouse and teams from visit.brussels.

As in previous years, associations and institutions will be joining in the festivities. The associations will be informing the public about their fight and the latest issues facing community rights at both national and international levels.

Credit: Brussels Pride

Meanwhile, institutions will be demonstrating their support for the community and their initiatives in favour of a more inclusive and safer society for all.

Belgian LGBTQ+ and ally artists will be gracing the stage at Mont des Arts. The line-up promises to be a memorable one, and includes Red D feat. Lady Linn & Gustaph, Colt, Essyla, Rokia Bamba, Potiche meets Cabaret Mademoiselle and the ever-present Edna Sorgelsen and Susan From Grindr.

The Brussels Rainbow Village and its LGBTQ+ establishments, located in the capital's central Saint-Jacques district, will be providing the atmosphere on the streets of the city centre throughout the weekend. DJs and artists will also be performing in the neighbourhood.

In all, some 100 partners, associations and artists will be contributing to the fight for a more open and tolerant society. Finally, in the week leading up to Brussels Pride, a host of buildings across the Brussels-Capital Region will be illuminated and decorated in the colours of the rainbow flag.

Brussels Pride is an opportunity to celebrate diversity but also to defend and demand rights for LGBTQ+ people, with a view to making society fairer and more inclusive. Apart from its festive aspect, Brussels Pride is, more than ever, an opportunity to assert the rights of the community and reopen the political debate.

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