Experience

Limburg Pride 2026 remains in Hasselt and places every family at the centre

Posted by Timothy on

While Limburg Pride planned to switch host cities in the province of Limburg in Belgium, it will remain in the provincial capital Hasselt for the 2026 edition. ‘One Family, Many Colours‘ is the theme of the next edition. 

The second edition, which will take place again in Hasselt on 12 July, wants to celebrate all forms of family: both the families you are born into and the families many LGBTQIA+ people choose for themselves. They want to emphasise that everyone has the right to a home, warmth and the feeling of being welcomed into a family.

After last summer’s successful first edition, with more than 17,000 visitors, a follow-up was inevitable. Next year, between 20,000 and 25,000 spectators are expected, and the parade will be larger. 

It was truly a surprise, says chair Bert Brone to Gaylive.be, looking back on the first Limburg Pride. It is especially remarkable what they managed to achieve with such a small team. Seventeen thousand visitors for a first edition was overwhelming. There were no incidents either, which is fantastic for a debut. They saw nothing but happy faces and received very positive feedback.

Intergenerational connection

The new edition will place stronger emphasis on intergenerational connection. Within the queer community, it unfortunately still happens that LGBTQIA+ people are rejected by their families after coming out. Many then look within the community for a new family to build their lives with, to share experiences and to support one another. 

Limburg Pride wants to highlight these warm networks of care, friendship and solidarity next year, along with all forms of family that add colour to life. With ‘One Family, Many Colours’ they highlight what connects people, says Bert Brone. Pride is more than a parade; it is a feeling of coming home. In 2026, they want everyone visiting Limburg Pride to feel that they belong.

Broad definition

The theme is being developed broadly. Not only traditional families are highlighted, but also chosen families: friends who become each other’s home, drag houses that connect generations, foster parents, grandparents, colleagues or neighbours who support one another. 

Limburg Pride wants to show how diverse and resilient family can be, from bloodlines to lifelines. 

The work is deliberately intergenerational. Age does not really play a role. At the previous edition they saw families with young children, many older people and quite a few seniors. In the end, everyone is the same. 

Within Limburg Pride, they work towards normalising LGBTQIA+ in society. Intergenerationality is important to them because they want to involve both young and old. They do not focus on just one age group: LGBTQIA+ includes everyone.

Parade

The most visible part of Pride in Hasselt remains the parade on the small ring road, followed by performances on Kolonel Dusartplein. The village will be expanded, says Brone. 

The family-friendly character remains central, and they are going to emphasise that even more. The festival will stay roughly the same size, but they will pay much more attention to the parade so that it becomes significantly longer.

In the week leading up to Limburg Pride, the theme will also be brought to life through a series of activities focused on meeting others, wellbeing and creativity. 

Limburg Pride is putting extra focus on arts and culture, with exhibitions, performances and artistic projects about family and connection, ranging from intimate portraits to colourful community art. 

Visitors will also be able to take part in intergenerational gatherings, creative workshops and storytelling moments about what family means today.

The latest on LGBTQIA+ events such as prides in Belgium

Leave a comment