Experience

First Mechelen Canal Pride on Saturday 25 July

Posted by Timothy on

Mechelen will make Belgian LGBTQIA+ history on Saturday 25 July 2026 when it hosts the country’s first-ever Canal Pride. Inspired by Amsterdam‘s famous canal parade but on a much smaller scale, the event will see decorated boats and canoes travel along the city’s Binnendijle waterway in a celebration of diversity, visibility and inclusion.

The initiative is organised by the Homo- en Lesbiennewerking Mechelen (HLWM), which has supported the local LGBTQIA+ community for more than four decades, in partnership with the City of Mechelen. Organisers describe the event as a Pride for everyone, welcoming local residents, visitors, families, friends and allies.

A first for Belgium

Mechelen Canal Pride is the first Pride event in Belgium to take place on the water, if you discount the NaviGAYtion party cruises by Red & Blue on the Scheldt in Antwerp in the first decade of the 21st century. 

Vincent De Coninck of HLWM said the organisation deliberately chose to keep the inaugural edition modest in scale. While comparisons with Amsterdam are inevitable, he stressed that the atmosphere rather than the size is what organisers hope to emulate.

The parade will depart promptly at 14:00 from the Haverwerf and follow a route through the heart of Mechelen, passing the Keerdok before continuing towards the Kruidtuin and returning to the Haverwerf. The flotilla will consist of two decorated party boats and 18 colourful canoes carrying a maximum of 140 participants.

According to De Coninck, one of HLWM’s members, who lives along the River Dijle, came up with the idea of creating a canal-based Pride after seeing similar events abroad.

Music on the water

Music will accompany the parade throughout the afternoon. DJ Kat will provide the soundtrack from the boats, while one of the party boats will feature a drag queen performing during the cruise.

After the parade, celebrations will continue on land with an open-air Pride party at the Haverwerf from 16:00. DJ Kat will remain behind the decks and organisers have also promised a surprise performance.

From 19:00 onwards, participants can continue celebrating during the official afterparty at HLWM’s Babbelkroeg on Steenweg 32 in Mechelen’s city centre.

Celebrating progress while remaining vigilant

Organisers say the Canal Pride is intended as a positive celebration, while also recognising that LGBTQIA+ rights cannot be taken for granted.

Koen Nijs of HLWM noted that although many rights have been won over recent decades, developments in several other countries show that those achievements can be rolled back. He said the Canal Pride is therefore both a celebration of the community’s progress and a reminder of the importance of protecting equality, while above all promoting gratitude, inclusion and visibility.

Strong local support

The organisers say the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Residents living along the Binnendijle have already indicated they plan to decorate their terraces for the occasion, while the City of Mechelen has actively supported the initiative.

Mechelen’s Alderman for Diversity, Abdrahman Labsir (Anders), said the city wants to place greater emphasis on initiatives that emerge from the community itself rather than relying solely on symbolic gestures. He described the Canal Pride as an example of an event with strong grassroots support and praised the enthusiasm of the volunteers behind it.

Tickets still available

People wishing to watch the parade can do so free of charge from the quays along the Binnendijle.

Those wanting to take part on the water can still reserve places aboard the boats or in the canoes. Individual places cost €10, while an entire three-person canoe can be hired for €30. Organisers are encouraging participants to wear colourful clothing, wave rainbow flags and help transform Mechelen’s waterways into a vibrant celebration of diversity.

The latest on LGBTQIA+ events such as prides in Belgium

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