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O-Parade

Genk's vibrant two-hour visual street parade on Labour Day that draws thousands into the city each year.

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Marketing angleinferred

Leverage Genk's Labour Day parade as a high-traffic local event to drive foot traffic, hospitality bookings, and retail sales during peak visitation.

Relevance 45medium intent
  • Countdown to O-Parade: Plan your Labour Day visit to Genk's iconic street spectacle
  • Behind-the-scenes parade prep and float design stories
  • Local business spotlights: Where to eat, shop, and stay during O-Parade weekend
  • Live parade coverage and attendee experiences on social media
Programme

The O-parade is a two-hour visual spectacle that attracts thousands of visitors annually, featuring approximately 30 national and international groups with street theater acts and mobile creations. On May 1, the centre bustles all day with a flea market, farmers market, carnival, and the iconic O-parade. The 2026 edition drew 65,000 visitors , making it a significant Belgian street festival.

Line-up
Te lo digo bailando (Spain) – debut in Belgium with new costumesGruppo Folkloristico Pavulese (Italy) – celebrating 80 years of Italian community in GenkLa Fam (Spain) – spectacle with large dragon (Quimera) performanceCompagnie CPPP (France) – new creation "Ulysee," large boat with acrobats (world premiere)Local groups: Free Run Wild Belgium (mobile creation), Balletschool Capriccio (May Queens float), Ge-team, GIGOS, Die Landouwe, balloon artist Sofie Vandeweyer (toy story performance)Live music: Koninklijk Harmonieorkest Waterschei Zwartberg, Groot Genker Orkest, international drum corps

Part 1

7:00–13:00

Part 2

Flea market (Rommelmarkt)

Part 3

8:00–14:00

Part 4

Farmers market (Jaarmarkt) with market opening ceremony by Groot Genker Orkest at 11:15

Part 5

10:00–11:00

Part 6

Eucharist service with musical accompaniment by Koninklijk Harmonieorkest Waterschei Zwartberg

Part 7

12:00 onwards

Part 8

Carnival (Kermis) and live acts in artists' village

Part 9

13:30–14:45

Part 10

International military band taptoe (Internationale taptoe) with music corps

Part 11

16:00–18:00

Part 12

69th O-parade procession through city center streets

Part 13

22:00

Part 14

Sound-dampened fireworks finale

Part 15

Friday, May 1, 2026 (Labour Day)

  • Parade of ~30 national and international acts with street theater, costumes, and mobile installations over 2 hours
  • International performers from Italy, Spain, France, Netherlands bringing stilt walkers, 5+ meter-high creations, and acrobats
  • Unique 2026 feature: large boat with acrobats by French company CPPP (world premiere in Genk)
  • Full-day celebration: flea market (7–13h), farmers market (8–14h), taptoe/military bands (13:30–14:45h), carnival from 12h, fireworks at 22h
  • Free entry
  • 125,000 total visitors across all activities
  • sound-dampened fireworks finale
  • Local participation: Genk associations create floats and perform alongside international acts
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