Leuven Pride gathers on the Ladeuzeplein and walks through the middle of the city, under the motto trots, zichtbaar en vastberaden, proud, visible and determined. This is the third edition. The organisers call it a walk rather than a parade, with no floats and no VIPs, only the people who turn up.
The day runs to a published timetable. Gathering starts at 15:00 on the Ladeuzeplein, the walk sets off at 16:00 and is back on the square around 17:30, where the Pride Show begins. Music follows until 21:00, and the closing party at Het Depot opens its doors at the same hour. Toilets and a drinking water point on the square are free. There are bars and food trucks on location.
Accessibility is worked out rather than asserted. The walk keeps a manageable pace, and because the Leuven cobbles defeat a wheelchair in places there is a pickup point where you can join for a shorter and easier stretch. One accessible toilet stands on the square and another at the halfway point. The area in front of the stage is kept for people in wheelchairs, people who need to sit and people who need to see the interpreter, and the Pride Show is interpreted into Flemish Sign Language and presented in Dutch and English. Anyone who needs help along the way can write to the organisers beforehand.
The route is published only a few days in advance. The organisers give the threat of counter-protests as the reason.
An opening debate at the
UniQue Regenbooghuis, on staying safe online and on the street, and a coffee and cake gathering there afterwards bracket the main day.
Leuven is a university town about twenty five kilometres east of Brussels.
The pictures and videos shown here are from the 2025 Leuven pride.
