Various Voices, a major European festival of LGBTQI+ choirs, takes place in Brussels next month.
From 24-8 June, there are over 350 concerts are scheduled over five days in prestigious venues, including Bozar (Salle Henry Le Bœuf and Salle M).
Held every four years in a different European city, Various Voices will bring together 120 LGBTQI+ choirs and 4,000 singers from 18 countries in Brussels.
Founded in 1985 in Cologne, the festival has become a leading European event for the LGBTQI+ choral scene.
The 2026 edition is organised by non-profit organisation Various Voices Brussels 2026, which grew out of the Brussels choir Sing Out Brussels!
“Through song, Various Voices promotes a more welcoming, supportive and inclusive world,” said an event spokesman.
This is the raison d’être of the participatory project Let Your Heart Be Heard. In partnership with Bozar, the festival is organising rehearsals open to all and no prior experience is required.
Participants will learn the festival anthem, which will be performed by a giant choir during the show on 27 June at the ING Arena. Musical direction will be provided by Emily Allison.
The festival will showcase artists from Brussels’ queer community, in a programme curated by artistic director Simon Paco.
Christophe Cordier, one of the festival team, said: “Various Voices is an opportunity to celebrate our pride and make the voices of the LGBTQI+ community heard through our choirs.”
Held in the capital of the European Union, the festival will send a “powerful” message at a time when the LGBTQI+ community is seen as facing repeated attacks in many countries.
Various Voices Brussels 2026 will challenge gender norms and identities, change attitudes and raise awareness, said the spokesman.
“It is also a sharing of emotions with all audiences.”
Further comment comes from Patrick Bontinck, CEO of visit.brussels: “We are proud to support a project that combines diversity, hospitality and international reach. Various Voices Brussels 2026 reflects Brussels, as an open, creative and inclusive capital. This international event cements its reputation as a leading destination for LGBTQIA+ tourism. It’s a wonderful showcase of Brussels’ cultural richness through song.”
Each participating choir will give a 30-minute concert in one of the festival’s four venues.
These concerts take place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoons from 13:00 to 19:00.
Thursday 25 June and Friday 26 June: Bozar (Henry Le Bœuf Hall and M Hall), La Madeleine, Auditorium 490 of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts
Saturday 27 June: Bozar (Henry Le Bœuf Hall and M Hall), Cirque Royal, Auditorium 490 of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts.
A ticket for an afternoon grants access to all the concerts scheduled in each venue (around 40 concerts a day).
Every day, the festival will present a major show bringing together, on stage, several choirs and artists, centred around a single theme, under the artistic direction of Simon Paco.
Said Paco: “These shows will take us on a journey through the history of our LGBTQI+ community, celebrating its culture and championing its causes. The programme highlights the diversity of identities, artistic practices and life stories. It also reflects the festival’s European dimension.”
The shows will be presented by La Veuve and Stéphanie Coerten.
Wednesday 24 June at 18:00 and 21:00: Opening ceremony at Bozar. Featuring (among others) Esther Bouncee, Kimi Amen, Loulou Velvet…
Thursday 25 June at 18:30 and 21:00: Treachery of Images at Cirque Royal. This show will be an opportunity to “look beyond appearances and shine a light on those who remain in the shadows today.”
Friday 26 June at 18:30 and 21:00: Royalties at Cirque Royal Belgium is a kingdom “but for one evening it will be transformed into a Queer Kingdom. It’s a chance to discover the Queens, Kings, Princes and Princesses, not to mention Ballroom culture,” said the spokesman.
“It will also be an opportunity to celebrate the musical royalty who have shaped our history, featuring (among others) La Diva Live, Terata Mamé and Raoul Les Mécanique.”
Saturday 27 June at 21:00: Let Your Heart Be Heard at the ING Arena This spectacular show comes together under the European flag, uniting dozens of choirs and numerous artists in Brussels’ largest concert hall. During the evening, participants will voice our passion, particularly through the anthem Let Your Heart Be Heard. Featuring (among others) La Big Bertha, Alvilda, La Morrigasme and Lalla Rami.
Sunday 28 June at 12:00 noon and 14:45: Closing ceremony at Bozar Various Voices Brussels 2026 will be brought to a collective close and pass the baton to the choirs of Brighton in the UK, which will host the event in 2030.
A final look back at everything we have shared and everything we are yet to share.
Singing tours of the City of Brussels Town Hall
On Wednesday 24 and Sunday 28 June, mini-concerts will punctuate the guided tours of the City of Brussels Town Hall from 11:15 to 17:00.
On Friday 26 and Saturday 27 June, these musical interludes will continue as part of the tours from 15:15 to 19:00.
Bookings for guided tours of the Town Hall will be available via the ticket office: https://city-hall.ticketlive.
Concerts at the City of Brussels Town Hall
The Salle des Milices will also host several free choral concerts. These concerts are scheduled for Thursday 25 June, Friday 26 June and Saturday 27 June from 11:00 to 13:30. Mainly a cappella, these concerts will be presented in an informal setting, bringing the performers close to the audience.
Vaux Hall Summer
This event, held at Vaux Hall in Brussels Park, will feature free open-air concerts. Take part on Wednesday 24, Thursday 25, Friday 26 and Saturday 27 June from 18:00 to 20:30.
Concerts in the streets of Brussels city centre will bring the public space to life on Wednesday 24 June between 15:00 and 18:00 and on Saturday 27 June from 11:00 to 13:30.
The full festival programme is available at https://various-voices.be/
