Opening Parade
It starts on July 9. And it starts with a bang.
From 6:00 PM, a festive opening parade winds its way through the heart of Kerkrade, marking the official start of the 75th edition of the World Music Contest. International music ensembles, Spanish wind bands, spectacular show bands and the legendary Blue Devils International come together for a parade you won't forget. On the Market Square, a défilé brings the bands up close to the crowd.
Throughout the evening, the BLOW! Stage on the Market Square keeps the energy high with performances by SLIM Vitzkids, Heavy Hoempa, Marshall Cooper and Druckluft — something for everyone.
At 10:15 PM, the moment everyone has been waiting for: the official opening ceremony. A spectacular light show and a dazzling closing performance by the Blue Devils International mark the official start of WMC 2026. Free and open to all. Come early to get the best spot.
|
6:00
PM
Opening parade begins
& BLOW! Stage opens |
10:15
PM
Official opening ceremony
with Blue Devils International |
📍 Location
Kerkrade City Centre
2.34 km through the city centre
|
🎟️ Admission
Free
Open to all — no tickets required
|
Programme
Practical information
| 📅 Date | Thursday, July 9, 2026 |
| 🕕 Start | 6:00 PM |
| 📍 Location | Kerkrade City Centre |
| 🗺️ Route | 2.34 km through the city centre |
| 🎟️ Admission | Free admission |
| # | Ensemble | # | Ensemble | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bicycle Showband Crescendo | 9 | OLS Collective | |
| 2 | Showband Takostu Stiens | 10 | Agrupación Musical Abanilla-Granja de Rocamora | |
| 3 | Maastrichtse Verkennersband | 11 | Jachthoorn en trompetterkorps Edelweis | |
| 4 | Pasveerkorps Leeuwarden | 12 | Harmonie St. Cecilia Grevenbicht | |
| 5 | Traditioneel Jachthoornkorps Garde Jagers | 13 | Societat Filhamònica Alteanense | |
| 6 | Nederlands Douane Orkest | 14 | Showband Corio | |
| 7 | Klaroenkorps Amicitia Banholt | 15 | Ratchasima Witthayalai Marching Band | |
| 8 | Klankstad orkest Kerkrade | 16 | Blue Devils International ★ |
De Blue Devils International
The Blue Devils International are one of the most iconic drum and bugle corps in the world. The American ensemble is renowned for their unrivalled combination of musical precision, acrobatics and visual spectacle — a total show that leaves audiences speechless every time.
WMC 2026 marks a European first: the Blue Devils' European tour kicks off in Kerkrade. They will open the 75th edition of the World Music Contest with their participation in the opening parade and a spectacular closing performance during the official opening ceremony at 10:15 PM.
Don't miss it.
