The Zinneke Parade is one of Brussels’ most distinctive cultural events, transforming the city centre into a vibrant stage of creativity, music, and street theatre every two years. Created in 2000 as part of Brussels’ year as European Capital of Culture, the parade brings together residents, schools, community groups, and artists from across the capital to celebrate the city’s extraordinary diversity. Rather than relying on commercial floats or motorized vehicles, the Zinneke Parade is built through months of collaborative workshops, resulting in imaginative costumes, giant sculptures, live performances, and surreal artistic creations. The name “Zinneke” itself reflects Brussels’ multicultural identity, symbolizing people of mixed origins and backgrounds. More than a parade, it is a celebration of community spirit, inclusion, and the unique character of Brussels as a cosmopolitan European city.