The highly successful comeback of Marktrock in Leuven this past weekend will not see a follow-up in 2026, organisers Kat and Lyn Kerkhofs confirmed to VRT NWS on Sunday.
After a ten-year hiatus, the iconic festival made a triumphant return to Leuven’s city centre. The event was a heartfelt tribute to Kat and Lyn’s late father, Jos Kerkhofs, one of the original founders of Marktrock.
Big names like Milow, Clouseau, Selah Sue, and a DJ set by Dries Mertens alongside the cast of ‘De Callboys’ turned the festival into a resounding success. Both the bustling Oude Markt and the Vismarkt were packed with revellers, celebrating the revival of the beloved event.
Despite its success, Kat and Lyn have decided not to organise Marktrock again next year. “It was driven by passion, and turning it into a recurring commercial festival doesn’t feel right for us,” they said.
They added that the effort required to organise the event was immense. “We’re ready to focus on our careers and families for now. Maybe one day it will return, but not anytime soon,” they concluded.
