It’s here again: the most wonderful time of the year, when the White City is covered in glitter, when rainbow flags are waving high and proud from every building and rooftop, and when the LGBTQ capital of the Middle East welcomes thousands of guests to gather in the name of love and equality. Lo and behold, a must-have list of all the can't-miss events. Sorry (not sorry) in advance for all the costume changes.
TLV FEST
This boundary-breaking film festival is a once-a-year chance to dive into the LGBTQ community, with indie, blockbuster films, and talks that raise awareness for the local community. TLVFest and Pride Week go hand in hand – a celebration of documentaries, romances and comedies from around the globe!
Screenings through Saturday, June 9. Cinemateque, 2 Shprintsak St, Tel Aviv
The Great Divas
Fancy an opera experience – without having to go all posh? Celebrate 20 years of pride with the greatest superstars of all time and the Israeli Opera. They'll be performing evergreen hits by the square next to NYX Hotel, free for the public.
June 4, 19:30-10:30. NYX Hotel, 29 HaRakevet St, Tel Aviv
Lesbians Who Tech
The third annual Lesbians Who Tech + Allies Tel Aviv Summit will bring together over 200+ queer women and gender nonconforming people (+ allies) across all areas of technology. Meet and greet with the greatest brains of our nation who’ll present their latest inventions and visions to make the world a better place.
June 7, 9:00-17:00, @ironSource offices, 12th Floor, Azrieli Sarona Tower, 121 Derech Menachem Begin Blvd, Tel Aviv
Forever Hilton Beach
The upgraded Hilton Beach will host Forever Tel Aviv for a hot beach party. The city’s official gay beach is continuing its two-week pride celebrations with a hot series of dance sessions starting at 18:00 every evening until 22:00.
Lose your dancing shoes and hit the beach barefoot. June 2-9, every night, Hilton Beach
Peacocks
Mark your calendars – the Yafo Creative Boutique Guest House is opening up a colorful group exhibition focusing on contemporary LGBTQ-related art in Israel. Jaffa’s best kept secret gallery is located in a 100 year-old Ottoman building, offering an opportunity to mingle with local artists and take in the area's striking architecture. Exhibitors: Yuval Israeli, Mati Gelman, Julien Roux, and more.
On display June 5-August 5, Yafo Creative, 33 Shivtei Israel St, 1st floor, Tel Aviv
Cross #13
Bascula is the first independent arts center-cum-modern-circus in Israel. The converted 600 square meter warehouse will become a space for three professional drag performers to bring on the crazy fun, and home for an unforgettable experience for die-hard fans of contemporary circus arts.
June 7 at 21:30. Bascula, 72 HaRakevet St, Tel Aviv
We Will Rock You
Take part in a very special screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show with a live shadow cast – and unexpected audience participation. Practice your dance moves one day before the Tel Aviv Gay Pride Parade with the sweet transvestites of transexual Transilvania.
June 7 at 21:30. 16 Rav Chen Ben Ami St, Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv Pride Parade
This uproarious annual event in its 21st (!) year starts bright and early at 10:00 in the morning, at Gan Meir. Expect the unexpected – and also plenty of music, drag shows, public speakers and activists. The parade will kick off with specially-designed floats, marching bands, uplifting anthems, and countless participants and spectators, ending in a gigantic party with the biggest stars of the local music scene.
June 8 at 10:00. Gan Meir, King George St, Tel Aviv
Offer Nissim in concert
At the official Pride concert, Israel’s favorite LGBTQ DJ-god will show off his latest hit “Love Is Bigger Than Anything In Its Way,” plus hit the decks with a spin on classics and more new releases.
June 9, 16:00-23:00, Tel Aviv Convention Center, 101 Rokach Blvd, Tel Aviv
Wigstock Drag Queen Show
An all-glittery event at the city’s gayest park, Meir Garden, featuring dozens of drag queens showcasing the incredibly creative scene of Israel’s transvestite show performers. Expect a special surprise performance by Margol, Israel’s “big mamma” of authentic Israeli music, who is often dubbed as “the local Tina Turner.”
June 6 at 19:30, Gan Meir
Gay Hip Hop at Lima
All Tel Avivians know: Monday is a Lima day - the one and only queer hip hop night of the town is a classic. Get down to Beyoncé, Li’l Wayne, TLC and more - on stage DJ Ami will play hip-hop sets all night long.
June 4 at 23:00. Lima Bar, 42 Lilienblum St, Tel Aviv
Open Your Pride at Sauna TLV
A perfect start to a perfect week begins at the latest and classiest gay club-sauna in Israel, featuring the best DJs in town for a 72-hour hot steam party.
June 4, Sauna Tel Aviv, 14 Carlebach St, Tel Aviv
Beef Parties for Bears and Fetish Kids
Beef’s men-only fetish nights are the White City’s dirtiest secrets. First DJs Sean Crazz and Ilan Leibovits will spin progressive house beats all night, then expect mega dance floor and stages, beefy fetish shows and lots of attractions and surprises to come. More from DJs Guy Scheiman, YXCHANGE, Asaf Dolev and Ivan Gomez will be on the decks all night.
Beef’s opening party: June 5, ZIZI Club, 7 Carlebach St, Tel Aviv, Beef’s Main Pride: June 7, HaOman, 88 Abarbanel St, Tel Aviv
Gay Bus by OUTStanding Travel
Enjoy a 4 hour walking tour of Tel Aviv and Jaffa, explore the highlights of this magnificent Mediterranean city and its amazing gay vibe. With this unique perspective, familiarize yourself with the hidden gems of Tel Aviv and the old city of Jaffa – offered twice throughout the Pride Week.
June 4 and June 7. Pick up point: 65 Hotel, 65 Rothschild Blvd, Tel Aviv
48 Hours, PAG Pride Techno Party
Forget about booking a room, move in to the Alphabet Club for a full weekend from Friday night until Sunday morning. If you’re looking for a hip, raunchy Berlin-esque party, PAG is where you should go. It is known for its excellent DJs and sexy queery boys. This week will feature some quality techno and house music for the dancers amongst you.
June 6-8, Alphabet Club, 54 Ahad Ha’Am St, Tel Aviv
Delicious Pride Week
Mix LGBTQ scene with Tel Aviv’s hyper- active vegan society, spice it up with love for flavors of the Middle East, and you’ll get a full day of a gay foodie event at TLV’s posh street food market, Sarona.
Pride Week, Jun 4-6, Sarona compound
Stay connected – find even more detailed listings on Tel Aviv Pride’s
official Facebook, and party listings with links for tickets on
atraf.com