The lowest room rates at the time of writing are around $583, or 70,000 points per night, during the festival. Where to stay: If you book a room at the Hilton Tel Aviv, you will be staying above Tel Aviv’s semi-official gay beach, Hilton Beach. Men in Tel Aviv tend to take pride not only in their equal rights, but also in their chiseled bodies (plus, Israel is pretty hot in June) so expect to see those T-shirts flying. The main parade takes place on June 25, culminating with an afternoon blowout party by the beach. Tel Aviv is somewhat of a refuge for LGBTQ locals and travelers in the region, and the city’s main gay nightclubs all have big parties during Pride week (though cover charges vary). Beyond that, it’s arguably Tel Aviv’s best party of the year, regardless of how you identify. Tel Aviv Pride (June 6 to June 25) is the Middle East’s biggest celebration of the LGBTQ+ community. Consider this a small but significant rainbow-colored slice of the global Pride pie. Whether you’re a part of the LGBTQ+ community or an ally, there is something special about watching a city come together to celebrate love and (naturally) Pride. That said, being in just about any city during its Pride festivities can be rewarding. For example, some Pride celebrations overseas have come to great prominence in recent years, including Madrid Orgullo and Tel Aviv Pride. We’ve also featured some surprising cities that are building excitement for their events. Of course, NYC Pride - the granddaddy of them all - is included on the list. And while there are some events on this list that won’t be available for U.S.-based travelers due to travel restrictions, residents near these destinations will still be able to celebrate in person.
A number of cities have chosen to push back their Pride events to allow more time for residents to get vaccinated and restrictions to be eased, so we’re focusing on both events happening during Pride month and during the subsequent five months. More than 150 official Pride festivals and events are happening around the world in 2021. With the vaccine rollout continuing around the world, many organizers have resumed plans to hold in-person Pride events. Nearly all in-person Pride marches, demonstrations and parades were canceled or turned into virtual events because of safety considerations. The pandemic drastically altered the landscape for celebrations in 2020.
But in addition to calling attention to the LGBTQ+ community’s ongoing struggle for equal rights, Pride is also a time to celebrate diversity and inclusion. The social dimension is still there, of course, and varies by location. “Scheduling a trip around Pride is an easy way to find like-minded people, even in places that don’t have many year-round LGBTQ offerings.” “As Pride events have evolved into larger festivals, often lasting multiple days, they’ve become a magnet for travelers who want to connect with LGBTQ communities around the world and experience their celebrations,” International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association president and CEO John Tanzella told TPG. And Pride events have increasingly become a tourist draw - not just in New York, but in cities around the country and the globe that took their cues from the Big Apple.įor more travel news and advice from TPG, make sure to sign up for our daily newsletter. SMITH/AFP/Getty Images)Īs for Pride, what began as a purely social and political movement has become a mix of parades, parties and rallies over the years. The Stonewall riots in late June of 1969 in New York City’s Greenwich Village - started after a police raid on the Stonewall Inn gay bar on Christopher Street - marked a turning point for the modern gay rights movement in the United States and eventually helped launch the revolution around the world.
June is a month filled with Pride celebrations around the world because of its significance in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. It was originally published in June of 2019. Editor’s note: This post has been updated with new information.