Tel-Aviv Gay Pride Parade

The Tel Aviv Gay Pride Parade: Celebrating Equality in the White City

One of the most free-thinking cities in the Middle East, Tel Aviv annually celebrates equality and diversity with the Tel Aviv Gay Pride Parade. Serving as a vehicle for the city’s LGBT community to come together and celebrate, the event has emerged as the biggest Gay Pride event in the entire region.

A brief history of the Tel Aviv Gay Pride Parade

The inaugural Tel Aviv Gay Parade was held in 1997, marking the first time a city in Israel has hosted such an event. Thousands of people attended the parade, giving the gay community the opportunity to speak out against sexual inequality. Due to its popularity, the parade was soon established as an annual event. While the early parades were politically charged, later parades would become less “full-on”, with fun being emphasized over conflict. By the 2010s, festivities had been extended to a full week, with the Pride Parade serving as Pride Week’s marquee event. In 2011, no fewer than 100,000 people attended the parade, a number that would continue to rise. In 2015, 180,000 attendees were said to have been present at the event, with many having traveled from around the globe.

Tel Aviv’s biggest beach party

The Tel Aviv Gay Pride Parade commences in Me’ir Park, winds its way through the Tel Aviv streets, before culminating at Charles Clore Park. While the parade may come to its conclusion, festivities certainly do not. At the end of the parade route is one of Tel Aviv’s picturesque white sand beaches, but on this day sunbathing and swimming are replaced by the city’s biggest beach party featuring live musical performances, street performers, and plenty of drinks on offer to the throngs of people making their way to party late into the night.

Gay pride all year long

In Tel Aviv, gay pride isn’t limited to gay pride week. The gay-friendly city welcomes the LGBT community 365 days (and nights) a year. The city features gay-friendly beaches, including Hilton Beach. You’ll also find gay saunas, play bars, and more. When it comes to Tel Aviv gay nightlife, there’s no shortage of venues to visit, including bars and nightclubs. Popular LGBT destinations in Tel Aviv include: Shpagat (Nachlat Binyamim St.), Apollo (Allenby St.), Evita (Yavne St.), and Q-Hotel (Ha’arba’a 10), amongst others.

The 2017 Tel Aviv Gay Pride Parade is scheduled for June 9.

Tel Aviv Herods offers convenient accommodations for travelers looking to attend the Tel Aviv Gay Pride Parade and related events. Find out more: