Gay Pride Tel Aviv returns for its 26th week-long celebration

Following last week's thousands-strong Pride march in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv welcomes the return of its annual Pride Week. Thursday is when the main parade will take place, with thousands bringing a burst of colour, music and celebration to the streets of the city.

Festivities start at 12pm in Gan Meir Park (next to King George Street) and travel to Gordon Beach, where a carnival party will kick off from 2pm (until late). This year's international ambassador – US TV star Neil Patrick Harris, who you'll most likely know as Barney from How I Met Your Mother – will also be in attendance. "Tel Aviv has become a symbol of the openness and acceptance of the LGBTQ community on the world stage," Harris commented in a press statement. He continued: "We are honoured to take part in this beautiful celebration and to stand with the LGBTQ+ community in Israel and around the world, especially on the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots."

Other events taking place throughout Pride Week include the National Conference of the LGBT Community today (9am-4pm) at Cameri Theatre. This will be the first event of its kind in Tel Aviv and provides a platform for discussion about issues faced by members of the LGBTQ+ community in Israel and around the world.

Tomorrow there'll be an interactive screening of cult movie the Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Center of Music and on Thursday Offer Nissim will perform live alongside other acts at an all-day festival in HaYarkon Park. Plus, running until Saturday 29 June at Abraham Hostel is Sigal Miller’s exhibition Touch Me, which utilizes a mix of oil and charcoal to portray cross-gender relationships and emotions.

By Danielle Goldstein

Find out about all the Tel Aviv Pride events taking place on the Tourist Israel website, where you'll also find a beginners' guide to gay Tel Aviv, featuring the best clubs, bars, beaches and more in the city’s gay community.