Israel to host "largest-ever" Middle East LGBTQ+ festival at the Dead Sea

Israel is set to host what organisers describe as the "largest LGBTQ+ event" ever staged in the Middle East, with a four‑day festival planned at the Dead Sea later this year.

The event, known as Pride Land, is scheduled to take place from 1 - 4 June 2026 in the Judean Desert, transforming the area around Ein Bokek into a temporary “Pride City” featuring hotels, performance venues and cultural spaces operating around the clock.

According to organisers, the festival will include 15 hotels, beach complexes, art installations and a central performance arena, alongside a programme of music, parties, exhibitions and family‑friendly activities. The aim, they say, is to create a continuous 24‑hour experience rather than a single parade or one‑day celebration.

Aaron Cohen, the festival’s lead producer, described Pride Land as a major step forward for LGBTQ+ visibility in the region.

“This is not just another festival - it’s the biggest thing we’ve done here,” he told the Jerusalem Post, adding that the organisers had invested millions of pounds to build a fully functioning temporary city in the desert.

The line‑up is expected to feature prominent Israeli artists, including Dana International, Harel Skaat and Ivri Lider, alongside DJs and performers from the country’s LGBTQ+ community.

Festival organisers say the event is designed to complement rather than replace Tel Aviv Pride, which is scheduled to return in mid‑June 2026 after cancellations in recent years due to security concerns.

The announcement comes amid continued regional instability and ongoing travel advisories. As of April 2026, the UK Foreign Office continues to advise against all travel to Israel and the Palestinian territories, citing security concerns.