Festival's logo. Fun in the sun in the Tel Aviv winter
Photo courtesy of Tel Aviv Municipality and Tourism Ministry
Tel Aviv kicks off winter pride festival
'Nonstop Summer' festival, which runs through January 7, includes free tours of city, street parties and a variety of cultural events.
Tel Aviv's winter pride festival,
"Nonstop Summer," kicked off this week in a festive Hanukkah candle lighting ceremony in the presence of Mayor Ron Huldai.
The group EuroFlash will give a spectacular performance of Eurovision favorites as part of Eurovision Night Show on Saturday, December 27, together with lots of humor and flamboyant costumes.
The festival, which runs through January 7, includes a series of events across the city, many of them free of charge.
Proud Visitors
Hotels nearly triple room prices as tens of thousands flock to Israeli metropolis for week-long series of events.
According to the Visit Tel Aviv website, the festival will be a "dynamic mix of street parties, events, fun in the sun on Tel Aviv's gay beach and opportunities to make new friends and have a good time."
The festival is based at the Tel Aviv Gay Center in Meir Park, where visitors will find helpful information, courses, lectures, a café, counseling and cultural events.
Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai lights menorah (Photo: Yaron Brener)
Internationally acclaimed film "Walk on Water" – written by Gal Uchovsky, directed by Eytan Fox and starring Lior Ashkenazi – will be screened on Sunday, December 28.
On January 2-3, the festival presents the world premiere of "Shakespeare R&J," in which a group of four yeshiva students break away from their Talmudic studies to explore the tale of Romeo and Juliet.
A chill-out beach party will he held at Hilton Beach on December 26-28 and January 2-4 between 10 am to 6 pm. Entry is free of charge.
In addition, a variety of English-language tours – including a visit to Jaffa's old city, a Bauhaus tour, a night tour and an art and architecture tour – are being offered across the city, free of charge. All tours require preregistration.
A bicycle tour of the city is offered for NIS 120 (about $31).
Tel Aviv Councilman Yaniv Weizman, who is in charge of the LGBT community portfolio in the municipality, told Ynet, "I welcome the Tourism Ministry and Tel Aviv Municipality's initiative to advance gay tourism during the winter months as well.
"Tel Aviv-Jaffa has a lot to offer throughout the year, and I believe that the winter pride events will become a wonderful tradition."
