Tel Aviv Pride March Returns After Two-Year Hiatus

Tel Aviv’s Pride March is set to take place today, Friday, for the first time in two years, after back-to-back cancellations linked to the war and security conditions. Organizers expect tens of thousands of participants as the march marks 28 years since it was founded and returns to its original route from Gordon Beach to Charles Clore Park under the slogan, “For equal rights, unity and democracy.”

The event will feature several stages along the route and performances by dozens of artists, both from the LGBTQ community and outside it, including Avihu Pinchasov, Udi Schneider, Anna Zak, Ania Bukstein, Asulin (Jay Lamotta), Gal De Paz, Dikla, Valerie Hamaty, Tipex, Yuval Raphael, Lihi Toledano, Netta Barzilai, Ivri Lider, DJ Tomer Meisner, Eden Golan, Karolina, Ran Danker, Shahar Tavoch, Shira Zloof and Tamir Gal. The march will be hosted by Lee Biran, Michael Ben David and Tal Klai, known as drag performer Talula Bonet. The main stage opens at 12:00.

The weekend celebrations will conclude on Saturday with DJ Offer Nissim’s regular party in Yarkon Park. Police are deploying more than 1,000 uniformed and undercover officers, with additional forces, as the city expects major crowds. Tel Aviv officials are urging people to use public transportation because of extensive road closures around the promenade and beach area.

Among the roads and sections being shut from morning are parts of Rokach Boulevard, Yarkon Street, Herbert Samuel Street, Kaufmann Street, Goldman Street, Eilat Street, Elifelet Street, Salame Road, Mappu Street, Frishman Street, Trumpeldor Street, Ness Ziona Street, Geula Street, Nehemiah Street and the Carmelit section. The traditional march, held in the city since 1998, was canceled in 2024 after the October 7 attacks and the ongoing war, when the city instead held a rally supporting hostage families, bereaved families and evacuees. Last year, it was called off only hours before it was due to begin, after Israel launched Operation Rising Lion against Iran.