The Best Gay Circuit Parties: Lets get into the gay circuit party scene, it’s a scene I was a little apprehensive about but one that has led to me having so many friends around the world that I can visit or travel with – yes, the gay circuit scene can indeed be wholesome!
In my guide to the best gay circuit parties around the world, I want to share some of the gay circuit parties I have been to, as well as some of the other well known gay circuit parties that are still on my list but have been recomended by friends.
First things first, a question I get often….what is a gay circuit party?
What is a Gay Circuit Party?
A gay circuit party is typically a large scale event/party with international DJs, amazing dancers and (if it’s a good one) incredible staging and production.
Gay circuit parties attract thousands of predominantly gay men for either one off events, or week-long circuit festivals with parties every day and night.
Imagine a gay super club, double it, with everyone wearing typically very little, get the music pumping, the staging up, add some fireworks and you are looking at a gay circuit party.
When it’s done right, a gay circuit party should be an experience and an event!
They have become an well known part of gay culture for many and some double up as fundraising events for LGBTQ charities.
Who goes to a Gay Circuit Party?
One of the attractions to these parties is that many gay guys follow these parties around the world and with that comes a sense of community seeing familiar faces at each event.
I have found this to be true and it’s always nice to bump into past acquaintances as well as make some new ones. And now when I visit places like New York or Chicago or other places around the world, I already have friends I can hang out with
Everyone is welcome to these parties; however, you will find that the attendees are predominantly gay men and if you believe the pictures, everyone has a six pack and ‘that body’ which can be intimidating.
Whilst it is true that there is a high proporation of gays with that sterotypical image at these gay circuit parties – I have seen all shapes and sizes, all wearing whatever they want, having fun and dancing the night away: I think it is great to celebrate body diversity and encourage everyone to go for it!
What to wear to a Gay Circuit Party?!
Most people wear shorts, swimwear or themed festival style outfits depending on the events. My go to more recently is basically what I wear to the gym just to be comfortable.
Fundamentally, you can just wear whatever makes you feel good and comfortable and there is no judgement. This is one of the things I really love about these sorts of events.
It is also common for there to be themes such as white party themes or army themes etc.
Here are some easy options to pick up from amazon.com for your next gay circuit party:
- White UV body paint
- Adidas Originals white socks
- Adidas white high tops(these are quite cheap so if they ruined it’s not so bad).
- Camo style speedos
- Adidas black high tops
Best Gay Circuit Parties Worldwide
Lets get into my list of the best gay circuit parties worldwide, starting with one of my favorites:
Barcelona Circuit Festival (Spain)
Starting my gay circuit party list strong with one of my favorites in terms of event and destination, Barcelona Circuit Festival is quite something.
For just over a week each August Circuit Barcelona (by the Matinee Group) attracts thousands of guys from all over the world for one of the biggest gay circuit parties around with over 70,000 visitors!
One of the most well known and unique events for Circuit Barcelona is the Waterpark party – a full circuit party at the local Waterpark, it is incredible to see!
Party hard through the night and then spend the day chilling on the gay beach in Barcelona of the nearby (super gay) gay beach in Sitges.
Top Tip: Tuesday for the Waterpark, Thursday day and night, Saturday day and night and maybe Sunday night should be your focus days – those are the best ones.
Xlsior Mykonos (Greece)
Perhaps one of the most well-known gay circuit parties worldwide, Xlsior Mykonos started in 2009 on the beautiful and super gay island of Mykonos.
Xlsior Mykonos runs for a full week in August with day time and night time circuit parties throughout, from pool parties at beach clubs to huge open-air stages.
The scale of the parties, the production value, the guys, the gay bars in Mykonos and the island itself are all out of this world.
If you want a circuit party with style, check out Xlsior Mykonos.
Top Tip: there is no escaping or denying this is an expensive one, budget accordingly.
Arena Festival Mexico
Imagine everything we have described but the main party of the week is held deep in the jungle surrounded by beautiful cenotes!
Arena is Mexico’s biggest gay and lesbian dance music festival, and celebrates each year in Playa del Carmen right on the Riviera Maya for a full week.
Like most gay circuit parties, you can expect to see dancers, drag performers, fire acts, incredible decorations and stylish venues. The organisers really go to town to make sure that you are wowed!
Each day/night is normally hosted by one of the other big names such as Xlsior or WE Party Madrid.
For more on Plays del Carmen, check out my ‘Gay Guide to Playa del Carmen‘.
WE Party Madrid (Spain)
Madrid is one of my favourite gay destinations in Europe with some of the best gay nightlife, add in the WE Party group to the mix and you are in for a real treat.
Each year, WE Party holds a week-long mix of circuit party events during Madrid Pride (July) and then a big WE New Year Festival in December to finish off the year.
With stunning go-go dancers, entertainment, LED screens, the latest sound and lighting systems all hosted in the best clubs of Madrid, this is a circuit event like none other.
Circuit Festival Asia
Circuit Festival Asia is co-produced by the creators of White Party Bangkok and Circuit Festival Barcelona.
This gay circuit party started in 2018 and is hosted over 3-4 days in the notoriously hedonistic beach destination of Pattaya, Thailand.
Like Circuit Barcelona, Circuit Festival Asia boasts a gay Waterpark Day party, beach party, the best international DJs on the scene and thousands of Circuit partygoers ready to have the hottest vacation of their lives.
URGE Miami
From Friday through to Sunday, URGE Miami delivers a scheudule of huge circuit parties with the likes of Guapo party (which you will see go around the world) and finishing with URGE party on the Sunday.
Make sure you also spend some time at the gay beach in Miami during this circuit party, it will be a party unto itself!
G Circuit Songkran (Bangkok, Thailand)
The G Circuit Songkran is held in Bangkok in April for the Thai New Year (aka the Songkran Festival), featuring 3 huge circuit events and two pool parties, attracting thousands of guys from around the world.
The festival started back in 2007 and with Thailand being one of the best gay travel destinations in Asia, it’s no surprise this has become one of Asia’s biggest gay circuit parties!
One Magical Weekend (Orlando, USA)
Held at Walt Disney World Orlando, this is a venue like no other!
With hot pool parties, events held with over 6000 gay guys dancing away at Disney’s entire 52-acre fantasy water park and late-night parties at other nearby venues, One Magical Weekend sure lives up to its name!
La Demence (Brussels, Belgium)
La Demence is a one of the longest running gay circuit parties around and has been going for over 30 years.
This huge gay party in Brussels takes place around 12 times a year with the biggest events being around pride.
The party attracts visitors from all over Europe and beyond, it’s this international and diverse crowd with everyone from leather guys to twinks that makes La Demence so popular.
La Demence is normally held at a club called FUSE which offer multiple rooms for different tastes including, like many places in Europe, has many other areas to explore.
The brand of La Demence also run an annual gay cruise.
BONUS: Atlantis Gay Cruise
Not an official gay circuit party as such, but has all of the elements of a gay circuit party every day and night with, undoubtedly the best gay parties we have ever attended anywhere in the world.
I have a guide for First Timers on the Atlantis Gay Cruise here.
We hope to see you at one of these parties as we tick each off our list!
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