Cherry Grove’s historical significance in queer culture is profound. Since the early 20th century, it has provided a rare refuge where LGBTQ+ people could express themselves openly—decades before such freedom was possible in most American cities . The Grove’s legacy includes welcoming transgender people, lesbians, gay men, bisexual, and non-binary visitors, fostering a culture of acceptance that endures today. The area’s architectural quirks—mid-century cottages, wild gardens, and wooden boardwalks—speak to a community built by and for LGBTQ+ people.

In 2025, local organizations have undertaken new efforts to honor this history. The Cherry Grove Archives Collection, for example, recently digitized decades of photographs and oral histories, making them accessible to visitors and researchers alike . Guided walking tours, offered on select weekends, showcase sites pivotal to LGBTQ+ rights and artistic expression—an initiative praised by The Advocate for its intergenerational bridge-building .

While Cherry Grove’s summer traditions—like the Invasion of the Pines and high-energy drag shows at the Ice Palace—remain legendary, the community has recently expanded its calendar to attract off-season travelers. In fall and winter 2025, Cherry Grove has introduced a series of queer-led wellness retreats, artist residencies, and community potlucks. The revitalization of the Cherry Grove Community House, a National Register landmark, has enabled year-round performances, including queer theater, music, and storytelling nights .

Local restaurants and bars, like Island Breeze and the Blue Whale, now remain open on weekends through much of the shoulder season, offering cozy spaces for connection. LGBTQ+-owned guesthouses have adapted with off-season rates and extended stays, appealing to remote workers and creatives desiring a communal, affirming environment .

Cherry Grove’s transformation is guided by a renewed commitment to intersectionality. In 2025, local organizers have launched events centering trans, non-binary, and BIPOC voices, including film screenings and panel discussions addressing the intersections of race, gender, and sexuality within queer spaces . The Grove’s longstanding tradition of drag performance now embraces a broader spectrum of gender expression and artistry, reflecting the evolving landscape of LGBTQ+ culture.

Community leaders have also prioritized accessibility, with boardwalk improvements and partnerships with disability advocacy groups ensuring that Cherry Grove remains welcoming to all. Mental health workshops and support groups, organized in partnership with New York City-based LGBTQ+ organizations, provide vital resources for both residents and travelers, addressing the unique challenges faced by queer people in retreat-like spaces .

Reaching Cherry Grove requires a sense of adventure: visitors board a train or drive to Sayville, then take a ferry across the bay. The absence of cars on the island evokes an immediate sense of escape. In recent years, local environmental groups, many led by LGBTQ+ activists, have promoted sustainable travel practices—encouraging visitors to minimize waste, respect fragile dune ecosystems, and support local conservation initiatives .

Seasoned travelers recommend visiting in late September or October, when the Atlantic is still swimmable and the island’s natural beauty is at its peak. Off-season, the pace slows, and the sense of queer community deepens, with intimate gatherings replacing the spectacle of peak summer parties.

In a travel landscape where many LGBTQ+-friendly destinations have become heavily commercialized, Cherry Grove offers something rare: authenticity rooted in lived experience, intergenerational community, and ongoing activism. As queer travelers seek destinations that are both fun and meaningful, Cherry Grove’s renaissance stands out. Whether participating in a storytelling night at the Community House, hiking through the Sunken Forest, or sharing a meal in an LGBTQ+-owned cafe, visitors to Cherry Grove find a space where joy, resistance, and belonging intertwine.

In 2025, Cherry Grove is not just a summer escape, but an evolving queer haven—one that honors its past while welcoming the full spectrum of LGBTQ+ identities into its future .

There are only three places on the planet where deciduous forests transform into the reds, oranges and yellows of fall. And nowhere else is it as bright and brilliant as in Eastern North America. While the autumnal equinox officially starts on Sept. 22, there's still plenty of time to plan your trip, even if it's just down the street. All of the 48 contiguous United States have some fall foliage, even Florida, but here are the best options for a true explosion of color.

The usual suspects

You may recall from your high school science class that chlorophyll is what gives plants their green color. The natural nutrient allows plants to utilize the sun's rays to convert carbon dioxide and water into sugars and starches by photosynthesis. However, as the Earth tilts away from the sun, plants send less chlorophyll out to the leaves, causing them to transform into the vibrant colors of autumn.

New England

If there's one area that's known for pretty fall colors, it's New England. The farther away you are from the equator, the less sun you get. Plants in the northern regions produce more chlorophyll during the spring and summer, and when they stop pumping out to the leaves, the colors are even more spectacular.

The White Mountains of New Hampshire are well known for their fall foliage. Millions come to see the leaves erupt into reds, oranges and yellows during October. The same sugar that creates true maple syrup causes chemical reactions in the leaves, causing the more brilliant reds. If you visit too early, the colors will seem dull, but mid-October is prime viewing time.

Head up Route 112 to hit the famous Kancamagus Highway, a 34-mile drive with no distracting businesses, restaurants or gas stations, just mile after mile of beautiful fall scenery. The smell of the forest transports you back in time, and many choose to camp along The Kanc for the best autumn experience.

Named by Travel + Leisure as one of the Best Places to See Fall Foliage in the United States, Stowe, Vermont, is known as the fall color capital. You'll want to visit the last week of September through mid-October for the best leaf peeping. You can see the explosion of fall colors around the historical buildings in town, or wind up Smuggler's Notch, first used in the War of 1812.

Further south, the hills and valleys come alive with fall colors in Green Mountain National Park. What better way to maximize your autumnal experience than going through a forest of trees, all displaying slightly different varieties of color? The mountains make the perfect backdrop, as you hike into the 400,000 acres using the oldest continuous footpath in the U.S.

Typical fall colors are offset by the blues and greens of evergreen trees in The Berkshires, Massachusetts. Take a trip down the Mohawk Trail along Route 2 that includes the famous Hairpin Turn, or work your way up the winding road to the top of Greylock Mountain, where you can see colorful leaves for miles.

Last year, Yankee magazine named Kent, Connecticut, one of the best fall foliage towns in New England. It's a great place to take the family. Along with Mystic, Hartford and New Haven, you can see plenty of colorful leaves, historic buildings and old covered bridges. You can even catch a fall foliage-oriented train ride.

Make a whole day of it by slipping into nearby Rhode Island. The Blackstone Valley region is gorgeous and just a few miles away from Providence and Newport, where you can see tall ships on Narragansett Bay.

Tri-State Area

In early to mid-October, the Catskill Mountains in upstate New York flourish with a spectacular display of color. Hannacroix Creek Preserve is a nice hike into an explosion of fall foliage, ending with a majestic waterfall. The overlook next to the historic Catskill Mountain House, built in the 1820s, provides a perfect vantage point for admiring the changing leaves.

The leaves in the trees on the 6 million acres of the Adirondacks change so consistently, it's like watching a colored wave. They shift from yellow to orange and red, then purple, before dropping entirely off. They also shift depending on weather and how close they are to the lakes and rivers.

Whether you opt to hike into the Allegheny National Forest or bike along the Great Allegheny Passage, fall colors are unmissable in Pennsylvania. Pine Creek Gorge adds purple to the mix. Late September to early October is the best time to leaf-peep in the Keystone State. Big Pocono State Park offers a summit with ideal views of fall foliage in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey

Less crowded, still beautiful

Their colors may not be quite as spectacular as what you'd see in the crisp New England autumn, but the middle of the country still has plenty to see, and often boasts much smaller crowds.

Midwest and Great Lakes

The variety of trees and waterways they're adjacent to provides a unique spectrum of color in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The usual red and yellow leaves are complemented by reddish brown, bronze and purple-hued reds. Mid-October is the best time to visit Peninsula State Park in Door County, Wisconsin. And to really avoid crowds, but still see plenty of color, try Lilydale, Minn.

Michigan's Upper Peninsula, or U.P., is a hidden gem amongst leaf peepers. Mackinac Island, famous for its fudge and saltwater taffy, is car free and covered in deciduous trees, carpeting the community in an explosion of color starting in mid-October. Ride a bike or hop on a horse-drawn carriage to explore.

The third week of October is the best time to visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio. The usual reds are mixed in with a whole palette of other rose-colored hues, along with yellows and some oranges.

The Mason-Dixon Line

While there are many places to spot fall colors in the Southern states, there's one road that combines the best views. The Blue Ridge Parkway runs 469 miles, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky and North Carolina, connecting Shenandoah National Park to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. That's hundreds of opportunities to see gorgeous fall colors, with the best prospects in mid-to late October, depending on your elevation.

Underrated alternatives

Finally, take a look out west. These are places you might not expect, but look beautiful, and with a much smaller crowd.

Go West, young man

A proliferation of cottonwood, red alders and maple trees decorates the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon with stunning golden and red-hued leaves. Mid- to late October is when the colors pop most, depending on elevation. Residents recommend hiking Multnomah Falls, Hood River or Eagle Creek Trail. The Columbia River Gorge Scenic Byway is perfect for vehicle traffic, with plenty of areas to pull off and snap shots.

Grand Teton, Yellowstone National Park and Jackson Hole in Wyoming have their own unique fall flavor. An abundance of Aspen trees means yellow is the dominant autumn color here, laced with some oranges and few reds and the occasional purple.

Surprisingly for some, the Arizona high desert displays a fiery fountain of fall foliage. The color changes can be clearly tracked north to south. In Flagstaff and north of the Grand Canyon, the colors are most vibrant in late September. As they fade, the palette shifts down, Sedona in mid- to late October, and the Chiricahua Mountains light up in late October into November.

Colorado follows a similar pattern, with their vivid yellows, golds, oranges and reds cascading southwards as September turns into October and then November. For Aspen, the most vibrant hues are in late September and can be seen from Cathedral Lake, driving down Independence Pass, or camping near Maroon Bells.

Mount Rainier in Washington state finds itself carpeted with fall colors tinged with southwest hues. From mid-October to early November, tour the park between Sunrise and Chinook Pass, as well as the Paradise area, Reflection Lakes, Bench and Snow Lakes, and the Grove of the Patriarchs.

Orange hues tend to dominate the forests around Lake Tahoe, straddling the California and Nevada border. Drive Highway 50 or 80 to see some beautiful landscapes, or venture off the freeway for more exploration around Truckee River and Donner Lake with views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Check out Ponderosa Meadow, famous to so many boomers thanks to the show "Bonanza."

Turning over a new leaf

While leaves can start changing as early as mid-September, October is really the peak time for most leaf peeping. If you need a state-by-state reference, the Farmer's Almanac breaks it down even to the specific regions. Even the busiest areas are a little quieter during the week. With proper planning, you can see lots of gorgeous fall color without tripping over too many other tourists.

Ksenia Prints is a food and travel writer from Montreal, Canada. She blogs over at We Travel We Bond, writing about family travel off the beaten path.

The new rule goes into effect Jan. 27, the same day Southwest starts assigning seats.

Currently, plus-size passengers can either pay for an extra seat in advance with the option of getting that money back later, or they can request a free extra seat at the airport. Under the carrier's new policy, a refund is still possible but no longer guaranteed.

In a statement Monday, Southwest said it is updating some of its policies as it prepares for assigned seating next year.

“To ensure space, we are communicating to Customers who have previously used the extra seat policy that they should purchase it at booking,” the statement said.

It marks the latest change at Southwest, which had long been known for letting its passengers pick their own seats after boarding the plane, and for letting their bags fly for free, which ended in May. Those perks were key to differentiating the budget carrier from its rivals.

Southwest says it will still refund a second ticket under its new policy for extra seating if the flight isn't fully booked at the time of departure, and if both of the passenger's tickets were purchased in the same booking class. The passenger also needs to request the refund within 90 days of the flight.

If a passenger who needs an extra seat doesn't purchase one ahead of time, they will be required to buy one at the airport, according to the new policy. If the flight is full, the passenger will be rebooked onto a new flight.

Jason Vaughn, an Orlando-based travel agent who posts theme park reviews and travel tips for plus-size people on social media and his website, Fat Travel Tested, said the change will likely impact travelers of all sizes. Southwest’s current policy helped create a more comfortable flying experience for plus-size travelers, he said, while also ensuring all passengers have adequate space in their seats.

“I think it’s going to make the flying experience worse for everybody,” he said of the new rule.

Vaughn described the change as yet another letdown for Southwest loyalists like himself, likening it to Cracker Barrel's recent logo change that has angered some of the restaurant's fans.

“They have no idea anymore who their customer is,” he said of the airline. "They have no identity left.”

The airline has struggled recently and is under pressure from activist investors to boost profits and revenue. It also said last year that it would charge customers extra for more legroom and offer red-eye flights.

It's not about going back in time; it's about going back to your time. To the waterparks that defined your summers, the storybook escapes you imagined from your bedroom floor, or the quirky cult TV towns that lived rent-free in your teen brain. 

Here are four destinations serving major nostalgia, reimagined for your adult self, with just the right mix of memory and modern magic.

For Recreating Waterpark Days - Sandos Caracol Eco Resort

Sprawled within the lush jungle of the Riviera Maya, Sandos Caracol Eco Resort is the ultimate throwback to childhood waterpark bliss. The resort's massive 29-slide water park (one of the largest in the region) stirs up carefree nostalgia with splash zones, twisting slides, and waterfall fun for all ages.

However, the magic doesn't stop at the slides. Guests can snorkel in crystal-clear cenotes, encounter native wildlife like spider monkeys and coatis, and catch vibrant cultural performances. Plus, it's all wrapped into one eco-friendly, all-inclusive price that satisfies both your inner child and your adult budget.

For Recreating the Great American Road Trip - The Meritage Resort and Spa

Pack the car, roll the windows down, and cue the road trip playlist. The Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa Valley channels the golden age of family vacations, only this time, it's luxe.

Think of it as a grown-up version of those summer road trips to wine country with Mom and Dad, where instead of fast food stops and motel pools, you're indulging in farm-to-table dining, wine tastings, and cabana-side lounging. With its backyard vineyard, nostalgic lawn games, retro-inspired bowling alley, and scenic hillside views, The Meritage Resort and Spa offers the charm of a classic California escape with all the adult perks you never knew you needed back then.

“California wine country is basically one giant autocross course, only with better scenery, slower cruising, and the kind of rewards you can sip and savor.”— Olivia Richmond,Guessing Headlights.

For Recreating Storybook Summers - Villa Bokéh - Antigua, Guatemala

Remember the childhood joy of curling up beneath a tree, nose buried in a book, imagining faraway places filled with magic, mystery, and adventure? At Villa Bokéh - a 15-room luxury retreat set on the edge of Antigua, Guatemala - that feeling comes rushing back. With its own private lagoon and complimentary canoe rides aptly named 'The Notebook Experience', the hotel invites guests to paddle past willows and wildflowers at their own pace, like a scene pulled straight from a vintage storybook.

Surrounding it all is a pristine six-acre garden dotted with reading benches and hidden nooks perfect for quiet reflection, plus a charming picnic basket amenity service that brings lunch straight to the lawn. It's a grown-up version of the summers you once loved, and the books you imagined yourself living in.

For Recreating Your Twin Peaks Obsession - Bellevue, Washington

If you ever found yourself captivated by cherry pie, damn fine coffee, and the eerie mystery of Twin Peaks, now's your chance to step into the show's surreal Pacific Northwest world. While the iconic series was filmed in nearby Snoqualmie and North Bend, savvy travelers base themselves in Bellevue, just outside of Seattle, and it is the perfect 'basecamp' to explore the entire area where the iconic show was filmed.

Spend the day tracing the show's most iconic locations, from the real-life Double R Diner (aka Twede's Café) to Snoqualmie Falls, which famously appeared in the opening credits. For those serious about making the pilgrimage, Visit Bellevue has compiled a complete Twin Peaks guide here - including exact filming sites, fun facts, and tips. 

The venue’s name references its forced move from the original Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar due to anti-gay sentiment, with “in Exile” symbolizing both displacement and resilience. It quickly became a focal point for local activists, artists, and notables, including literary icons like Tennessee Williams and Truman Capote, who both frequented the establishment .

Today, Café Lafitte in Exile continues to attract tourists from around the globe, drawn not only by its storied past but also by its vibrant present-day atmosphere. The bar operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, offering a welcoming space regardless of the hour—a rarity even in New Orleans’ famously lively nightlife scene .

The venue is renowned for its colorful balcony overlooking Bourbon Street, making it a prime spot for people-watching during major city events, including Mardi Gras and Southern Decadence, one of the largest LGBTQ+ festivals in the South. During these events, Café Lafitte in Exile hosts themed parties, drag performances, and community fundraisers, solidifying its role as a hub for both entertainment and advocacy .

Beyond its reputation as a nightlife destination, Café Lafitte in Exile is deeply involved in local LGBTQ+ initiatives. The bar supports a range of organizations, including local AIDS assistance groups and youth outreach services, and regularly hosts events that raise awareness and funds for marginalized members of the community .

Staff at the bar, many of whom identify as LGBTQ+, describe their mission as fostering a space where all are welcomed—including transgender people, nonbinary patrons, and those new to the community. The establishment’s zero-tolerance policy for discrimination and its open embrace of diversity have earned it accolades from both local and national LGBTQ+ publications .

For tourists visiting New Orleans—a city consistently ranked among the world’s most LGBTQ+ friendly destinations—Café Lafitte in Exile offers an authentic and affirming experience that blends history, culture, and celebration . The bar is frequently listed in travel guides and reputable LGBTQ+ media as a must-visit spot, both for those seeking nightlife and for travelers interested in understanding the struggles and triumphs of the local LGBTQ+ community .

The venue’s enduring presence and commitment to inclusion serve as a model for LGBTQ+ businesses worldwide, demonstrating how a single establishment can spark change, foster resilience, and offer sanctuary in the heart of a bustling tourist destination.

Twenty-seven years ago he attended his first Venice Film Festival with the instant classic “Out of Sight”; 20 years ago, it’s where he debuted his sophomore film, “Good Night, and Good Luck,” which earned him his first best director nomination; and 11 years ago, it’s where he exchanged vows with then Amal Alamuddin, at the Aman Venice, a five-star hotel perched alongside the Grand Canal.

Venice is a city that he, like many, thinks is one of the most beautiful in the world. Unlike most people, he also owns 15-bedroom villa a few hours away on Lake Como that famously co-starred in “Ocean’s Twelve.”

This year he’ll be back on the Lido again with Noah Baumbach’s “Jay Kelly,” in which he plays a middle-aged movie star on a journey through Europe with his manager, played by Adam Sandler. And his longtime friend and oft co-star Julia Roberts is making her Venice debut this year with “After the Hunt.”

Here are some of Clooney’s most memorable Venice moments.

1998: “Out of Sight”

As legend has it, Clooney’s long term love affair with Venice may have begun with the festival’s premiere of Steven Soderbergh’s Elmore Leonard adaptation “Out of Sight.” Then 37 and doing press alongside Jennifer Lopez, the actor would also make another big jump soon: Leaving “ER” that February.

2003: “Intolerable Cruelty”

This Coen brothers joint, co-starring Catherine Zeta-Jones, premiered out of competition at the 60th Venice Film Festival, alongside titles like “Matchstick Men,” “Once Upon a Time in Mexico” and “The Dreamers.” Clooney’s nearby Italian residence was already as famous as him, and a stakeout spot for amateur and professional paparazzi.

In a profile that fall, while shooting “Ocean’s Twelve,” Vanity Fair writer Ned Zeman observed: “That an affable, self-effacing Kentucky-born Hollywood actor is fast becoming the most popular public figure in Italy says a little about Italy and a lot about Clooney, who isn’t Italian, doesn’t speak Italian, and lives here only in summertime.”

2005: “Good Night and Good Luck”

Clooney’s acclaimed black-and-white dramatization of journalist Edward R. Murrow’s clash with Joseph McCarthy began its successful run in competition at the 62nd Venice Film Festival. Though it lost the Golden Lion to Ang Lee’s “Brokeback Mountain,” it did go on to pick up six Oscar nominations including for Clooney’s directing.

During the trip, he also inspired a cocktail still served at the ritzy Belmond Hotel Cipriani on Giudecca. One night he retreated to the hotel’s Gabbiano Bar where his friend, the legendary bar manager Walter Bolzonella, mixed him a drink of lemon, sugar, vodka, cranberry juice, ginger and Angostura bitters and named it Buona Notte in honor of the film. The two would later name a prosecco, passionfruit and elderflower cocktail La Nina after Clooney’s mother, which was served at his wedding.

2007: “Michael Clayton”

Tony Gilroy’s “Michael Clayton,” which nabbed Clooney an Oscar nomination for his turn as the titular law firm fixer, played in competition at Venice. The top prize went again to an Ang Lee film: “Lust, Caution,” which also beat out the likes of “I’m Not There,” “Atonement” and “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.”

2008: “Burn After Reading”

This Coen brothers comedy featuring Clooney and Brad Pitt opted to debut out of competition in the opening night slot. He said it completed his “trilogy of idiots” that he’d played for the Coens, including “Intolerable Cruelty” and “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” “Looking at the parts we are playing, I’m very concerned about what you think of us,” Clooney said at the press conference. Pitt, who’d won the festival’s acting prize the year prior, added: “Like George … I’m not sure if I should be flattered or insulted.”

2011: “The Ides of March”

Another opening night, out of competition slot debut for this Clooney-directed campaign thriller starring Ryan Gosling and Philip Seymour Hoffman. As usual, Clooney was peppered with political questions in which he observed that, “it’s a very difficult time to govern.”

2013: “Gravity”

Alfonso Cuarón’s “Gravity” opened the 70th edition of the Venice Film Festival before going on to win seven Oscars. Clooney, of course, attended the premiere alongside Sandra Bullock and he was self-deprecating about his role: “There were only two parts and Sandy had the other one, so I felt like this was the only one I could get away with.”

2014: George and Amal get married

The canals were packed with paparazzi for the nuptials of one of Hollywood’s favorite bachelors. On Sept. 27, Clooney, then 53, and Alamuddin, then 36, exchanged vows in front of 100 of their closest friends and family, including Bono and Matt Damon, at the luxury hotel Aman Grand Canal, originally a grand palazzo built in 1550. She wore a custom Oscar de la Renta dress, of French lace, pearls and diamanté accents. He wore a black wool/cashmere Giorgio Armani tuxedo.

2017: “Suburbicon”

Clooney returned to the festival with another of his directing projects, “Suburbicon,” a dark comedic satire about a seemingly idyllic 1950s community with Damon and Julianne Moore. This festival was especially notable for it being the Clooneys’ first public appearance since the birth of their twins, Alexander and Ella, a few months prior.

2023: Spotlight on Amal

This time George was the plus one to Amal, who was receiving an award from the Diane von Furstenberg and The Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation for her work as a human rights lawyer. The power couple gave the festival some much-needed star power amid the actors strike with an appearance at the adjacent DVF Awards. “I am here in Venice with my husband; he is a rising star,” she said that night. “I just wanted to say, you, my love, like this city, take my breath away.”

2024: “Wolfs”

Clooney and Pitt reunited for the Jon Watts action comedy “Wolfs,” that played out of competition. But the spotlight was less on the film and more on the off-screen drama of the AppleTV+ produced film only getting a limited theatrical release, and his then-recent New York Times op-ed urging President Joe Biden to end his reelection bid.

“The person who should be applauded is the president who did the most selfless thing anyone’s done since George Washington,” Clooney said. “All the machinations that got us there, none of that’s going to be remembered. And it shouldn’t be. What should be remembered is the selfless act.”

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For ongoing coverage of the 2025 Venice Film Festival, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/venice-film-festival

The hourlong event brings 120 tons of overripe tomatoes to the eastern town of Buñol, where tarp-covered buildings flank a crowd of up to 22,000 participants awaiting their ammo. Non-local attendees pay 15 euros ($17.50) for a ticket and arrive from countries across the globe or cities a bus ride away.

“When it’s going on, it’s just a blur of tomatoes,” said Adrian Columb of Ireland, who attended in 1999. “It was a blast.”

Here’s what to know about the “Tomatina” festival:

The anniversary of a spontaneous food fight

Held on the last Wednesday of August, the event was inspired by a food fight between local children who pelted each other with tomatoes in 1945.

After becoming a yearly tradition, “Tomatina” was briefly banned in the 1950s by Spanish dictator Francisco Franco, a decision locals protested. Televised media attention in the 1980s turned the festival into a national event, eventually drawing an international crowd.

In 2002, Spain officially recognized the festival as an international tourism attraction. Since then, the event has only been suspended twice, in 2020 and 2021, because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The tomatoes aren’t edible

The tomatoes thrown aren’t from crops treated like those used for food. That’s because they’re grown exclusively for the festival, said Buñol Deputy Mayor Sergio Galarza.

“If ‘Tomatina’ didn’t exist, these tomatoes wouldn’t be cultivated because there wouldn’t be a need for them,” Galarza said.

This year’s supply hails from Don Benito, a town over 5 hours away.

There’s only one rule

There are no teams, no points and no referees, but there is a guideline: To avoid injuries, participants are encouraged to squash the tomatoes before hurling them (and of course, refrain from hurling anything else).

Even then, many people don swimming goggles and earplugs for protection.

When Columb attended, he said, a friend of his finished the battle with two black eyes. “But I know he’s kind of tall, so maybe he was a target,” Columb added.

“You finish exhausted,” said Galarza, who grew up going to the festival before becoming its chief councilor. “Your arms are worn out, everything is worn out from moving and launching it all.”

The mash of projectiles leaves attendees “up to your ankles deep in this tomato puree,” Columb said.

Once the hour is up, marked by the sound of a cannon shot, crowds shuffle to wash off at nearby communal showers while the town’s streets are hosed. Though the stains on clothes are likely irreversible, the citric acid in the tomatoes acts as an effective cleaning agent on the pavement. Three to four hours later, the streets are sometimes left cleaner than before.

Other countries have taken inspiration

Similar tomato-flinging festivals have taken place in Florida, London, Amsterdam, the Colombian town of Sutamarchán and, most recently, Hyderabad, India.

Still, for Galarza, a native of the festival’s original location, “Tomatina” is synonymous with Buñol, he said.

“The truth is that it’s exciting because year after year, you can see how ‘Tomatina’ grows and evolves,” Galarza said, “and you can enjoy a festival that is super wholesome.”

Since their inception in 1982, the Gay Games have stood as the world’s largest all-inclusive sporting and cultural event, open to participants of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and abilities. The 2026 edition, the twelfth in the event’s history, will be guided by the principles of participation, inclusion, and achieving one’s personal best. The Games are open to anyone over 18, with no qualifying standards—making them a uniquely accessible and affirming space for LGBTQ+ athletes and allies alike .

Valencia’s program will feature 37 to 38 sports, including aquatics, basketball, rugby, rowing, and more, plus local favorites such as colpbol and pilota valenciana, offered in exhibition mode to highlight regional culture and tradition. Each sport is overseen by its respective governing body, ensuring both competitive integrity and a welcoming atmosphere for all skill levels .

Central to the experience will be the Gay Games Village, located in the iconic Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias (City of Arts and Sciences). This architectural landmark will serve as a hub for social gatherings, cultural programming, and community-building, much like the Olympic Village tradition. With 33 venues—22 of them government-owned and most situated within the city limits—the Games aim to be both accessible and visible throughout Valencia, reinforcing its role as a beacon of LGBTQ+ hospitality .

Beyond the competitions, attendees will enjoy Valencia’s celebrated beaches, vibrant nightlife, world-class cuisine, and centuries-old history. The city’s Mediterranean climate and renowned cultural festivals make it a prime destination for queer travelers, with tourism officials eager to demonstrate Valencia’s ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion .

Valencia’s tourism boosters are already eyeing the Gay Games as a catalyst for lasting change—not only hoping to welcome a record number of LGBTQ+ visitors in 2026, but to encourage them to return in subsequent years. The event’s timing coincides with the city’s busiest tourism season, promising a substantial economic boost and a chance to further establish Valencia as one of Europe’s premier queer-friendly destinations .

Spain’s reputation as an LGBTQ+ travel leader is well-earned, with decades of investment in queer-friendly infrastructure and events. From the island parties of Ibiza and Mallorca to the metropolitan celebrations in Madrid and Barcelona, Spain has consistently prioritized LGBTQ+ inclusion in its tourism strategy. The decision to bring the Gay Games to Valencia is seen as both an affirmation of these efforts and a springboard for future growth .

Organizers are also mindful of the importance of accessibility, working to ensure the Games are welcoming to people of all backgrounds, abilities, and identities—including transgender people, nonbinary individuals, and those with disabilities. The event is promoted as a “safe environment for the entire LGTBIQ+ community,” regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, age, religion, or health status .

While the athletic contests will take center stage, the Gay Games are also renowned for their cultural programming: art exhibitions, music performances, and educational events that foster dialogue, visibility, and solidarity within and beyond the LGBTQ+ community. For many participants and attendees, the Games are as much about forging connections and affirming identities as they are about medals or records.

The legacy of the Gay Games is measured not just in victories, but in the memories, friendships, and sense of belonging they create. As Valencia looks ahead to 2026, local leaders, activists, and tourism professionals are united in their vision: to make the city a home for everyone, if only for a week—and, perhaps, to inspire visitors to return long after the closing ceremony.

For more information or to subscribe for updates, visit the official Gay Games Valencia 2026 website at gaygamesvalencia2026.com .