New ‘Love Festival’ draws queer men to Glastonbury for healing and connection
“Many queer men are looking for spaces where they can slow down, feel present and experience connection.”
Mark
Looking to switch off from the outside world, relax amidst nature, and connect with other queer men? A new festival in the depths of the English countryside may provide the tonic you’re seeking.
The Love Festival isn’t actually new, but it has undergone a rebrand for 2026. It’s an evolution of what was previously known as the Tantra Festival. That event launched 13 years ago on a small site in Wales under the guidance of Jason Tye and Ingo Brauer. However, they have now relocated to Spain. The festival has been taken over by tantra practitioners Richie Moore and Joey Tabone.
They’ve changed the name.
Pack your bags, we’re going on an adventure
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for the best LGBTQ+ travel guides, stories, and more.
Subscribe to our Newsletter today
“The initial reason for the name change was born of the current misunderstandings and interpretations of Tantra, beyond being a spiritual practice,” they tell GayCities. “The new festival has, and will maintain the focus of connecting men who love men. And whilst classical and Neo-tantra are main aspects of the festival, there is also an expansion into bringing more conscious and sober kink practices to men beyond the usual night-club and cruise bar experiences on offer.”
Beautiful Somerset
The Love Festival will take place over five days, from August 29 to 2 September 2, 2026. The location is the EarthSpirit Centre in Compton Dundon, five miles south of Glastonbury (home of the famous music festival). The area in Somerset has long been a magnet for those in search of healing or spiritual renewal. It lies upon intersecting “ley lines” that some believe connect to ancient sites and energies.
“In a world where gay men are facing constant challenges around body image, gender identity, toxic masculinity … hook up culture and app dependency – discovering how to make real connections again can be fraught with problems. Which is where the new The Love Festival comes in – helping men to love their own skin – and each other.”
Conscious kink
A variety of workshops will take place each day, in a clothing-optional, drug and alcohol-free environment. Explore meditation, breathwork, intimacy, body confidence, massage, tantra and more, “with a renewed focus on consent, communication, embodiment and emotional safety.”
The organizers expect this to be the biggest such event in the UK this year, with attendance limited to 120. Accommodation options on site range from shared rooms to tents, yurts and caravans. Some camping spaces are also available for reservation.
“Many queer men are looking for spaces where they can slow down, feel present and experience connection in a more conscious way,” says Moore. “There’s a growing shift away from environments built around pressure, image or escape, and towards spaces rooted in authenticity, communication and care.”
“The Love Festival is about creating an environment where people can explore intimacy, playfulness, vulnerability and community. It’s sober, but it’s also joyful, liberating, and deeply human.”
Tabone adds, “We wanted to create something that feels welcoming, grounded and emotionally intelligent, where consent is active, boundaries are respected and people are free to explore who they are without judgment.”
What do they hope people take away from the festival?
“Participants always tell us it has brought them closer to other like-minded men, through intimacy and connection. It has helped many overcome shame, body image issues and given them a safe space to be them, and rediscover play authentically and wholly.”
4 other spiritual retreats for queer men this summer
- Outermost Yoga – Gay Men’s Tantra Retreat in Provincetown, Massachusetts: Yoga, nature hikes, bike rentals, & more. June 22-27, 2026.
- Summer Gay Spirit Camp – Easton Mountain, Greenwich, New York : “Celebrate gay brotherhood and rekindle your gay spirit!” August 10–August 16, 2026.
- Camp Connect – Spirit Camp Retreat Center, Little River, California: “Erotic Bodywork, breathwork, movement, power dynamics, exploration, group erotic practice.” September 4-7, 2026
- The Power of the Medicine Man – A N*de Summer Camp in Avila, Spain. August 11-16, 2026.
Related
Men’s campground Boar’s Rut reopens in Arkansas after $100,000 rebuild
An idyllic and serene escape for men in the forests of southern Arkansas.6 retreats to boost your queer joy and connect with like-minded souls
Escape the everyday grind and find yourself.
Join the GayCities newsletter for weekly updates on the best LGBTQ+ destinations and events—nearby and around the world.
