Party in Ibiza this May at one of Europe’s best-loved festivals for queer women

The organizers of Velvet Ibiza, a long-running festival for queer women, are gearing up for their 2026 outing.

The action takes place from May 21-25, at the Palm Star Hotel on the fabled Balearic island.

Velvet Ibiza has been running since 2015. It’s the brainchild of Carine De Mesmaeker, the woman behind Velvet Sixty Nine, another big party for LGBTQ+ women that takes place in Brussels, Belgium.

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Velvet Ibiza includes daytime pool parties, speed dating events and excursions. These include hiking tours and kayaking. This is followed in the evening by clubbing events with DJs.

The Palm Star is located in San Antonio. Those attending Velvet can book their accommodation at the Palm or at a nearby hotel. The Palm will be exclusively reserved for the Velvet group and offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner on-site.

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Besides the Palm, Velvet Ibiza recommends nearby hotels, such as Axel (a primarily gay hotel). Els Pins, Vibra San Remo or S’Estanyol, and the Ryans Lola. All of them offer discounts if you use the booking codes available on the Velvet Ibiza website.

San Antonio, Ibiza

San Antonio is located on Ibiza’s west coast. It offers stunning Mediterranean sunsets from the famous Sunset Strip and Café del Mar. The compact town center offers easy walkability and proximity to both party hotspots and quieter areas. Its dramatic views, affordable prices (compared to Ibiza Town), and the mix of relaxation and entertainment it offers make it versatile for different travelers.

“Velvet Ibiza attracts women from all walks of life who come together to enjoy the unique blend of music, dance and community spirit,” says Carine De Mesmaeker in a statement to GayCities.

“The mixture of womxn of all ages, with different backgrounds and cultures, coming from all over the world makes Velvet Ibiza unique.”

Carine says she particularly loves meeting returning customers.

“A large number of them return year after year, so it almost becomes a family. Newcomers are also welcomed with open arms, and solo travelers never remain alone for long and are quickly included. We also organize various activities specifically for solo travelers.”

A pass to Velvet Ibiza costs €490 (approximately $570) “with all drinks included between 12.30 and 20.30”. For more details, check out VelvetIbiza.com.

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