Ibiza is set to host its first Gay Wellness Week from October 10 to 17, 2026, bringing together a programme focused on wellness, movement, personal growth and community for gay and queer men.

The inaugural event is being organised as an alternative to the traditional circuit-party holiday, with a focus on connection, learning, physical activity and rest. The main programme will be based at S’ermita, a former monastery in the hills near Sant Miquel in the north of Ibiza.

A Different Kind of Ibiza Experience

Gay Wellness Week is designed around a very different idea of an Ibiza holiday.

The programme is alcohol-free and includes movement classes, workshops, guest speakers, social gatherings and wellness activities throughout the week.

The organisers describe the event as an opportunity for gay men to focus on wellbeing and meaningful connections, rather than centring the experience around nightlife and partying.

The week is intentionally being held in October, when Ibiza is generally quieter than during the peak summer season.

S’ermita in the North of Ibiza

The main residential programme will take place at S’ermita, a former monastery located in the hills near Sant Miquel.

The setting is intended to provide a quieter environment away from Ibiza's busiest tourist areas.

Participants staying at S’ermita can take part in the wider programme, with accommodation, meals and wellness activities available as part of the different options.

The organisers have also created a Gay Getaway Wellness Pass for people who want to participate without staying at the main residential venue. That option connects participants with events while offering accommodation possibilities in the Cala Llonga area.

An International Line-Up

One of the most notable aspects of the inaugural programme is its line-up of speakers and contributors.

Former Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is among the guest speakers. Varadkar, who served as Ireland's prime minister from 2017 to 2020 and again from 2022 until 2024, was the country's first openly gay head of government.

The programme also includes Chip Conley, founder of the Modern Elder Academy and former Head of Global Hospitality at Airbnb.

Other contributors include researcher Tommaso Barba, Ibiza-based embodiment coach Chris Connors, musician and community facilitator Jurgis Didžiulis, and a range of instructors working across movement, meditation and wellbeing.

Movement, Workshops and Wellbeing

The week will offer a broad range of activities rather than focusing on a single approach to wellness.

The programme includes yoga, meditation, HIIT, breathwork, sound healing and workshops, alongside social events and opportunities to explore the island.

There are also optional activities including a sailing trip to Formentera, personal training and massage, depending on the participant's chosen programme.

The organisers say no specific fitness or wellness background is required for the main programme.

A Sober October in Ibiza

The event is deliberately alcohol-free, positioning itself as an alternative to Ibiza's traditional party image.

Participants can expect soft drinks, mocktails and other non-alcoholic options throughout the programme.

The timing also coincides with the end of Ibiza's main clubbing season, giving participants the opportunity to experience a quieter side of the island.

According to the organisers, the idea is not to reject Ibiza's nightlife culture, but to explore another side of the island during a different part of the year.

A Week Built Around Community

Community is one of the central themes of the event.

The programme begins with an Opening Circle on Saturday, October 10, followed by a series of sessions and activities throughout the week.

The final evening will feature a Closing Party at House of Dreams in Can Furnet on Friday, October 16.

Participants can attend as individuals, and the organisers specifically promote the event as an opportunity to meet other people within the community.

Why Ibiza?

The organisers say Ibiza was chosen partly because of its long connection with alternative lifestyles, wellness and LGBTQ+ culture.

The north of the island in particular has a history associated with the alternative and spiritual movements that developed in Ibiza during the second half of the 20th century.

October also offers a very different atmosphere from the height of summer, with quieter roads, fewer visitors and a slower pace.

That combination makes the island a natural setting for an event focused on rest and wellbeing.

Who Is Behind Gay Wellness Week?

The event was founded by Sadiq Gillani, a travel industry executive and advisor who has previously held senior positions including Chief Strategy Officer at Lufthansa and Transformation Director at Emirates.

Gillani is also a trustee of Stonewall and has an MBA from Harvard Business School and an MA from Cambridge.

He co-founded Gay Wellness Week with Luke Connelly, an Australian marketing consultant based in Barcelona with experience in LGBTQ+ sport and community-led events.

The organisation behind the event is a UK-registered Community Interest Company focused on improving the mental wellbeing of gay men through connection and personal growth.

October in Ibiza

The event arrives at an interesting point in Ibiza's annual calendar.

By October, the island's main summer season is winding down, but the weather can remain warm and the island's restaurants, hotels and outdoor spaces continue operating.

For visitors who know Ibiza primarily for its clubs, beach parties and summer crowds, Gay Wellness Week offers a chance to experience a quieter side of the island.

The event also reflects the growing diversity of experiences being developed in Ibiza beyond traditional nightlife tourism.

The First Edition

Gay Wellness Week will run from October 10 to 17, 2026, with its main programme based at S’ermita in northern Ibiza.

The week combines wellness, movement, talks, workshops, social activities and community events, with optional experiences including a Formentera sailing trip.

The organisers say places are intentionally limited, making the inaugural event a relatively small gathering rather than a large-scale festival.

For Ibiza, it represents another addition to the island's expanding wellness and LGBTQ+ tourism scene.

The first Gay Wellness Week arrives in Ibiza this October with a very different proposition: less partying, more movement, connection and time to slow down.