XLSIOR Mykonos 2025

Europe's hottest annual summer gay circuit festival celebrates another year on Mykonos island, featuring an amazing DJ lineup, sexy dancers, fabulous shows, and full-on party productions.

XLSIOR Mykonos 2025 is set to be even bigger than ever. With up to 30,000 people descending on the island for this huge festival, this is one not to miss. Taking place from 21st to 27th  August 2025.

Origins and History

XLSIOR (pronounced "excelsior") launched in 2009, founded by Anastasios Kapetanias who identified an opportunity to create a premium circuit event on an island already popular with gay travelers. What began as a smaller gathering quickly expanded into a week-long festival as its reputation spread throughout Europe and beyond.

The festival strategically positioned itself as a more upscale alternative to other circuit events, with higher ticket prices, exclusive venues, and a focus on premium production values. This approach helped attract a well-heeled international crowd and cemented its status as one of the "must-attend" events on the global circuit calendar.

The XLSIOR Experience

XLSIOR typically spans 5-7 days in late August, consisting of daily parties that rotate between various stunning venues across Mykonos. The schedule usually includes daytime pool parties at luxury beach clubs and resorts (typically starting around 4 PM), sunset parties at scenic locations overlooking the Aegean, main night events running from midnight until sunrise, and massive closing parties that often continue well into the following day.

What sets XLSIOR apart is its production quality. The festival invests heavily in elaborate stage designs, state-of-the-art sound systems, lighting installations, and professional dancers - along with some of your favorite OnlyFans “stars”. The performances and shows often incorporate Greek mythological themes with added thirst.

Signature Venues

Over the years, XLSIOR has utilized some of Mykonos's most spectacular locations. The cliffside club Cavo Paradiso is often home to the festival's biggest nights. Super Paradise Beach hosts legendary daytime events, while Ftelia Beach provides space for more intimate gatherings. Jackie O' Beach Club serves as a frequent daytime party location, and various private villas are used for exclusive VIP events. The venues change somewhat from year to year, but the festival always secures the island's premier party spaces.

Booking a hotel for XLSIOR

If you're planning to go, check our list of top hotels in Mykonos for gay travelers. Book your hotel in advance, as this will be a sell-out event. Hotel prices will increase significantly during the event.

Music and DJs

XLSIOR typically features a roster of international circuit superstars and house music legends. Past headliners have included Tom Stephan, Offer Nissim, Phil Romano, Ben Bakson, Aron, Dan Slater, and Nina Flowers.

The musical style tends toward high-energy tribal house and progressive house, with some venues offering different sounds to create varied experiences throughout the week.

The Crowd and Scene

XLSIOR attracts a distinctly international crowd with particularly strong contingents from the United States, Brazil, Western Europe (especially Italy, Spain, France), Australia, and the Middle East.

The clientele tends to be predominantly male and fitness-focused. The festival has developed a reputation for an exceptionally fit crowd, with many attendees planning their workout regimens months in advance. This has earned it the nickname "XLSIOR Bodies" in some circuit circles.

The crowd skews toward the 30-45 age range and tends to be more affluent than many other circuit events, with many attendees staying in luxury accommodations. There’s an XLSIOR asthetic you may recognise from the social feeds of notable Instagays.

Ticketing and Costs

XLSIOR operates on a tiered ticketing system with regular passes giving access to all main events, VIP passes offering expedited entry and premium areas, and VVIP/Platinum options including private tables, bottle service, and exclusive areas.

Pricing has steadily increased over the years, with full-week passes now running from €300-400 for standard admission to well over €1,000 for premium experiences. Individual event tickets are also available but typically cost more in total than purchasing packages.

Beyond tickets, XLSIOR has earned a reputation as one of the most expensive circuit festivals when considering the total cost. Accommodation prices on Mykonos spike dramatically during the festival. Table service at parties can run into thousands of euros. Transportation on the island becomes premium-priced, and restaurants and bars throughout Mykonos increase prices during peak season.

The Broader Impact

XLSIOR has significantly impacted Mykonos's economy and reputation. The festival brings thousands of high-spending visitors to the island during an already busy period, with many businesses reporting their highest revenue days of the year during the event.

For the global circuit scene, XLSIOR has raised the bar for production values and created a model that other festivals have sought to emulate. It has also helped establish August as "Mykonos season" for gay travelers worldwide, with many planning annual trips around the festival dates.