Eurovision 2026 Final in Thessaloniki: where to watch it with queer friends

Looking for where to watch the Eurovision 2026 final? For a Eurovision night in Thessaloniki on Saturday, May 16, you don’t need much: a screen, a good mood, and queer friends who know every chorus by heart. We’re giving you three ways to watch it — at home, in a bar in the center, or on a balcony — plus ideas for your own watch party and where to continue once the winner is announced.

Eurovision is one of the few nights of the year when the queer community feels like it’s celebrating its own holiday. If you want to see what a regular night out in our city looks like, take a look at the guide to Enola, the gay bar of Thessaloniki. Here, we’re getting to the basics: how to watch the final with your people.

Eurovision in Thessaloniki: three ways to watch the final

The final lasts for hours, with lots of songs, interval acts, and a vote that keeps the suspense going until the end. Choose the option that fits your mood and the size of your group.

Watch party at home

The classic choice. You gather in a living room, everyone brings something, and you control the sound so every comment can be heard. It’s ideal if your group wants a scoreboard, loud singing, and free criticism of every costume.

In a bar in the center with a screen

Some bars in the center put up a screen for the final, especially around Ladadika and Eleftherias Square. Not all of them do it every year, so ask or check their social media before you head out. If you’re a big group, go early to find a spot with a good view.

On a balcony or rooftop

In mid-May, Thessaloniki already has a summer vibe. A projector on a white wall, a few cushions, and a speaker are enough to turn your balcony into the liveliest stage in the neighborhood. Just let the neighbors know there’ll be plenty of “douze points.”

How to set up your own Eurovision party

A good Eurovision party in Thessaloniki doesn’t need a big budget. It needs a little preparation and a lot of playfulness.

1. Scoreboard: write the final’s countries on a piece of paper and let everyone score them. At the end, compare with the real results.
2. Eurovision bingo: make cards with the classics: costume change on stage, fan in the hair, key change, flames, a love ballad.
3. Adopt a country: each person “takes” a contestant and supports them with a color, a flag, or an accessory. Nothing expensive is needed.
4. Finger food: nobody wants to miss the vote while washing dishes.
5. Playlist for before and after: put on favorite songs from past contests while you wait for the broadcast to start.

You can find the exact start time and where the final is broadcast on the official Eurovision.tv site. Check it early so you don’t miss the first songs.

Why Eurovision is a queer celebration

For many of us, Eurovision was the first time we saw something over-the-top, theatrical, and free on TV. Its stage loves drag, camp, and big voices, and the community loves it right back. That’s why final night has become almost a ritual for queer groups all across Europe.

This year the contest takes place in Vienna, after Austria’s win last year. If you want to remember how we got here, read about JJ’s win with “Wasted Love” in 2025. And if you’re interested in the contest’s relationship with politics, we’ve written about the changes and Eurovision’s “neutrality”.

Eurovision has also passed through our own dance floor. Do you remember Gianna Terzi’s visit to Enola? It was one of those nights that showed how close the contest scene is to the city’s nightlife.

Akyllas, “Ferto,” and the vote

This year Greece is represented by Akyllas with “Ferto,” and the semifinal week has already raised the temperature among friends. Whatever happens, supporting our own entry with your voice and a flag is half the fun.

Remember that from Greece you can’t vote for the Greek entry. But you can vote for your favorite songs from other countries, using the methods announced during the broadcast. One tip for the group: agree in advance on which countries you’re supporting, so the living room doesn’t turn into parliament.

After the final: where to continue the night

When the voting ends, the adrenaline is high and nobody wants to go home. If you want to keep going after the final, Enola opens at 23:30, as every night of the year, at 19 Valaoritou, on the 2nd floor.

• How to get there: the nearest metro stop is “Venizelou,” about a 3–5 minute walk away. If you’re coming from Ladadika, you’re already right next door.
• Reservation: not needed for a regular visit. For a large group, contact the Enola team in advance.
• Entry: 18+ with ID, no dress code. Come as you are, even with the flag of the country you supported.
• Safer space: zero tolerance for harassment, racism, transphobia, and misgendering. If you need anything, talk to the Enola team.

For more ideas, see how to organize a night out with a big group and how to end the night properly in the center. Whatever song wins, a Eurovision night in Thessaloniki is worth ending on the dance floor.