EDC Weekend's First-Ever LGBTQ+ Pool Party Experience

Queer ravers have long joined the revelry at Las Vegas’s Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) Weekend. However, a dedicated LGBTQ+ daytime experience during the iconic festival has been noticeably absent - until now. This year will mark the debut of Ultra Load: The Gay Village, a first-of-its-kind LGBTQ+ day-club and pool party experience that’s set to transform EDC Weekend forever.

Taking place May 16–18 from 12 PM to 7 PM at Alexis Park All Suite Resort, Ultra Load promises a bold celebration of music, love, and unapologetic self-expression. Produced by Desert Days, the event is expected to welcome 3,000 LGBTQ+ attendees and allies into a one-of-a-kind immersive village featuring internationally renowned DJs, top-tier production, and a high-energy, affirming atmosphere tailored specifically for queer festival goers.

EDC Weekend is the largest electronic dance music festival in North America, drawing over 500,000 attendees annually to Las Vegas. With its spectacular light shows, state-of-the-art stages, and electrifying DJ sets, it’s a global destination for EDM lovers. Ultra Load is offering an inclusive, vibrant sanctuary that amplifies queer voices and fosters community right in the heart of the party.

The three-day celebration kicks off Friday, May 16, with poolside sets from Brad Lee and Nick Stracener, followed by Jungle Room performances by Derek Monteiro and Sam Gee. Saturday’s lineup includes outdoor beats from Erik Vilar and Hector Fonseca, while host Joshua Flores and DJ Jon Klaft bring Otter Pop Las Vegas indoors. Sunday brings the weekend to a spectacular close with Dawna Montell, Dustin, and Kipnotik by the pool, and Janky and Sammy Taylor wrapping up the party inside.

In addition to its stellar musical lineup, Ultra Load: The Gay Village will feature an all-gay service staff—an industry first for a major Las Vegas resort pool—and premium VIP cabanas, tables, and lounge seating. Guests will enjoy all-day food and drink options, indoor and outdoor entertainment, and exclusive activations by queer-owned businesses. The event is not only a celebration, but a platform for queer artists, performers, and entrepreneurs to shine.

To support the local community, Desert Days is offering discounted tickets for Nevada residents with valid ID and reduced hotel rates for those staying through May 20. These efforts reflect the event’s deeper mission: to uplift and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community that helps make Las Vegas a world-renowned destination for diversity, creativity, and nightlife.

As Ultra Load prepares to welcome revelers from across the globe, it aims to become a cornerstone of EDC Weekend and a must-attend experience that continues to elevate queer voices and spaces. More than just a party, Ultra Load aims to be a movement—a joyous, unapologetic assertion that the LGBTQ+ community not only belongs at EDC Weekend but is now at its beating heart.

Tickets and full details are available at desertdays.co.