While many cities hold their gay pride celebrations in June during Pride month, Palm Springs, which endures brutally hot summers, makes good sense to schedule its Palm Springs Great Pride festival in early November (3-5 November 2017). Various events also take place in the days leading up to the big weekend, starting with Halloween the week before.
Although you may think of Palm Springs primarily as a gay and lesbian vacation spot, this small town an hour’s drive from Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, and Phoenix has a substantial community of year-round and seasonal LGBT residents. It’s no wonder, then, that the city’s gay pride celebration has become one of the most popular community events over the years, even if it’s not as crowded as the two LGBT events for which the region is more famous: Dinah Shore Weekend / Palm Springs Women’s Weekend (March 28-April 2, 2018) and Palm Springs White Party (April 27-30, 2018), a gay dance and pool party.
Palm Springs Pride Events
Beautiful downtown Palm Springs serves as the central location for major Pride events. These events are free, pedestrian-friendly, and include music, DJs, dancing, shopping, food vendors, entertainers, entertainers, beverage gardens, exhibitors, nonprofits, clubs, and more.
- Pride 5K Run / Walk : Come Saturday morning for this charity run / walk. The event starts on Palm Canyon Drive at West Chino Drive, goes 3.1 miles through the Old Las Palmas neighborhood.
- Block Party – This takes place on Saturday night along the gay bar on Arenas Road. Includes the Palm Springs Dyke March Rally; DJs; and music from pop, drag, and rock and roll artists. From 21 years.
- Pride Parade – Don’t party too late on Saturday night; otherwise, you will miss the main event of Pride weekend: the Pride Parade on Sunday morning. It is scheduled for 10 am to noon along Palm Canyon Drive. Each year’s parade features a special theme and great marshals.
- Palm Springs Pride Festival : There is also the Palm Springs Pride Festival long weekend located in the heart of downtown Palm Springs. The festival features multiple stages for more than 100 artists, plus a children’s venue with games, arts, and crafts.
Palm Springs Pride Artists
Many renowned artists appear at Pride activities each year. Previous artists have included the English Beat, Jinx Titanic and Ladykillers, and the Book of Love.
Palm Springs Pride Travel Partners
These companies have special prices for Pride attendees: Alaska Airlines, Hard Rock Hotel, Saguaro, Ace Hotel & Swim Club and Hyatt Palm Springs.
What to pack
Before leaving for the colorful Pride weekend in Palm Springs, be sure to pack these desert essentials: water bottle, sunscreen, and hat. Don’t forget your rainbow colored gear.
Palm Springs Gay Resources
Many of the city’s gay bars, gay hotels and resorts, and popular gay restaurants have special events and parties during Pride weekend. Check out local LGBT resources for more information. These include the Gay Desert Guide, the Desert Gay Tourism Guild, the Palm Springs Tourism Office LGBT web guide, the weekly Desert Guide, and the monthly Rage Magazine.
