Palm Springs Pride
About This Event
Palm Springs Pride is held in November, not June, because the Coachella Valley is too hot for outdoor events in summer and the town's high season starts in the autumn. Palm Springs has a large gay population and a long run of gay-owned and clothing-optional men's resorts, so Pride weekend is as much about the hotels and pool parties as the parade. The 2026 edition is billed as the 40th.
How it works: events run Friday to Sunday. The festival spreads across Downtown Palm Springs and the Arenas District, the small strip of gay bars on Arenas Road, with stages, a market and block parties at night. The Sunday morning parade, with more than 225 entries listed for 2026, runs south along Palm Canyon Drive from Uptown to Amado Road and lasts about two hours. Standing along the route is free; a paid Skip the Line pass is sold for festival entry.
Practical: the men's resorts and most hotels sell out months ahead, and many have minimum stays over Pride. Days are warm and sunny in early November and nights get cool, so bring layers. Palm Canyon Drive closes to traffic for the parade and parking downtown on Sunday morning is scarce, so walk or take a ride-share in and leave extra time.
On numbers, the organisers say Pride week draws over 200,000 attendees and about $38 million in local spending. That is their figure; one independent guide estimated around 60,000 parade spectators, and we found no official count.
The 2025 edition, themed Be Heard, ran 6 to 9 November with Sister Roma and Holly Near as grand marshals. The organisers have announced the 2026 dates as 6 to 8 November, under the theme Be Included, with the parade at 10:00 on Sunday 8 November.
Parade Route
Where to stay during Palm Springs Pride
via Stay2213 gay bars, clubs & saunas from our guide Purple outline = where the gay scene is concentrated
Schedule & Sub-Events
+ Add EventDetailed schedule coming soon.
Check the official website for the latest programme.
Practical Tips
Stake out a shady spot on the west side of Palm Canyon before 9 a.m.
The free Buzz trolley beats hunting for parking; hop off at Tahquitz Canyon.
Book hotels months in advance for the 40th anniversary weekend.
Videos
Red Carpet at L-Fund Gala 2026 | Luck Be a Lady | Palm Springs LGBTQ+ Community Celebration
