By Valerie Milano
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 6/3/25 – After more than three decades of pioneering LGBTQ+ visibility, inclusion, and celebration, Mariah Hanson has announced that she will produce her final Dinah event in September 2025. Hanson, the visionary behind The Dinah—the world’s largest and longest-running music festival for queer women, nonbinary people, and allies—will step down after an extraordinary 34-year run that reshaped queer cultural landscapes.
Scheduled for September 24–28, 2025, at the iconic Riviera Resort in Palm Springs, this final edition promises to be a vibrant send-off for a festival that has become much more than a party—it’s a movement.
Founded in 1991, The Dinah began as a grassroots event and grew into a globally recognized celebration of queer identity and music. Under Hanson’s leadership, the event became a cultural institution, known for its electric atmosphere, iconic pool parties, and groundbreaking performances. The festival has long served as a launchpad for emerging talent, with now-superstars like Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Lizzo, Bebe Rexha, and Doechii among its alumni.
Hanson’s reputation for spotting and showcasing rising stars made The Dinah not only a party destination but also a cultural incubator for the queer community and beyond.
Reflecting on her decision to step down, Hanson shared: “After 34 unforgettable years, I’m stepping away from producing this world-famous celebration of queer joy, freedom, and connection. It’s been the honor of a lifetime to help create space where our community could be bold, wild, and unapologetically ourselves.” Though this chapter of her journey is ending, Hanson is actively seeking the right successors to continue the event’s legacy. Her goal is to ensure that The Dinah remains a space of empowerment, inclusivity, and joy for generations to come.
The 2025 event will offer more than just music and celebration—it will be a momentous tribute to the community and culture that The Dinah helped nurture. Among the most anticipated features is the return of The L Word stars Kate Moennig and Leisha Hailey, who played key roles in elevating the event’s visibility on screen. They’ll be signing their new book So Gay for You and appearing at both the Saturday Pool Party and Saturday night’s celebration.
Fans will get the rare opportunity to purchase one of only 150 exclusive signed copies of the book at the event. Moennig and Hailey’s appearance not only brings the legacy full circle but also honors the bond between pop culture and queer representation.
The entertainment lineup—expected to be unveiled in mid-June—will reflect Hanson’s signature flair for talent and spectacle. With big-name artists, queer icons, and beloved celebrities expected to attend, the final Dinah is shaping up to be one of the most unforgettable in its history.
For Hanson, this final celebration is deeply personal: “This final Dinah is my personal love letter to the community — a celebration that reflects the boldness, beauty, and heart that have always defined who we are.”
Since its inception, The Dinah has provided a sanctuary where LGBTQ+ individuals could gather, be seen, and feel celebrated. It’s this ethos—of freedom, connection, and pride—that Hanson hopes will live on in future editions under new leadership.“While my Dinah chapter is ending, the future is full of possibility in new hands. My hope is that this beloved torch is carried forward — so The Dinah can thrive for another 34 years and beyond,” she said.
Whether you’re a longtime attendee or a first timer, this year’s event offers a rare chance to be part of a historic moment in queer culture.
Tickets and full event details are available now at www.thedinah.com. Don’t miss your opportunity to celebrate a legacy that has touched countless lives and helped define LGBTQ+ culture for more than three decades.
Join the celebration. Dance under the sun. And help write the final chapter of a movement that began in 1991—and changed everything.
