From the Human Rights Campaign’s inspiring gatherings and the Hyatt’s colorful festivities to Pulp Vixen rocking Hunter’s and the excitement building throughout downtown, Palm Springs is celebrating four decades of Pride in spectacular fashion.
Palm Springs, CA (The Hollywood Times) 11/6/26 – Rainbow flags are flying, music is filling the streets, and Palm Springs is once again welcoming visitors from near and far as Greater Palm Springs Pride celebrates its milestone 40th anniversary, November 6–8, 2026.
This year’s theme, “Be Included,” captures the spirit of a city that has long embraced the LGBTQ+ community. What began as a modest celebration four decades ago has grown into one of Southern California’s most anticipated Pride festivals, bringing together residents, visitors, entertainers, activists, businesses, and community organizations.
The Hollywood Times, a proud media partner of Greater Palm Springs Pride, has been covering the festivities throughout the week, from meaningful gatherings supporting LGBTQ+ equality to lively musical performances, community celebrations, and the excitement building across downtown.
And the main Pride weekend is just beginning!
The festivities began gathering momentum earlier in the week as Palm Springs businesses, volunteers, and community organizations prepared for the thousands of visitors expected throughout the anniversary celebration.
On Wednesday, November 4, Desert Regional Medical Center hosted its annual Pride flag unfurling, a cherished tradition that has grown from a small hospital gathering into an important community event.
Rich Ramhoff, Group Director of Marketing for Desert Care Network, welcomed attendees and reflected on how the ceremony has evolved. What initially involved a handful of hospital employees unfurling the flag and taking a quick photograph has become a larger occasion bringing together hospital leadership, city officials, community members, and LGBTQ+ supporters.
The ceremony served as a reminder that Pride is about more than colorful flags and weekend festivities. It is about visibility, acceptance, community involvement, and the ongoing pursuit of equality.
Throughout downtown, crews continued their final preparations as businesses readied themselves for the crowds. KESQ News Channel 3 captured the excitement surrounding the Arenas District, where residents, volunteers, and business owners were preparing for one of the city’s busiest weekends.
Volunteers such as Randy James spoke about returning year after year because of the people and the fundraising efforts that make the celebration meaningful.
The Arenas District Walkabout on Thursday evening, November 5, brought additional excitement to the downtown entertainment district, offering another opportunity for residents and visitors to celebrate the beginning of Pride weekend.
For Palm Springs, Pride is not simply an annual event. It is part of the city’s identity.
Among the most meaningful gatherings leading into Pride weekend was the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) 2026 Convening for Change and 25th Annual Palm Springs Coachella Valley Garden Party Weekend, held November 5–8.
The weekend began Thursday, November 5, with a beautiful welcome reception hosted by David Huebner and Duane McWaine at their Palm Springs home.
The afternoon gathering brought together HRC supporters, community leaders, advocates, and friends for conversation, connection, and a shared commitment to LGBTQ+ equality.
The festivities began at 3:30 p.m. with a special Women LEAD Welcome Hour, welcoming women and nonbinary attendees, followed by the broader Convening for Change Welcome Reception, which continued until 6:30 p.m.
With the magnificent San Jacinto Mountains providing a picturesque backdrop, guests enjoyed a sparkling pool, lush landscaping, beautifully presented refreshments, and an inviting atmosphere.
HRC’s signature blue-and-yellow equality flags decorated the venue, while speakers addressed attendees from an elevated terrace overlooking the gathering.
The reception provided an opportunity to reconnect with longtime friends, meet fellow supporters, and celebrate the importance of continued advocacy for LGBTQ+ equality.
The Women LEAD gathering also highlighted the importance of women’s leadership and the participation of women and nonbinary community members in the broader movement for equality.
Adding a special touch to the HRC festivities was Teneral Cellars, owned by entrepreneur and community supporter Jill Osur.
Teneral is providing wine for HRC events throughout Palm Springs Pride weekend, demonstrating how businesses can support organizations dedicated to equality, leadership, and community engagement.
Among the wines featured at the welcome reception were Teneral’s 2023 Estate Grenache Rosé from Amador County and its 2023 Untamed White Blend from California’s Sierra Foothills.
The bottles, featuring the winery’s distinctive colorful dragonfly artwork, added an elegant touch to the afternoon.
As a longtime friend of Jill Osur, it was especially wonderful to see her winery supporting these important community gatherings.
The reception was a beautiful combination of meaningful conversation, generosity, advocacy, and celebration, all essential elements of what makes Palm Springs Pride special.
The HRC gathering also marked the beginning of a full weekend of programming, including Friday’s Convening for Change, featuring discussions about LGBTQ+ issues and an opportunity for attendees to participate in a question-and-answer session with HRC President Kelley Robinson.
The celebration continues with the 25th Annual Palm Springs Coachella Valley Garden Party Weekend, bringing together supporters and advocates for one of the organization’s signature desert gatherings.
As Palm Springs celebrates four decades of Pride, HRC’s presence serves as a powerful reminder that equality requires ongoing engagement, leadership, and community support.
The festivities continued at the Hyatt Regency Palm Springs, where live music, festive costumes, and a colorful outdoor atmosphere brought the spirit of Pride to downtown.
One of the highlights was a lively performance featuring Leanna, who arrived in a fabulous rainbow-inspired outfit complete with a vibrant multicolored tutu, playful accessories, and a festive headpiece.
Performing alongside her spouse, Miguel, on percussion, and their fellow musicians, Leanna brought personality, enthusiasm, and plenty of fun to the outdoor celebration.
Strings of colorful lights and miniature Pride flags decorated the performance area, creating a joyful setting as visitors enjoyed the entertainment.
Adding even more excitement, the Pride Ferris wheel opened directly in front of the performance area, bringing another burst of color and energy to the festivities.
With music filling the evening air, colorful lights glowing, and friends gathering throughout downtown, the Hyatt celebration captured the joyful, welcoming atmosphere that makes Palm Springs Pride such a memorable experience.
It was a reminder that Pride is also about having fun, expressing individuality, and celebrating with the people who make our lives brighter.
The celebration continued Thursday evening, November 5, at Hunter’s Palm Springs, where owner Jen Seymour welcomed an enthusiastic crowd for a special Pride kickoff featuring Pulp Vixen’s “Pop Royalty” tribute to Michael Jackson, Prince, and Bruno Mars.
Held from 7 to 9 p.m., the lively celebration brought music, dancing, and plenty of Pride spirit to the heart of the Arenas District.
Pulp Vixen delivered three entertaining sets, celebrating the music of three legendary performers while keeping the crowd energized throughout the evening.
The wonderful turnout reflected the excitement building throughout Palm Springs as the city prepared for its milestone anniversary weekend.
Among those enjoying the festivities were Mary Alice Prescott, promoter Marci Rosenblum, The Hollywood Times Publisher and Senior Editor Valerie Milano, and recording artist Corday, who is also participating in this year’s Pride celebrations.
It was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with friends, enjoy live entertainment, and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community in one of downtown’s most recognizable nightlife destinations.
With fantastic music, familiar faces, and an enthusiastic crowd, Hunter’s demonstrated why it continues to be such a popular gathering place during Palm Springs Pride.
Recording artist Corday is adding her own special brand of humor, music, and personality to this year’s anniversary festivities.
Her latest release, “Find Another Girl to Fix (Milano Remix),” is available on streaming platforms, bringing a playful musical connection to the weekend.
Corday will also be part of Sunday’s Pride Parade festivities with a spirited group of “lesbian fixer-uppers“ wearing rainbow-colored hard hats and celebrating with a little construction-themed humor.
The message? When something needs fixing, sometimes you just need to call a lesbian!
The fun continues on Sunday, November 8, when Corday performs on the Pride Community Stage at 3:30 p.m., bringing more music, laughter, and community spirit to the celebration.
For additional information about Corday and her music, visit corday.net.
The centerpiece of the weekend will be the Greater Palm Springs Pride Parade, stepping off Sunday, November 8, at 10 a.m.
The parade will travel along Palm Canyon Drive, bringing colorful floats, entertainers, community organizations, local businesses, and thousands of enthusiastic spectators together for a spectacular celebration.
Throughout the weekend, visitors can enjoy live entertainment, DJs, community stages, food vendors, shopping, organizations, and an incredible variety of LGBTQ+ talent.
As downtown prepares for the crowds, local businesses and public safety officials are working together to support a safe and welcoming celebration.
The parade and festival remain free to attend, reflecting the spirit of inclusion that defines Greater Palm Springs Pride.
While the music, costumes, parties, and parade create unforgettable memories, Greater Palm Springs Pride represents something much deeper.
It celebrates generations of individuals who fought for visibility, dignity, legal protections, and the freedom to live openly and authentically.
It recognizes the volunteers, advocates, entertainers, businesses, and community leaders who continue working to make Palm Springs a welcoming destination.
And it reminds us that Pride belongs to everyone, longtime residents, first-time visitors, young people discovering their community, and those who helped build the foundation of the LGBTQ+ movement.
From HRC’s inspiring Convening for Change reception and Jill Osur’s generous Teneral Cellars sponsorship to Leanna and Miguel’s lively performance at the Hyatt, Pulp Vixen’s fabulous tribute at Hunter’s, and Corday’s upcoming Pride Parade appearance and Community Stage performance, the city’s 40th anniversary celebration is already creating wonderful memories.
For The Hollywood Times, being a media partner of Greater Palm Springs Pride means more than covering a weekend of festivities. It means celebrating the individuals, organizations, businesses, and entertainers who make this community extraordinary.
Forty years of love. Forty years of visibility. Forty years of community.
And in Palm Springs, the celebration is just getting started.
Happy Pride, Palm Springs!
For the complete entertainment lineup, festival information, and parade details, visit www.pspride.org.
The Hollywood Times is a proud media partner of Greater Palm Springs Pride 2026.
By Valerie Milano, Publisher and Senior Editor, The Hollywood Times
