Photos: THT
Palm Springs, CA (The Hollywood Times) 10/9/26 – The 35th edition of The Dinah, held September 30 through October 4, 2026, was nothing short of spectacular. Borrowing a sentiment from American track star Sha’Carri Richardson, who returned to win Olympic gold in 2024 after missing the 2020 Games, “I’m not back, I’m better.”
That same spirit perfectly captures The Dinah 2026. Some might even argue that this year’s celebration deserves a gold medal of its own as one of the most electrifying LGBTQ+ events in the world.
Saturday and Sunday’s pool parties featured dazzling dancers, sensational DJs, and twerk contests worthy of a championship round of America’s Got Talent. Saturday’s competition began with several enthusiastic contestants before narrowing to two finalists: Jenny from Pittsburgh and Dia from Las Vegas. In a delightful surprise, both were declared winners. Thanks to the generosity of new Dinah event producer Rose Garcia, each received a Premium Dinah 2027 pass.
The excitement continued with a DJ battle, where DJ Felicia claimed top honors.
While The Dinah 2026 will certainly be remembered for its spirited contests, dynamic DJs, and outstanding musical lineup, including Da Brat, Hayley Kiyoko, Blimes Brixton, Mama Duke, The Aces, Sasha Keable, and many others, its greatest achievement was the extraordinary sense of community, acceptance, togetherness, and joy that filled the five-day celebration.
Sunday’s Sapphic Splash Party featured Mama Duke performing her hit song, “It Feels So Good.”
And here’s a little tea for our readers: Mama Duke wanted everyone to know that she’s single!
Attendees traveled from across the country and around the world to experience what might best be described, in Disney terms, as the happiest and most magical place on Earth for lesbians and queer women.
At Saturday’s pool party, we met a woman who had traveled all the way from Israel for a remarkable itinerary of cultural highlights: an Indiana Fever playoff game in Las Vegas, a TLC concert, and, of course, The Dinah. She also enthusiastically shared that she had enjoyed The Dinah’s singles event.
It was a wonderful reminder of how this celebration connects people across borders, backgrounds, and experiences.
One of the most meaningful aspects of The Dinah 2026 was its embrace of the diverse gender spectrum. Among the attendees were nonbinary and transgender individuals who found a welcoming environment where they could celebrate their identities openly.
One attendee wearing a shirt that read “Lesbian Man” described The Dinah as a place where they felt safe and accepted.
That inclusivity extended to the performers. The dancers represented a broad spectrum of gender expression, from high-femme performers in bikinis and high heels to the masculine-presenting duo J. Kiilem and King Kelezz.
The comedy lineup was equally diverse, featuring Cameron Esposito, known for the series Take My Wife; A.B. Farrelly, whose comedy explores his experiences as a transgender man navigating public spaces; and Pink Foxx, a transgender woman of color whose comedy special, For Foxx Sake, showcases her distinctive perspective and fearless humor.
Together, these performers reflected the beautiful complexity of the LGBTQ+ community and reinforced The Dinah’s commitment to creating a space where everyone could feel seen, appreciated, and celebrated.
A welcome addition to The Dinah 2026 was the expanded pool-party experience, with both host hotels offering lively celebrations featuring outstanding DJs, music, and dancing.
Saturday’s dance contest brought another level of excitement, with performances impressive enough to rival those seen on So You Think You Can Dance.
The Hilton’s Sunday pool party concluded with a playful duck contest, sending attendees into the final stretch of the weekend with laughter and infectious enthusiasm.
The Hilton Palm Springs and overflow hotel, Hotel ZOSO, proved to be excellent accommodations for the festivities. Their convenient downtown locations placed guests within walking distance of numerous restaurants, bars, and attractions.
Hunters, the popular LGBTQ+ nightlife destination, hosted several evening parties, offering a spacious dance floor and outdoor patio that kept the celebration going well into the night.
We also took advantage of Palm Springs’ wonderful dining scene, enjoying delicious meals at Sherman’s Deli & Bakery, La Bonita’s, and Inka Peruvian Cuisine.
The Black and White Party and Hollywood Party brought glamour, creativity, and personal expression to a whole new level.
A dedicated photo area and red carpet gave attendees the opportunity to experience their own Hollywood star moment, posing for photographs and showing off their fabulous evening attire.
Among the standout looks was Josselyn, one of the event hosts, who dazzled in a sparkling silver suit, matching pants, and shimmering shoes reminiscent of Michael Jackson’s iconic stage footwear.
Throughout the evening, guests arrived in silky black dresses, tailored suits, crisp white linen, ties, cowboy hats, and dramatic spiked heels.
The range of fashion was extraordinary.
The stereotypical flannel shirts historically associated with lesbian fashion have long since given way to a wonderfully diverse spectrum of personal style. At The Dinah, that evolution was on full display in what can only be described as lesbian chic and lesbian glamour.
Whether sophisticated, edgy, playful, masculine, feminine, or somewhere beautifully in between, attendees expressed themselves with confidence and flair.
The atmosphere was electric, the energy kinetic, and the dance floors packed.
One of the defining reasons The Dinah 2026 was such a success was the extraordinary dedication of producer Rose Garcia.
Throughout the five-day celebration, Garcia seemed to be everywhere at once.
She judged twerk and dance contests, posed for selfies with attendees, checked on VIP lounges, coordinated with DJs and performers, energized audiences, and personally thanked guests for their support.
Her hands-on approach was evident in virtually every aspect of the event.
Garcia reminded me of Sade’s unforgettable 1980s hit, “Smooth Operator.”
She managed an enormous undertaking with charisma, graciousness, beauty, an unmatched work ethic, and meticulous attention to detail.
What made her presence especially meaningful was her ability to make attendees feel personally welcomed and celebrated. Rather than remaining behind the scenes, she immersed herself in the festivities, connecting with guests and making sure the experience lived up to its reputation.
The results spoke for themselves.
Whether meeting first-time visitors or longtime Dinah veterans, we consistently heard the same message: people felt welcome, appreciated, and eager to return.
Some attendees were celebrating their very first Dinah, while others were marking their twentieth. Many told us they were already planning to attend again in 2027.
That kind of loyalty doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built through years of community, shared experiences, and the knowledge that there’s a place where you can simply be yourself.
The Dinah 2026 lived up to its reputation as one of the world’s biggest and most beloved celebrations for lesbians and queer women.
But what makes The Dinah truly special is something that extends far beyond the pool parties, celebrity performances, fashion, and nightlife.
It’s the feeling of belonging.
It’s the friendships formed between strangers, the freedom to express yourself without judgment, and the opportunity to celebrate a community that continues to grow and evolve.
The Dinah is more than a party. It’s a celebration of people who welcome, accept, and love one another for who they are.
And there’s wonderful news for those already looking forward to next year.
Rose Garcia and Bella have informally shared that they aren’t one-hit wonders. They’re planning to return as producers of The Dinah 2027, with official dates expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
If this year’s festivities were any indication, there is plenty more magic ahead.
See you at The Dinah 2027!
By Sara Collas | The Hollywood Times
