Palm Springs Gay Events

January

Annual Desert Plein Air Exhibit/La Quinta Arts Foundation

Annual art exhibit that showcases painters that paint outdoors in the open air. Usually the third week in January. Call 760-564-1244

Palm Springs International Film Festival

Featuring films from around the world at theaters in Palm Springs, this is one of the country's largest film festivals. Usually in mid January. Call 760-322-2930

Bob Hope Chrysler Classic

This famous golf tournament is located at several area golf courses. Usually the third week in January. Call (760) 346-8184

Martin Luther King Weekend

Saturday, January 19, 2008 "Mr. Cathedral City" Contest
CCBC Resort - $1000 in cash and Prizes


 

February

Verizon Tour de Palm Springs Bike Event

A bicycle race through Palm Springs and on several different courses. A portion of the proceeds benefit local charities. In early February. Call (760) 568-2800

National Date Festival and County Fair

A bicycle race through Palm Springs and on several different courses of various lengths. A portion of the proceeds benefit local charities. In early February. Call (760) 568-2800

Frank Sinatra Celebrity Golf Tournament

The Renaissance Esmeralda Resort hosts this tournament to benefit the Barbara Sinatra Children's Center. In mid-February. Call (760) 674-8447

Valentine & Presidents' Weekend

Saturday, February 16, 2008 "Mr. Future President" Contest
CCBC Resort - $1000 in cash and Prizes 

March

La Quinta Arts Festival

All mediums of art submitted by artists from around the world is on display at this outdoor event, accompanied by live entertainment, food, wine and children's activities. Held in mid-March. Call (760) 564-1244

Native American Film and Art Festival

Festival of feature and short films produced by Native Americans at The Camelot Theatres. The festival also includes panel discussions, an art exhibit and a closing party. Located at the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum in mid-March. Call (760) 325-6565

Dinah Shore Weekend

Gay women gather in Palm Springs for a four-day weekend party, organized by San Francisco's ClubSkirts and Cherry Bar Lounge. held in late March. Call (415) 974-5906

Easter Weekend - Arenas Roadfest

April 21 - 23, 2008 Live entertainment, Easter Bonnet Contest

Saturday, March 22, 2008 "Mr. Basket" Contest
CCBC Resort - $1000 in cash and Prizes

April

International Art Fair

The Palm Springs Convention Center hosts an annual fair, held at the same time as a trade-only exhibition of interior design products by DECOR Expo California. Held the first weekend in April. Call (800) 333-7535

Swing'n Dixie Jazz Festival

Jazz musicians from all over the country come to The Riviera Hotel to perform, sponsored by the Dixieland Jazz Society of the Desert. Held the first week in April. Call (760) 333-7932

Dinah Shore Weekend

April 2 - 6, 2008 For the 3nd year, Dinah Shore weekend is being produced by two different organizations: Girlbar and ClubSkirts.

Palm Springs White Party

April 18 - 21, 2008 www.jeffreysanker.com Saturday, April 19, 2008 "Mr. White Party CCBC" Contest CCBC Resort - $1000 in cash and Prizes Hosted by The Jeffrey Sanker organization, this famous annual party is held throughout the greater Palm Springs area at a number of different venues, with the central party and program at the Palm Springs Convention Center. Easter weekend. Call (800) 333-7535

May

Art Workshops

May is the last month of the season to attend weekly art workshops sponsored by the Palm Springs Desert Museum. At the Artists Council Center. Call (760) 325-7186

Smooth Jazz Festival

Jazz musicians play in this annual fundraiser held at the O'Donnell Golf Club, benefitting Hanson House and the Desert Healthcare Foundation. Held mid-May. Call (760) 323-6316

Will Clark's Bad Boys Pool Party

Party at a private 3-acre Cree Estate to meet and party with gay film stars, which has raised almost a half million dollars for L.A. Shanti and AIDS research. Held mid-May. Call (323) 962-8197

Memorial Day Weekend

Saturday, May 24, 2008 "Mr. Cut & Uncut" Contest CCBC Resort - $1000 in cash and Prizes
 

June

Jam Sessions at Melvyn's

Sunday afternoon jam sessions with local musicians at Melvyn's restaurant throughout the month. Call (760) 325-0046

Film Noir Festival

Classic black and white film noir festival at the Camelot Theatres the first weekend in June. Call (760) 325-6565

A Weekend with the King

The Wyndham Palm Springs hotel is the center of festivities, which is a gathering of Elvis' closest friends who reminisce about the King. On Father’s Day weekend. Call (760) 778-8418

July

Desert Film Society

A new film is shown the first Saturday each month at the Camelot Theatres, followed by a discussion. Call (760) 772-3666

VillageFest

Arts, crafts, food, live music, children's activities and a farmers market, along North Palm Canyon Drive from Biristo Road to Amado Road on Thursday nights. Call (800) 927-7256

Street Fair

The city of Palm Desert offers arts, crafts, food and live entertainment in the streets of the downtown area. On weekend mornings. Call (760) 773-2567

Independence Day Weekend

Saturday, July 5, 2008 Mr. Yankee Doodle Dandy Contest at CCBC
CCBC Resort - $1000 in cash and Prizes 

August

First Fridays

The shops in Palm Springs Uptown Heritage Galleries and Antique District are open until 9 PM, the first Friday, along North Palm Canyon Drive between Amado Road and Tachevah Drive. Call (561) 495-0233

Guided Tours: Springs Desert Museum

On the weekends, children's and adult's guided tours are held, showing the permanent collections and changing exhibitions. Call (760) 325-7186

Jazz in the Pines

Outdoor jazz concert held in a grassy amphitheatre. Sponsored by the Idyllwild Arts Academy, a boarding arts high school, at the end of August. Call (909) 659-2171

Dale Jag's Awesome August Party

August 7 - 10, 2008 "Mr. Awesome August" Contest August 9, 2008 CCBC Resort - $1000 in cash and Prizes

Labor Day Weekend

Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films (Shortfest)

DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED Hundreds of short films are shown at the Camelot Theatres at this festival, which usually draws celebrity visitors from Hollywood. Held in mid-September. Call (760) 322-2930  

September

Rocktoberfest

Celebrating the music of the 50s and 60s, performed by some of the musicians of the era, along with an exhibition of classic cars, in downtown Palm Springs. Held the end of September. Call (760) 778-8418

Mall Walks

Daily 7 AM walks at the Palm Springs Mall, sponsored by Walk for Life. Call (760) 327-1319

LaLaPOOLooza

Saturday, September 20, 2008 Hotel Zoso Dare to take the plunge!!! Join us for the World Premiere of this Outrageous Outdoor Musical Fundraiser!
One Night Only! 

October

International Hispanic Film Festival

The Camelot Theatre shows Hispanic-themed and produced films in mid-October. Call (760) 325-6565

Annual Dinner in the Canyons

The social event of the season at the Andreas Canyon, including a three-course gourmet dinner, Native American dancing and music and a silent auction benefitting the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum. Held in mid-October. Call (760) 778-1070

Motorcycle and Hot Rod Weekend

Blocks of streets are closed off for this annual meeting of bikers over a weekend of festivities in mid-October. Call (800) 200-4557

20th Annual Desert AIDS Walk

DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED

The Living Desert Howl-O-Ween

October 29th - 31st, 2008

Arenas Road Halloween Festival

October 31st, 2008 Music, Entertainment, Costume Contest, Prizes

November

Art Affaire

Local and regional artists display their artwork at Whitewater Park in Rancho Mirage accompanied by music by popular jazz musicians. Held in early November. Call (760) 324-4511

Palm Springs Gay Pride Parade

Festival and gay pride parade in Palm Springs and the greater Coachella Valley area. Call (760) 416-8711

Golf Cart Parade

A parade featuring decorated golf carts, marching bands and costumed characters, located along El Paseo in Palm Desert at this family event in early November. Call (760) 346-6111

Greater Palm Springs Pride
Gay Pride is always the 1st weekend in November

Palm Springs Leather Pride
The event always falls on the 2nd weekend in November, following Gay Pride which is always the 1st weekend in November
Palm Springs Leather Order of the Desert invites Leatherfolk from around the world to gather in our Desert Oasis each November for a hot, sexy weekend celebration of Leather/Fetish fellowship and fun. Our 2010 event saw attendees from 26 states and 4 countries!

December

International Tamale Festival

Taste all varieties of tamales in Indio's Old Town, and enjoy live entertainment featuring a parade, mariachis, a carnival and fireworks at this day-long festival. Held in early December. Call (760) 342-6532

Holiday Concert

A performance by the Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Band at the Palm Springs Convention Center. Held in early December. Call (760) 323-8272

Desert Big Band and Jazz Party

Located at the Palm Springs Riviera Resort and Racquet Club, this party hosts many popular jazz musicians. Tickets are $100 per day. Held the end of December. Call (760) 342-6532