The Best Ways to Enjoy Palm Springs Pride Celebrations

This year’s Palm Springs Pride Week will take place November 1st through the 6th, carrying on a long tradition of spreading education and awareness around the Coachella Valley’s LGBT community. If you have yet to enjoy this uplifting and downright entertaining time of year here in Palm Springs, it is certainly worth the trip, as it is arguably the biggest celebration taking place in the desert. Among the wonderful events you can look forward to this year are the free festival, the parade, and the Equality concert, all promising a great time in the beautiful desert setting of the Coachella Valley.

About Greater Palm Springs Pride

Palm Springs Pride held its first festival in 1969 to support the Stonewall Rebellion in New York, which was a series of protests against illegal police raids taking place throughout the city. The first official pride event in the Coachella Valley took place in 1986, and Greater Palm Springs Pride became a 501(c)(3) in 1997. From these milestones not only for the pride movements locally but nationally and certainly globally, the Palm Springs Pride Parade now expects 175,000 attendees each year, including many talented performers it attracts to the area.

Equality Concert on Arenas Rd: A Kick Off to Pride

A free outdoor concert will be held November 4th to honor those who work to preserve gains and meet equal rights challenges facing the LGBT community. Hosted at the US Bank Stage on Arenas Rd between Indian Canyon Dr. and S. Calle Encilia from 6-10 pm, come out to celebrate Pride under the stars in beautiful downtown Palm Springs. It’s a great way to kick-off your weekend Palm Springs Pride celebration!

Palm Springs Pride Festival 

Taking place Saturday and Sunday, November 5-6, the Festival is known as a premiere pride event throughout Southern California and attracts visitors from around the world. Held in the charming streets of Downtown Palm Springs, the festival offers free admission for everyone hoping to come and enjoy this vibrant community gathering. If you are over 21 you must acquire a wristband in order to enjoy the tasty adult beverages sold throughout the festival, which is an easy step to take toward making it the safest pride weekend ever! The festival starts at 10 am both days, finishing at 10 pm on Saturday and 6 pm on Sunday.

The Palm Springs Pride Parade

One of the main events of the weekend is the Palm Springs Pride Parade, known for being the most scenic pride parade in the world! This year’s parade will take place on November 6th at 10 am, traveling from Uptown at Tachevah and Palm Canyon Drive to Downtown Palm Springs, ending downtown at the front gates of the Palm Springs Pride Festival. With palm tree-lined streets surrounded by a mountainous landscape, and undoubtedly blue skies, the Palm Springs Pride Parade is truly a wonderful experience, and the participants always put on a great show!

If you’ve never experienced the lively and inspiring Palm Springs Pride Parade and Celebration, make this your year to come out to this sunshiny event in the Coachella Valley! POSH Palm Springs Inn is within walking distance of both the Festival and Parade. You’ll have plenty of time to enjoy our hot homemade breakfast Sunday morning before strolling to the parade. Make your reservations now!

Photo Credit: PSPride.org