The Festival takes place on Palm Canyon Dr from Amado to Baristo and on Tahquitz and Arenas Rd between Indian Canyon and Belardo. for two days to accommodate the Pride Festival’s move to downtown Palm Springs.
In 2014, the City of Palm Springs approves closing Palm Canyon Dr. rides in Palm Springs Pride Parade alongside 4,000 same sex couples who were married in San Francisco this past spring. In 2004, Ron Oden, the first openly gay Mayor of Palm Springs, and the first openly gay and African American mayor of any city in the U.S. In 1995, the Pride Parade and Festival moved from Memorial Day Weekend to Veterans Day Weekend. The parade made its way down Williams Road to Mesquite and into Demuth Park where the festival was held. The first Palm Springs Pride Parade named the Desert Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade took to the streets of Palm Springs with 35 units and was greeted by hundreds of men and women. The first ever Palm Springs Pride celebration took place in 1986 as a simple dinner and variety show showcasing the talents of local entertainers at the Riviera Resort grand ballroom and promoted as “Sizzle.” The festival includes a big parade, music stages, DJs, food vendors, and plenty of other entertainment options catered to all tastes. Palm Springs Pride is a unique pride festival and the largest LGBTQ gathering in the Coachella Valley.
