Palm Springs Pride Festival & Parade: Celebrate 40 Years of Pride

If you're visiting Palm Springs in early November, immerse yourself in one of Southern California's most vibrant and welcoming Pride celebrations, a four-day festival culminating in a colorful parade through downtown.

Palm Springs Pride Festival

When: Thursday, November 6 through Sunday, November 9, 2025

Admission: FREE

Sip, sashay, and celebrate in the Pride Event Zone throughout downtown Palm Springs. This friendly festival offers a unique Southern California experience where you can enjoy beverages and food with friends while exploring a diverse array of artists, entertainers, beverage stations, and vendors selling everything from jewelry to snacks and sweets. Combined with Palm Canyon Drive's excellent shopping, restaurants, clubs, and entertainment venues, the result is like no other place.

Festival Highlights:

1. Over 200 marketplace exhibitors, non-profit organizations, and food and beverage vendors
2. Children's Headquarters (CHQ) with games and crafts for young visitors
3. Youth Zone hosted by Safe Schools Desert Cities
4. Multiple stages featuring live entertainment throughout the event

Festival Schedule by Day

Thursday, November 6

5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

1. Arenas District: Dia de la Reina | Day of the Queen

Friday, November 7

3:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.

1. Arenas District Stage: 3:00 p.m. start
2. Pride Stage (Palm Canyon & Amado): 6:00 p.m. start

Saturday, November 8 (times vary by stage)

1. Arenas District Stage: 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
2. Palm Canyon Dr (between Amado and Baristo): 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
3. Pride Stage (Palm Canyon & Amado): 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
4. Community Stage (Tahquitz & Palm Canyon): 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, November 9

1. La Crema Wines Pride Parade Stage: 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
2. Arenas District Stage: 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
3. Palm Canyon Dr (between Amado and Baristo): 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
4. Stage at Palm Canyon & Amado: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
5. Pride Community Stage (Tahquitz & Palm Canyon): 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Festival Locations:

This community celebration spans multiple downtown venues:

1. Palm Canyon Drive between Amado and Baristo
2. Streets around the downtown park on Museum Way
3. Arenas District between Indian Canyon and S. Calle Encilia

Palm Springs Pride Parade

When: Sunday, November 9, 2025

Parade Start Time: 10:00 a.m.

The vibrant parade kicks off in the trendy Uptown Design District at the corner of Tachevah and Palm Canyon Drive. From there, the celebration travels south through downtown Palm Springs, showcasing elaborate floats, community groups, performers, and enthusiastic spectators lining the streets. The parade concludes at the entrance to the Pride Festival at Amado, where festivities continue throughout the day.

A Historic Milestone: The LGBTQ+ Monument

This year's Pride celebration holds special significance with the unveiling of the LGBTQ+ Monument, commemorating the 40th Anniversary of Pride in Palm Springs. This civil rights sculpture serves as a visible and lasting tribute to the profound contributions of the LGBTQ+ community to the City of Palm Springs.

The monument thoughtfully incorporates three long-recognized symbols of gay solidarity and liberation:

1. The Triangle - a symbol reclaimed from persecution to represent strength and remembrance
2. The Lambda - the Greek letter adopted as a symbol of gay rights activism
3. The Rainbow - the universal symbol of LGBTQ+ pride and diversity

This permanent installation celebrates Palm Springs' identity as a welcoming destination and honors the community that has shaped the city's culture, economy, and spirit for generations.

Important Parking Information

While there is plenty of parking in the downtown area, spots fill up quickly, especially on parade day. Plan to arrive early and consider these convenient parking options, all within a five to ten-minute walk from the action:

Best Option: City's New Downtown Parking Garage (FREE!)

1. Access from North Palm Canyon Drive at Amado Road in front of the Hyatt Hotel
2. Please note: 4-hour time limit for parking.

Additional Free Parking Areas:

1. E. Amado Road and adjacent side streets toward the Convention Center
2. E. Andreas Road toward Calle El Segundo
3. Ruth Hardy Park area (1/3 mile east of Palm Canyon Dr. on Tamarisk)
4. Katherine Finchey Elementary School (1/2 mile east of Palm Canyon Dr. on Tachevah)

Paid Parking:

1. Downtown Parking Structure, 275 S Indian Canyon Dr. (limited time restrictions apply)

Pro Tip: Park away from Palm Canyon Drive for easier access and less stress during both the Festival and Parade.

Visitor Tips

1. Arrive early on Sunday to secure good parade viewing spots along Palm Canyon Drive.
2. Stay hydrated and wear sunscreen. November in Palm Springs offers beautiful weather, but plenty of sunshine.
3. Visit the LGBTQ+ Monument to witness this historic addition to Palm Springs' landscape.
4. Explore multiple stages throughout the festival to experience diverse entertainment.
5. Bring the whole family. The Children's Headquarters and Youth Zone make this an inclusive celebration for all ages.
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The Palm Springs Pride Festival and Parade is a beloved tradition that brings together locals and visitors in a joyful celebration of diversity, inclusion, and community spirit. This 40th anniversary celebration, marked by the unveiling of the LGBTQ+ Monument, is a significant moment in the city's history. Whether you're part of the LGBTQ+ community or an ally, this event captures the welcoming, vibrant essence that makes Palm Springs special.

For more information and a complete schedule of Pride weekend events, visit https://www.pspride.org/

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay