Event Dates
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Palm Springs Festival of Lights 2025
The Palm Springs Festival of lights is one of the most magical events in this gay capital!
Palm Springs Festival of Lights 2025
The Palm Springs Festival of Lights takes place each year on the first Saturday in December. It is the perfect way to kick start your Christmas and escape the cold with highs of 21 degrees (70 F) in December.
- Palm Springs is a popular escape in December. Book your trip early. Stay at the Palm Springs Hotel, just 3 minutes drive from downtown with a large pool, hip decor, hot tub and warm welcome.
The Parade Route
- Saturday, Awaiting dates – The parade starts at 5.45pm and we recommend you grab your spot on the route early (about an hour before) on Palm Canyon Drive, between Ramon and Tamarisk road – for the best views of the floats.
- The parade is free and the city is full for the weekend. Parking restrictions and road closures are in place so plan your arrival early.
- Around 80 or so floats make their way through the city, including drummer bands, men on horseback and other crazy combinations all hoping to win the competition for best band or best float.
- Over the past 24 years, the parade has featured a host of marching bands, performing groups as well as the Budweiser Clydesdales, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Snoopy and the Gang – and of course Santa and Mrs. Claus!
- More than 100,000 people visit the city for the festival of lights. The parade’s signature floats adorned in thousands of colorful holiday lights and huge Macy’s-style balloons that keeps the crowds coming back for more!
Other Events
- Events include the Villagefest in Downtown Palm Springs, kicking off on Thursday.
- Don’t miss Breakfast with Santa, a delightful breakfast event for families on Saturday.
- Events end on Sunday with the Holiday Banner Awards & Tree Lighting Ceremony, awards presentation and tree lighting at Frances Stevens Park, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- End your weekend with a snapshot with Santa, take photos and make memories at Downtown Park, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Let me know if further assistance is needed!
Where to stay in Palm Springs?
The following hotels are close to the parade and to Palm Springs gay bars on Arenas Road :
Andreas Hotel & Spa, Hilton Palm Springs, Alcazar Palm Springs, Casa Cody
Save on Hotels
Hotels Fill up Fast so plan early!
Book now and on pay arrival.
Where we stay!
The Colony Palms is charming & has
a great pool and offers great value
Official Website
For further information and advice on
The Festival of Lights, Website
Gay Map of Palm Springs
Palm Springs has a number of gay bars and clubs most of which are located around Canyon Drive in down town area.
Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel, 888, East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, Riverside County, California, 92262
All rooms have LCD TVs and iPod docks. A spa and outdoor pool with private cabanas are on site. Guests can also enjoy the on-site restaurant & lounge. The property does not charge a resort fee. Guests can schedule a massage at Spa Del Sol or workout in the gym. A children’s pool is available for younger guests.
400 E Tahquitz Canyon WayPalm Springs, CA 92262
Within to Convention Center and moments from other popular area attractions, this hotel features exceptional on-site facilities, including a full-service day and gourmet dining options.
The is nestled at the foot of the San Jacinto Mountains, only steps from luxury boutiques, art galleries and charming cafes. Palm Springs International Airport is also easily accessible with the hotel's airport . Many recreational activities, such as golfing and hiking are also nearby.
227 N Indian Canyon DrPalm Springs, CA 92262
Set in the heart of , California, this adults only hotel and spa offers a free continental breakfast every morning and a landscaped courtyard with a swimming .
Andreas Hotel & Spa features an outdoor fireplace. Guests can relax with a massage in the full-service spa or in poolside . Additional amenities include free on-site parking and in-room coffeemakers.
175 S Cahuilla RdPalm Springs, CA 92262
Surrounded by lush gardens in Palm Springs, this historic inn offers views of the San Jacinto mountains. With adobe hacienda architecture, each air-conditioned room offers free Wi-Fi and cable TV. The front desk is open 24 hours.
Founded in the 1920s, Casa Cody features guest room with desert-inspired decor. Each includes a private bathroom and mini-fridge. Some offer a full kitchen and fireplace.
68369 Sunair RdCathedral City, CA 92234
Featuring an outdoor swimming pool, this clothing optional resort for gay men is 5 minutes’ drive to Canyon Plaza Shopping Center. Free Wi-Fi is available in all rooms.
Equipped with air conditioning, all rooms at CCBC Resort Hotel include cable TV and an en suite bathroom. A microwave and refrigerator are also provided in all rooms. Select rooms feature a terrace with pool views.
Palm Springs, 92262, United States
Boasting air-conditioned accommodation with a private pool, pool view and a patio, Desert Elegance is set in Palm Springs. It features a garden, garden views and free WiFi throughout the property.
444 East Glen Circle North, Palm Springs, CA 92262, United States
Boasting an outdoor swimming pool and a 24-hour front desk, Number 444 is attractively set in Palm Springs, 1.4 km from Palm Springs Square Shopping Center and 2.5 km from Palm Springs Visitor Center.
Palm Springs, CA
The holiday home provides guests with a patio, a seating area, cable TV, a fully equipped kitchen with a microwave and a fridge, and a private bathroom with bath or shower and free toiletries. Air conditioning and free WiFi.
464 S Calle Encilia, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Biarritz Downtown Condos by Oranj Palm features accommodation with a kitchen. Complimentary WiFi is offered. All units feature air conditioning and a TV. There is also a dishwasher, microwave and a coffee machine.
Palm Springs, CA
The holiday home has 3 bedrooms, a TV with cable channels, an equipped kitchen with a microwave and a fridge, a washing machine, and 3 bathrooms with a bath or shower. Air-conditioned with a private pool
451 Villaggio N, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Downtown Tuscan Haven air-conditioned accommodation with a patio & free WiFi. The holiday home features 2 bedrooms, a TV, an equipped kitchen with a dishwasher, a washing machine, & 2 bathrooms. & hot tub.
217 E Arenas Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Best of the Valley's award-winner for Best Bar/Night Club Scene, Chill Bar is located in the premier gay-borhood. Two distinct spaces offer patrons a range of entertainment and nightlife options. With vast glass window-walls overlooking the famous Arenas Strip and beautiful views of the iconic San Jacinto mountains, the front bar is perfect for relaxing, grabbing a bite to eat or meeting friends, old and new. Internationally known DJs and renowned performers appear in the back bar; which houses the largest dancefloor in Palm Springs along with state-of-the-art sound and light
302 E Arenas RdPalm Springs, CA 92262
DJs, DRINKS & Staff Solidify HUNTERS as THE PREMIER GAY BAR of Palm Springs
A nice gay bar and club with terrace & pool table, very popular.
67625 E Palm Canyon DrCathedral City, CA 92234
Founded in 1992 on the border of Palm Springs and Cathedral City as THE WOLF's DEN, this wildly popular leather & gear bar was later renamed BARRACKS. A sprawling warehouse complex that earned its notoriety for hosting the world's most-attended Sunday Beer Bust, BARRACKS is also the Coachella Valley's host to many of the world's most popular leather/kink events.
315 E Arenas Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Blackbook is a gay low-key cocktail bar with a tiny kitchen and a big heart. We serve award-winning craft cocktails—without the wait or attitude—and classic American comfort food that’s so good we were named the best restaurant in Palm Springs.
541 Industrial Pl E, Palm Springs, CA 92264, United States
From the people who brought you Slammer in Los Angeles, it’s Palm Springs’ only sex club for men. A safe and respectful place for men to relax, socialize, check their clothes and have fun with other men.
125 E Tahquitz Canyon Way #102, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Retro gay bar with Hollywood-inspired decor, specialty cocktails, drag shows & nightly karaoke.
200 S Indian Canyon DrPalm Springs, CA 92262
Popular gay bar Sing-along spot with VJs showing classic & obscure music video clips
301 E Arenas Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262, United States
Fun gay bar with events on the weekend
541 Industrial Pl E, Palm Springs, CA 92264, United States
CLUB541 is Coachella Valley’s only sex club exclusively for men!
600 E Sunny Dunes RdPalm Springs, CA 92264
Located in the famed Warm Sands District, Tool Shed is the original Leather + Levi bar in Palm Springs. Proud to be the home bar for Palm Springs Leather Order Of The Desert as well as many other organizations in the valley.
2100 N Palm Canyon DrPalm Springs, CA 92262
Toucans Tiki Lounge in Palm Springs hosts the city’s longest continuously running drag show, Tommi Rose & The Playgirls, as well as weekly theme nights, ranging from Latin Fever Monday, Neon Thursday and Dirty Pop Saturday. The club also brings in top tier cabaret and performance talent as part Toucans Live on Stage
224 E Arenas RdPalm Springs, CA 92262
Friendliest gay bar in Palm Springs CA. Great entertainment. The valley's best bartenders and drinks.
125 E Tahquitz Canyon Way #108, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Fun Gay friendly Bar that has a Sunday brunch with a drag show
We have a very inviting layout featuring an elegant indoor Cabaret Showroom that spills out onto a huge and gorgeous courtyard
We offer a fantastic diversity of shows with celebrity headliners, Palms Spring’s longest-running Sunday Drag Brunch and truly talented musicians
We have weekly special events you’ll come back for again and again such as our Bitchiest Brunch on Sundays followed by our famous T-Dance and the best way to start your Saturday with Mimosa Men
67555 E Palm Canyon DrCathedral City, CA 92234
Nice gay bar with live music & karaoke drag show and drag brunch
224 N Palm Canyon DrPalm Springs, CA 92262
The Desert Fox is a cozy yet sophisticated cocktail lounge in downtown Palm Desert.
Recommended Hotels in Palm Springs By Booking
Book with confidence. Get the best Prices from our partner Booking.com
We have chosen hotels in Palm Springs that keep you close to all the shops, restaurants & bars
Kimpton Rowan
4 Star, Great Pool
- 4-star, Great pool, downtown location
- Close to the gay district
- Private bathroom, plush bathrobes
- Chic urban oasis with rooftop pool, mountain views.
The Colony Palms
4 Star, Great Value
- 4-star, downtown, stunning views
- Close to the gay district
- Pillow-top mattresses, Frette linens
- Offers luxury spa, mountain-view pool, and fine dining in a central location.
Andreas Hotel & Spa
3 Star, Great Location
- 3-star, adults only, central location
- Close to the gay district
- Free breakfast, courtyard
- Provides a tranquil adults-only experience with spa services and a central Palm Springs location.
Casa Cody
3 Star, Readers Choice
- 3-star, historic inn, lush gardens
- Close to the gay district
- Air-conditioned, inspired decor
- Historic inn with adobe architecture, serene garden views and close to local attractions.
Video Of Palm Springs Festival of Lights
Video highlights from the Palm Springs Festival of Lights
Top Gay Neighbourhoods in Palm Springs
Palm Springs, an oasis in the California desert, has long been an LGBTQ+ haven, drawing visitors with its warm climate, iconic mid-century architecture, and welcoming vibe. Many neighbourhoods have a significant gay presence, but Arenas Road is undeniably the heart of the city’s gay scene.
Downtown | Arenas Road
Photo: Andreas Road is close to some of the best gay resorts in Palm Springs
- Arenas Road, once just a regular street, started its transformation into a gay hotspot in the 1980s and hasn’t looked back since.
- From bars and clubs to restaurants and shops, it’s the pulsating heart of the city’s LGBTQ+ scene and close to the city’s best hotels and resorts.
- The street also plays host to large open-air events during Halloween and Palm Springs Pride.
- Discover the best things to see and do in the Palm Springs
Tahquitz River Estates
4-minute drive from Arenas Road with a relaxed vibe, superb adults-only resorts and famous pool parties.
Palm Desert
20-minute drive from Arenas Road with several upscale boutiques, art galleries, and beautiful public art.
Cathedral City
A 10-minute drive from Arenas Road and home to the world Famous gay parties at the Barracks complex
Indian Wells
The destination for the desert’s most luxurious resorts and spas, offering top-notch amenities and services.
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