This Week in #ILoveGayPalmSprings: The new 106.5 FM LGBTQ radio station from Qchella Media launches, we have last-minute reservation options for your Christmas Eve or Christmas Day Dinner, plus a Jazzy Christmas Eve service with Bloom in the Desert! Then the post-Christmas fun starts with Queeraoke and Drag me to Karaoke, Auntie Mame with Among Friends, Rainbow Night at Playoffs,  and individual tickets go on sale to the general public for the Palm Springs International Film Festival! Finally we look ahead to a ton of options for you to ring in the New Year. Happy Holidays! 
 

LGBTQ Radio Station – Now Playing! Official Launch Dec 26

 

On Christmas Eve and Day, December 24 and 26, Qchella Media's new 106.5 FM will be playing some very gay holiday classics and songs you may have not heard before! Everything from Mariah Carey to Donna Summer, Rufus Wainwright to the Weather Girls (just to name a few) are being played for a special holiday-themed pre-launch. Then, at the stroke of midnight on December 26, 106.5 FM will officially launch as a new Coachella Valley radio station serving the LGBTQ community. Can you guess the new call letters? To be revealed December 26! This new station will also be powered by Gay Desert Guide for all the listings of gay-friendly businesses, events, and attractions in the desert! You can also listen on 1270 AM, and the Official Launch Party will be Wednesday, December 26 from 5:00–8:00 p.m. at Chill Bar Palm Springs. More info on that here, and be sure to “Like” Qchella Media on Facebook!

Christmas Eve and Day Dinners


If you haven't made plans for your Christmas Eve or Christmas Day dinner, here are some great local favorites offering special menus to help you celebrate!

 

Jazzy Christmas Eve with Bloom in the Desert Ministries

On Christmas Eve from 7:00–8:30 p.m., join Bloom in the Desert Ministries for a Jazzy Christmas Eve featuring traditional service with Jazz musical arrangements provided by Paul Kay on flute and vocals, and a Jazz combo, including Kurt Jordan on piano. Hospitality reception follows with Christmas baking provided by all who want to share theirs. This will also be streamed live on Facebook! More info

Celebrate the Season with Auntie Mame Among Friends

On Wednesday, December 26 from 6:00–10:00 p.m., Join Among Friends first for Auntie Mame Interactive. Mame's 1920's-themed cocktail party starts at 6:00, come dressed up (or not) like the characters in the cocktail party in the movie or wear festive holiday attire. There will be multiple bars set up to serve you in style. Then at 8:00 gather in the theater for an interactive version of Auntie Mame. Now the movie you love comes alive with audience participation, live actions, and surprises! Get tickets

Queeraoke at Chill Bar

Join Chill Bar for their new and improved Karaoke Wednesdays @Queeraoke! Hosted by the fabulous KJ Foxx every Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. and introducing a new stage, lighting, and system which holds thousands of your favorite hits. Come sing your heart out! More info

 

Drag me to Karaoke at The Saguaro

Every Thursday starting at 7:00 p.m. The Saguaro Palm Springs presents Drag Me To Karaoke & Tacos Hosted by: Rusty Waters, featuring:
tens of thousands of songs to choose from, classics to current, plus Happy Hour food and bar. More info

 

Rainbow “Queens of the North Pole” Night at Playoffs

Playoffs Sports Lounge has one last Rainbow Night (their monthly gay night) of the year on Wednesday, December 26 with “Queens of the North Pole” starting at 7:00 p.m. Bring your friends and family in to Playoffs for a little holiday hump day fun with munchies and cocktails! Hostess Anita Rose and her fabulous girls will start the show at 8. More info

New Year's Eve Party Roundup

Looking for a place to ring in 2019? We have no shortage of options here in the Greater Palm Springs Area! From Mildly Wild and Glow Karaoke to Jazzville and Drag Superstars, we've got a roundup of New Year's Eve parties for you to choose from! Read more

Here's a couple of highlights:
Rockin' 80s – New Year's Eve at Spa Resort Casino
8:00 p.m.–1:00 a.m. – Enjoy the ultimate outdoor New Year’s Eve Party at Spa Resort Casino! Broadway's Rock of Ages Band performs at 10:30 p.m. with Rock Stars from the original cast of “Broadway’s Rock of Ages Band” live in concert. Concert admission includes entry into Rockin’ 80s New Year’s Eve Party.

Jazzville New Year's Eve Extravaganza at Hotel Zoso
Doors 4:30 p.m., dinner 5:00 p.m, live music 6:00 p.m. – In the tradition of Tito Puente, Cal Tjader, Antonio Carlos Jobim and Frank Sinatra, this award-winning Latin jazz group is highly entertaining and perform both classic and “Latin-ized” standards with an energetic verve. Tickets include a delicious three-course plated dinner, party favors, 2 glasses of bubbly, NYE photo op, and complimentary valet parking.

Click here for the full list of NYE Parties! 
 

Robolights

Robolights is a massive, colorful display of sculptures and structures artist Kenny Irwin created from recycled materials and draped in 9 million Christmas lights. He began building the display when he was 12 and it now attracts visitors year-round, but especially around the holidays. It has been featured in a number of stories and reports by the national and international media. Robolights is open daily (including Christmas Eve and Day) 4:00–9:30 p.m. through Wednesday, January 2. More info
 

Palm Springs International Film Fest Tickets on Sale Dec 26

The Palm Springs International Film Festival is just around the corner, running January 3–14, 2019 and individual film and event tickets, including Opening & Closing Night, will be available to the general public for purchase starting at 9:00 a.m. on December 26. The entire festival schedule is also now available three ways: viewable online, downloadable as a PDF, and in print form. Get tickets and more info