“Of course, size matters. No one wants a small glass of wine!” The weekend’s Equality Wine Fest gives way to one of my favorite summer events – Gay Wine Weekend.
I make my annual pilgrimage to Sonoma County each July and have done so for over a decade. Even during COVID, we did a masked virtual GWW from studios outside of Santa Rosa. The photo shown is with founder Gary Saperstein from the Zoom video we did that weekend in 2020.
After the weekend’s Wine Fest here in Palm Springs, i turn my sites to a lazy July weekend in one of the most beautiful parts of our state. As I scanned through the photos from over the years, I remember boyfriends I had, new friends I made and a lot of wineries from which I have drunk. (hiccup!)
I bring this up because today starts our KGAY Desert Guide Gay Wine Weekend giveaway. Yes, you too can join hundreds of fellow LGBTQ+ wine lovers July 17-19 and entry is easy. Just visit the contest page of KGAYPalmSprings.com anytime in the next two weeks. We include two VIP Passes for Gay Wine Weekend and a two night stay at The Lodge @ Sonoma.
This year, I’m driving up to Gay Wine Weekend, something I last did during those fateful COVID days. In our partnership with Volvo Cars Palm Springs, I’ll be comfortably touring the California coast in my new XC 60 Hybrid. Volvo has been a great partner with us for the past three years and I appreciate their support of KGAY Desert Guide and our Pride parade each year as well.
And the best news is that I’m not limited to bringing back just a few bottles of wine in my checked luggage. The back of the Volvo just might sit a little lower on the way back to Palm Springs as I resemble a moonshiner filling the back of their trucks with contraband.
Brad Fuhr, your K-Gay Desert Guide
For the latest, follow our socials @GayDesertGuide and @KGAYPalmSprings and listen to KGAY Palm Springs wherever you reside!
#ILoveGayPalmSprings #ILoveGayCatCity #ILoveGayTravel #ILoveGay #SayKGAY #FindYourOasis #SupportYourStation #VisitGPS #LGBTQTravel #VisitPalmSprings
XOXO Palm Springs
XOXO Palm Springs: Citywide Arts & Culture Festival continues this week, with programming unfolding daily through June 22, Centered at locations including the Plaza Theatre, Palm Springs Cultural Center, and Spirit Animal at Hotel Zoso, the festival blends theatre, film, drag, architecture, live music, culinary experiences, and interactive installations. Attendees can explore art walks, outdoor concerts, design tours, brunch events, and immersive performances that highlight the city’s artistic spirit. Our online Events Calendar is bursting with XOXO events, check it out! More info
MON: Palm Springs Desert Winds – From Book to Stage
The Palm Springs Desert Winds, under the direction of Dean McDowell, present From Book to Stage: A Spotlight on Broadway Musicals on Monday, June 15 from 7:30–9 pm at the Plaza Theatre. This free concert celebrates beloved stories that leapt from the page to the stage, featuring selections from Guys and Dolls, Jekyll and Hyde, Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins, Les Misérables, Aladdin, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Catch Me If You Can, and The King and I. Join the Desert Winds (formerly Desert Winds Freedom Band) for an inspiring evening of Broadway favorites. More info
MON: DBA Networking Mixer at Palm Springs Animal Shelter
The Desert Business Association hosts its June mixer on Monday, June 15 from 5:30–7 pm at the Palm Springs Animal Shelter, bringing local professionals together in a warm, community‑focused setting. Attendees can connect with fellow business leaders, support LGBTQ+ youth through the Safe Schools Desert Cities scholarship raffle, and enjoy the popular business‑card scanning perk that delivers a digital contact sheet after the event. More info
WED: Shakira – Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour 2026
Shakira comes to Acrisure Arena on Wednesday, June 17 at 7:30 pm, offering fans a chance to experience the global superstar’s electrifying Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour 2026. Fresh off historic milestones—including drawing 400,000 fans to Mexico City’s Zócalo and setting a Guinness World Record for the highest‑grossing tour by a Latin artist—Shakira brings new music, high‑energy staging, and her truth-telling hips to the desert. More info
THU–SAT: Juneteenth Freedom Weekend 2026
Palm Springs honors history, heritage, and freedom with Juneteenth Freedom Weekend, a free three‑day celebration happening Thursday–Saturday, June 18–20. The festivities begin Thursday at 7 pm at VillageFest, where special programming, entertainment, and community engagement set the tone for the weekend. On Friday, Downtown Park hosts the Juneteenth Unity Picnic at 5 pm, followed by a 7 pm concert featuring Debby Holiday’s electrifying Tina Turner Tribute Show. The celebration continues Saturday at 5:30 pm at the James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center with the Juneteenth Youth Pageant, spotlighting the achievements and talents of local youth. It’s a powerful weekend of culture, connection, and community pride. More info
THU–SUN: Tidal Wave 18: Space!
Tidal Wave 18: Space! lands at the Hilton Palm Springs from Thursday–Sunday, June 18–21, presenting a vibrant galaxy of parties, entertainment, and community. With Delighted Tobehere as Flight Commander, guests can enjoy world‑class DJs, daily Sea of Tranquility pool parties, Galactic Bingo, a Space Bazaar vendor hall, Zero‑Gravity Karaoke, and a fierce Drag Brunch. Designed as a fully immersive weekend, the event invites attendees to orbit new friendships and make cosmic memories across four stellar days. More info
THU–SUN: On Golden Pond
The Big Bear Theatre Project presents On Golden Pond, running Thursday–Sunday, June 18–21 as part of its full engagement through June 28 at the Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center. Ernest Thompson’s award‑winning play follows Norman and Ethel Thayer through a summer at their New England lake cottage, blending humor, memory, and the tenderness of family reconciliation. Directed by Beth Wheat with scenic design by Joel Daavid, this production offers a heartfelt, intimate staging of a beloved theatrical masterwork. More info
THU–SUN: Heatwave 2026 / CCBC Resort
Heatwave 2026 takes over CCBC Resort from Thursday–Sunday, June 18–21, offering four days of pool parties, after‑dark fun, and clothing‑optional freedom. Hosted by Western Xposure and featuring the DJs and bears of Tidal Wave, this event serves as the official naked parties of the weekend. Guests can book a room or purchase a pass to enjoy amenities open from 9 am–4 am, including pools, hot tubs, trails, and play spaces. Tidal Wave pass holders can add a discounted 4‑day CCBC pass for full access. More info
FRI: Body Heat – Opening Reception
An Opening Reception for the show Body Heat takes place at Impell Gallery on Friday, June 19 from 4–6 pm, debuting two solo exhibitions curated by Sagi Refael. Dror Yisrael Hemed presents new paintings created during his residency, inspired by Southern California’s LGBT communities and landscapes. Yinon Avior Philipsohn showcases hand‑sewn photographic quilts developed during his Tom of Finland Foundation residency, exploring the endurance of the human body and the layered history of queer imagery. Together, the works offer a vivid, provocative look at identity, memory, and desire. More info
ALSO THIS WEEK
- Palm Springs Power Baseball: Summer League 2026
- The team plays Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday at 7 pm at Palm Springs Stadium. Residents of Palm Desert and La Quinta enjoy free entry on Friday and Saturday respectively.
- Summer Cabaret at CVRep
- This week, Nicholas Rodriguez performs a personal homage to Stephen Sondheim on Tuesday from 7:30–9 pm and Mark Arthur Miller shares the Motown story of his father, songwriter Ron Miller, on Thursday from 7:30–9 pm.
- Desert Sound Sessions at Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs
- This wellness series promoting deep relaxation and mindfulness takes place on Wednesday from 5:15–6:30 pm. The session begins with tea and community gathering before settling into a guided sound journey featuring crystal singing bowls.
- Where Were You in 1976? A Look Back at Bicentennial Cinema
- Take a nostalgic trip to America’s Bicentennial era as the Palm Springs Cultural Center/Camelot Theatre teams up with Deserted Films for a double dose of retro movie magic. On Thursday at 6 pm, catch the 1976 classic The Bad News Bears, complete with a curated pre‑show of Bicentennial‑year goodies. Then return on Saturday at 2 pm for a free all‑ages matinee of Disney’s 1975 favorite Escape to Witch Mountain, also featuring a special pre‑show celebrating the pop culture of the era.
- The Book of Merman
- Performing Friday–Sunday at Prism Theater through July 26. This new musical comedy follows two missionaries who encounter a legendary Broadway diva. The production is described as a “musical revelation,” and runs as part of the XOXO Palm Springs citywide arts, culture, and music festival.
- The Groove Society Presents: Soulful Summer Solstice
- David Wills and The Groove Society celebrate the longest day of the year at Spirit Animal @ Hotel Zoso on Saturday from 7–9 pm with live funk and blue-eyed soul.
- Agave Caliente Terraza – Free Outdoor Concert Series
- The tribute band Straight Shooter delivers a sonic replica of Bad Co at Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City on Saturday at 8 pm. Performing radio-favorite album versions and select live tracks, the group provides true 70’s rock with an authentic look and sound for this free series.
- JBKO: The Life. The Legend. The Legacy. (Encore Performance)
- Yo Younger stars as Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis in this one-woman play by Tom Santopietro at Revolution Stage Company on Sunday at 7 pm.
ONGOING EVENTS
THURSDAY • Villagefest from 7–10 pm: Enjoy food, entertainment, art, and shopping at this street fair on Palm Canyon Drive.
FRIDAY • Drag Bingo at Arrive from 4:30–7 pm: Join friends for multiple rounds of play and happy hour deals at Arrive Hotel.
SATURDAY • Dance Ranch / Country Dance Saturdays from 7–9:30 pm: Learn the beginner waltz with Jan Alden followed by a night of western dancing at Step by Step Dance Studio.
ALL WEEK • A Queer Arcana: Art, Magic, and Spirit: Explore how magic and esoteric knowledge have shaped queer culture through the work of an intergenerational group of artists at Palm Springs Art Museum.
SAY KGAY to Save on Rivalry Merch
Ride the Heated Rivalry wave with a fresh batch of themed T‑shirts now available through the Pride Store. Some designs rep your favorite fictional teams from the show, while others turn up the temperature with bolder, more provocative takes. Pick your style, show your fandom, and save 10% storewide at checkout with promo code SAYKGAY – Shop Now
Summer 2026 Visitor Map & Guide – FREE!
Check out the just-published Summer 2026 edition of the K‑Gay Desert Guide Visitor Map & Guide! To help you find everything you need as a visitor or local, we feature the top places for Food & Drink, Nightlife, Shopping, Attractions, Gay Resorts with passes, Dispensaries, and other services, all curated to make exploring the valley even easier. Look for the latest edition at businesses and newsstands around town, as well as at hotels, visitor centers, and participating sponsors, or view it online.
THIS WEEKEND
SAT: Juneteenth – Celebrating Freedom Through History and Culture
Juneteenth: Celebrating Freedom Through History and Culture comes to Revolution Stage Company on Saturday, June 20 from 2–4 pm, presented by the Sunset Music and Education Foundation as part of the XOXO Festival Weekend. Hosted by Sweet Baby J’ai, the event features storytelling, poetry, live music, cultural presentations, and performances by SMARTS Initiative students. Open to all backgrounds, this gathering honors resilience, creativity, and shared humanity. More info
SAT: Wanderlust Food Truck Festival at Sunrise Park
The Wanderlust Food Truck Festival at Sunrise Park launches on Saturday, June 20 from 5–10 pm, offering a curated lineup of 20+ food trucks and local vendors. Guests can enjoy gourmet street food, comfort classics, global flavors, and sweet treats in a relaxed, community‑driven atmosphere. With lawn games, open seating, and a welcoming outdoor environment, the festival encourages visitors to stay, connect, and savor the evening. More info
SAT: Bob Dylan – Live on Stage
Bob Dylan returns to the desert for a rare night at Acrisure Arena on Saturday, June 20 at 7:30 pm, joined by Lucinda Williams and The John Doe Folk Trio. With a career spanning nearly sixty years, Dylan remains a restless creative force—never nostalgic, always evolving, and continually pushing his work forward. Enjoy an evening of masterful songwriting, raw musicianship, and the unmistakable presence of a legend still moving boldly ahead. More info
SUN: Rod Stewart
Sir Rod Stewart performs at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa on Sunday, June 21 at 7 pm, bringing his legendary voice and decades of global hits to the stage. With more than 120 million records sold and a place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Stewart continues to captivate audiences with his signature style and unmistakable rasp. More info
LOOKING AHEAD
MON–TUE: PS/NExT Summit 2026
The PS/NExT Summit 2026 brings two days of innovation, creativity, and emerging tech to the Palm Springs Convention Center on Monday–Tuesday, June 22–23, running Monday from 8 am–7 pm and Tuesday from 8 am–2 pm. Featuring industry‑shaping voices like filmmaker Rob Minkoff, storyteller Baratunde Thurston, engineer Philip Su, and AI artist Kelly McKernan, the summit spans six curated tracks covering community learning, small business tools, education, developers, creativity × AI, and civic leadership. With hands‑on sessions, the Vibe‑a‑thon, GenJam, and cross‑industry conversations, PS/NExT offers a rare chance to explore how AI and emerging tech are reshaping life, work, and creative expression in the Coachella Valley. More info
Reserve Your Spot Now: KGAY Big Splash Pool Party
Make a splash with KGAY 103.1 at the Big Splash Pool Party on Friday, June 26 from 7–10 pm at the Palm Springs Surf Club! This adults‑only (21+) evening is your chance to #SupportYourStation while enjoying River Island and Lazy River access, music, and summer vibes. Early‑bird tickets are just $25 for the first 250 guests, with $200 Day Beds and $500 Big Wave Sponsorships available. Help keep our community’s radio station vibrant and streaming worldwide—reserve your spot now and join the fun! More info
Click below to sign up for our Gay Desert Guide Oasis Insiders Newsletter to get our Weekly Blog, Top 3 Events for the weekend, Hot Deals and Cool Events all delivered to your inbox every Friday!
- XOXO Palm Springs: Citywide Arts & Culture Festival
Jun 11–22 - On Golden Pond – presented by Big Bear Theatre Project
Jun 18–28 at Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center - PS/NExT Summit
Mon.–Tue. Jun 22–23 at the Palm Springs Convention Center - Palm Springs International ShortFest
Jun 23–29 at Festival Theaters - KGAY’s BIG SPLASH – #SupportYourStation Pool Party
Fri. Jun 26 from 7–9 pm at Palm Springs Surf Club - Stock the Shelves for Summer Community Food Drive
Fri. & Sat. Jun 26 & 27 at The Community Food Bank at The Center - 4th of July in Greater Palm Springs
July 2–5 in various locations - Gay Wine Weekend – 15th Anniversary Celebration
July 17–19 in Sonoma Valley
Holliday CPA offers clients a warm, personalized approach to accounting shaped by his 17 years with a respected firm. As a Certified Public Accountant and QuickBooks ProAdvisor, George Holliday provides tailored services including tax preparation, payroll, sales‑tax reporting, bookkeeping, nonprofit financial management, and audit readiness. His background as an Audit Manager gives him a sharp eye for accuracy and compliance, while his passion for the profession drives long‑term relationships built on trust, clarity, and genuine care for each client’s financial success. Read more
KGAY 103.1 FM
The KGAY 103.1 Retro Lunch airs Monday through Friday from noon–1 pm, with DJ Galaxy (Vincent Corrales) and DJ Eric Ornelas playing an hour of their nonstop throwback mixes. On Sundays, we put all five hours together for the Retro Sunday Brunch from 11 am–4 pm. Perfect party music! The KGAY Sunday Tea Dance with MODGIRL airs every Sunday from 4–6 pm (right after the Retro Brunch). All our DJs took honors in the Best of Coachella Valley this year! Listen to KGAY 103.1 online
This Week: DJ Galaxy starts the party at Hunters Nightclub for Fur Friday on Friday from 4–9 pm. The energy keeps flowing as MODGIRL takes over the Amigo Room at the Ace Hotel & Swim Club for Friday Night Fever on Friday at 9 pm.
WIN TICKETS to Shakira
KGAY 103.1 is giving you the chance to score tickets to one of the summer’s biggest concerts as Shakira brings her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour 2026 to Acrisure Arena on Wednesday, June 17 at 7:30 pm. Shakira is set to light up the desert with new music, high‑energy staging, and her unmistakable global star power. Enter to WIN on the KGAY Contest Page
WIN VIP PASSES to Gay Wine Weekend
KGAY 103.1 wants to send you to wine country for one of the most celebrated LGBTQ+ events of the year — Gay Wine Weekend’s 15th Anniversary Celebration in Sonoma. From VIP receptions and winemaker dinners to winery tours, the iconic Twilight T‑Dance, a fabulous Drag Queen Brunch & Wine Auction, and a Closing Pool Soirée, the weekend is packed with world‑class wine, food, and unforgettable experiences. Enter to WIN on the KGAY Contest Page.
WIN the Ultimate Palm Springs Summer Escape
If you missed your chance to enter at WeHo Pride last weekend, KGAY 103.1—in partnership with Visit Palm Springs, presenting XOXO: The Palm Springs Arts & Culture Celebration (June 11–22)—is giving you another shot at winning the Ultimate Palm Springs Summer Escape! Whether you’re a local looking for a staycation or a visitor dreaming of a desert getaway, this prize package delivers a full Palm Springs experience: a one‑night stay, dining, attractions, shopping, and a spa day pass. Featured partners include Avalon Hotel & Bungalows, Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, Drag & Fly Tours, Destination PSP, Hunters Nightclub, and more. Enter to WIN on the KGAY Contest Page
Sunny 106.5 FM
Take the sunshine indoors with the Sunny 106.5 Alexa skill — just tell Alexa to “enable Sunny Palm Springs Radio skill” and the brightest variety will be one voice command away at home or at work. Sunny 106.5 is the Coachella Valley’s new home for feel‑good hits from the ’90s, 2000s, and beyond, blending familiar favorites with local updates and weekday weather from Patrick Evans. Play Sunny 106.5 Online
WIN TICKETS to Alanis Morissette
Sunny 106.5 is giving listeners the chance to score tickets to one of the most anticipated theatrical concert experiences of the year: Alanis Morissette’s “Butterfly with a Machete” at YouTube Theater in Los Angeles. This limited‑run residency—November 5, 6, 10, and 11—expands on her sold‑out Las Vegas production, blending her iconic music with storytelling, multimedia staging, and a raw exploration of fame, trauma, and transformation. You can win your way into the November 6 show! Enter to WIN on the Sunny 106.5 Contest Page
WIN TICKETS to ShortFest
Get ready for one of the biggest film events of the year—because you can WIN passes to the 32nd Palm Springs International ShortFest from Sunny 106.5. With 329 films from 71 countries screening June 23–29, this year’s lineup is packed with global stories, premieres, and standout programs that showcase the very best in short‑form filmmaking. It’s your chance to experience the world’s top short‑film festival up close. Enter to WIN on the Sunny 106.5 Contest Page
- Indio Announces First City‑Sponsored Pride Celebration After Years of Advocacy
- 12 Can’t‑Miss XOXO Palm Springs Events to Experience This Season
- Palm Springs Equality Wine and Food Fest Highlights Diversity and Culinary Talent
- Rancho Mirage Issues Pride Month Proclamation
- Palm Springs ShortFest Announces Full Lineup for 32nd Annual Festival
Find out what’s happening on any given day by browsing our Gay Desert Guide Online Event Listing Calendar, and for the big picture, take a look at major upcoming events in our 2026 Coachella Valley Calendar of Events.
Listen to KGAY over the air, stream it [here], or listen on iHeart Radio with Alexa or Siri by saying “Play K-G-A-Y” John Taylor is on mornings 6–10 am and program director Chris Shebel is on afternoons. Our Retro Lunch with DJ Galaxy and DJ Eric Ornelas is heard on Sundays as the Retro Lunch & Sunday Brunch from 11 am–4 pm, followed by MODGIRL spinning the KGAY Sunday Tea Dance from 4–6 pm.
This Way Out, the award‑winning weekly LGBTQ radio program, airs every Sunday at 6:30 a.m. on KGAY 103.1 and is also available on‑demand via our streaming player under Menu>Streams>Podcasts. As the only internationally distributed LGBTQ radio show, it airs on about 200 community stations worldwide and delivers global queer news, reporting, interviews, and cultural features.