FreedomFest showed up on the Gay Desert Guide Events calendar, the work of my editorial team. I know most everything coming to town, and we are always vigilant to make sure our events page is up to date. But this one caught me off guard.
It’s touted as “The world’s largest gathering of Free Minds” according to the Washington Post. Steve Forbes is a co-ambassador. Adam Carolla, a former Palm Springs radio host, is on the agenda. Kennedy is an emcee. So the event is really a bunch of libertarians gathering under the sun and fun of Palm Springs this week.
There’s even a few anarchists and a sliver of progressive/democrats who may attend. But since they charge for press passes, we likely won’t attend.
Freedom is certainly under attack in our nation. Whether it be freedom of the press, freedom to gather and protest or myriad other freedoms that the administration is chipping away at week by week.
No Kings Day is Saturday with three local protests planned in the valley – Palm Springs, Cathedral City and Rancho Mirage. I certainly hope our protests will be free of the violence that is happening in Los Angeles. But showing up is important. As I quoted Timothy Snyder earlier this year, there’s the 3.5% rule. It suggests that a movement involving 3.5% of the population is often enough to achieve significant political change.
It’s important to note that the 3.5% goal is considered a “political equivalent of the four-minute mile” – a challenging but achievable target that, once reached, can inspire further action.
Run Forrest Run!
Brad Fuhr, your K-Gay Desert Guide
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WEEKEND PREVIEW: Big Gay BBQ in the Arenas District
Get ready to usher in summer at the biggest and most fabulous BIG Gay BBQ in the Arenas District! This free community event brings delicious BBQ, beverages, live music, and fun backyard games. Join the festivities on Saturday, June 14 from 3–10 pm and Sunday, June 15 from 3–7 pm. Live music from Radio Ready will be on stage both days and KGAY’s Modgirl will be featured on Sunday from 3–4:30 pm. Plus, flow-art will be showcased by Desert Flaggers! Come with friends, enjoy the finger-lickin’ food from various vendors, you’ll also have the opportunity to make a contribution and support Palm Springs Pride, which in the current political climate needs your help even more! More info
MON: Hot Spot Trivia with Deven & Ned
Test your wits and win big at Hot Spot Trivia with Deven Green & Handsome Ned on Mondays from 7–8:30 pm at Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs! Featuring eight fast-paced rounds, interactive games, celebrity face challenges, word scrambles, and music madness, this all-digital trivia showdown keeps the competition fierce and the laughs rolling. More info
TUE: GVCC Annual Installation and Business Awards Dinner
Join the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce (GVCC) for their Annual Installation and Business Awards Dinner on Tuesday, June 10 from 5:30–8:30 pm. Held at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort in Indian Wells, this prestigious event will honor outstanding leaders in the community. This year’s recipients include Ernesto Rosales for the Chairman John A. James Lifetime Achievement Award and Palm Springs International Airport for the Public Impact Award. More info
WED: Hot Spot Bingo with Deven & Ned
Spice up your Wednesdays with Hot Spot Bingo at Agave Caliente Tequila Bar inside Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City! Hosted by the hilarious Deven Green & Handsome Ned from 7-8:30 pm, this free digital bingo party blends comedy, music, and big prizes for an unforgettable night. Play on your phone, laugh out loud, and win big. More info
STARTS WED: FreedomFest Palm Springs: “Oasis of Liberty”
Join the “World’s Largest Gathering of Free Minds” at FreedomFest Palm Springs: “Oasis of Liberty,” from Wednesday, June 11–Saturday, June 14 at the Palm Springs Convention Center. This annual event, featuring over 100 sessions, 200+ speakers, and 2000+ attendees, offers a unique getaway to a culture of liberty and optimism. Hear from keynote speakers like Steve Forbes, Kennedy, Kat Timpf, and Adam Carolla, and immerse yourself in big ideas and great people. Get tickets
Rescheduled to September 20: Rod Stewart
Please note, Sir Rod Stewart‘s performance originally scheduled for Thursday, June 12 has been rescheduled due to illness. Now you can catch his distinctive voice and energetic stage presence on Saturday, September 20 at 8 pm. All tickets previously purchased will remain valid for the new date. The Grammy Living Legend and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer brings his spectacular live performance to The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa for a night spanning over 50 years of hits across rock, folk, R&B, and American Standards. Get tickets
FRI: Safe in the Streets: Community Mixer and Safety Talk
Join neighbors for Safe in the Streets, a free community mixer and safety talk at the Palm Canyon Mobile Club Clubhouse on Friday, June 13 from 5–6:30 pm. This timely event will feature presentations from Officer Brook Edney of the Palm Springs Police Department and Brent Heinze from the Safety Blows campaign, offering practical guidance on public safety amidst rising targeted violence. Beyond valuable insights, attendees can connect with fellow community members over complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, fostering a safer and more inclusive environment. More info
FRI: It’s Me, Charlie – Cabaret Edition
Get ready for an unforgettable evening of music and entertainment with “It’s Me, CHARLIE! Cabaret Edition” at Revolution Stage Company on Friday, June 13 from 7–9 pm. Acclaimed singer Charlie Brown, joined by legendary Musical Director Michael Orland, brings his signature charm and powerhouse voice to a dynamic setlist spanning pop, blues, and Broadway, all with dazzling cabaret flair. Get tickets
STARTS FRI: Raising the Steaks with Chef David Burke
Prepare for an unforgettable culinary experience at The Steakhouse at Agua Caliente Rancho Mirage, as acclaimed Chef David Burke brings his signature creativity to the Raising the Steaks dining event. From Friday, June 13–Thursday, June 26, join Chef Burke and Chef Juan Morales for an exclusive collaboration that blends the best of culinary worlds, offering a one-of-a-kind menu celebrating innovation, technique, and the finest cuts of steak. Reserve today
Private Tours of The Shag House
Step into The Shag House for a private tour with Brandon, where you’ll feel like you’ve stepped straight into a life-size Shag painting! Explore every vibrant, retro-inspired corner at your own pace—just you and your guests, no crowds. Select a date from now through Sunday, June 15 and experience the magic behind the green gates in this fully immersive space! Get tickets
ALSO THIS WEEK
Monday, June 9
Monday Night Bingo with Bella da Ball | 7–9 pm at the Ace Hotel
Tuesday, June 10
Angels Pride Night 2025 | 4–10 pm at Angel Stadium, Anaheim
Thursday, June 12
VillageFest Street Fair | 7–10 pm in Downtown Palm Springs
Carousel Live Retro Music | 7–8:30 pm at Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs
Friday, June 13
Food Truck Fridays | 5–10 pm in Downtown Indio
Frozen Pool Party Skate | 6:30–8 pm at Berger Foundation Iceplex at Acrisure Arena
Sat & Sun, June 14 & 15
Sacramento Pride | Pride March Sunday at 11 am at Southside Park
No Kings Day | Protest Marches nationwide on Saturday
Saturday, June 14
The Time It Takes (Italy/France) One-time film screening | 10 am at Palm Springs Cultural Center
Martinis & Bellinis Garden Cocktail and Tea Party Benefit | 3–5 pm at Cache Estate, Indio
Beyond the Pages – The Day Before I Died | 4–6 pm at Coachella Library
Country Dance Saturdays: Beginner Two Step with Rob Ollander-Krane | 7 pm at Step by Step
Sunday, June 15
Family + at the Palm Springs Art Museum | 12–4 pm
Sunday Stomp Line Dancing | 6–10 pm at Reforma
Get our Free Visitor Map & Guide
Check out our new Summer 2025 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. Look for the latest edition at businesses and newsstands around town, or browse it online right here!
THIS WEEKEND
Pride Month Festivals & Parades
Pride Live! Hollywood takes center stage from June 11–29, with a month-long celebration of LGBTQ+ storytelling, exclusive screenings, lively conversations, rooftop parties, dance parties, and family-friendly events. Further north, Sacramento Pride is set for June 14 & 15, on Capitol Mall, with a Pride March on Sunday, June 15 at 11 am. The 55th annual San Francisco Pride Celebration, themed “Queer Joy is Resistance” is June 28 & 29 at Civic Center, culminating in the renowned Pride Parade on Sunday, June 29 at 10 am. And next month, mark your calendars for San Diego Pride, San Diego’s biggest celebration of diversity and inclusion, at Balboa Park on July 19 & 20!
No Kings Mass Protest
Join a national movement on Saturday, June 14 for the NO KINGS National Day of Action. This mass mobilization is a response to increasing authoritarianism, taking to the streets nationwide to say “no thrones, no crowns, no kings.” Gather at Downtown Palm Springs Park from 6–8 pm to be part of building a movement and making history. More info – Additionally, there will be No Kings protests in both Rancho Mirage and Cathedral City from 9–10 am on Saturday.
Brothers of the Desert Members & Allies Lunch
Join Brothers of the Desert for the Members and Allies Lunch on Saturday, June 14 from 12:30–1:30 pm at Play Lounge Cafe! Connect over great food and conversation after the Members’ Meeting in a welcoming and inclusive space. Both members and allies are invited—just RSVP with David by Friday, June 13 to secure your spot. More info
“SHE IS” Women’s Conference
Join the 2nd Annual “SHE IS” Women’s Conference, a free event on Saturday, June 14 from 10 am–3 pm (doors at 9 am) at the Mizell Center in Palm Springs. This empowering day is open to women living with HIV across the gender spectrum, those affected by HIV, and caregivers and providers of HIV services. Come for a day filled with inspiration, connection, and the opportunity to share experiences. More info
Father’s Day Celebration: Madd Men in the Pool
Celebrate Father’s Day in style at Madd Men in the Pool on Sunday, June 15 from 11 am–1 pm at The Shag House! Indulge in brunch bites by On The Mark, sip on Old Fashioneds, Whiskey Sours, Vodka Lemonade, and Mimosas, and soak up the vintage vibes. Whether you’re making a splash or just enjoying the fashion-forward poolside scene, this one-of-a-kind celebration guarantees good times and great company. Get tickets
HRC Palm Springs Bowling for Equality
Strike for equality at HRC Palm Springs Bowling for Equality! Join friends, advocates, and allies at Palm Springs Lanes on Sunday, June 15 from 2:30–4:30 pm for a fun-filled afternoon of bowling, camaraderie, and activism. Assemble your team or let them match you up, wear your most stylish bowling shirt, and compete for top scores and best attire awards—all while supporting HRC’s mission for LGBTQ+ equality. More info
Calling All Daddies
Get ready to celebrate Father’s Day at Toucans on Sunday, June 15 from 1–5 pm for the “Calling All Daddies” event! This special celebration will feature a T-Dance, Auction, BBQ, and Raffle, all benefiting HARP (HIV + Aging Research Project I PS) in their 10th Anniversary. Enjoy a lively atmosphere with music, delicious food, and chances to win great prizes, all while supporting a vital cause for the community. More info
The Fab Four – USA Meets the Beatles 60th Anniversary
Experience the magic of Beatlemania with The Fab Four – The Ultimate Tribute, live at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa on Saturday, June 14 at 8 pm. Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of USA Meets The Beatles, this Emmy Award-winning tribute band delivers uncanny, note-for-note renditions of classics and features three costume changes representing every Beatles era. Get tickets
War of the Worlds: The Panic Broadcast
Aliens have landed—again! Experience the hilarious, fast-paced radio-play comedy War of the Worlds: The Panic Broadcast on Sunday, June 15 from 2–4 pm at Desert TheatreWorks! Live sound effects, vintage flair, and a clever radio-show-within-a-radio-show bring Orson Welles legendary broadcast to life. Don’t miss this nostalgic, out-of-this-world theatrical adventure: Get tickets
Freda Payne
Experience an evening of soul and timeless hits as Freda Payne takes the stage at Oscar’s Downtown Palm Springs on Saturday, June 14 from 7–9 pm. Best known for her classic “Band of Gold”, Freda brings her legendary voice to this intimate live performance. Doors open at 5:30 pm—secure your seats now and enjoy an evening of music, elegance, and nostalgia. Get tickets
LOOKING AHEAD
McCallum 2025-2026 Season on Sale Now
Get ready for an extraordinary season at the McCallum Theatre, launching this September! Broadway’s best takes center stage with a lineup of award-winning musicals including Shucked, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical, Beetlejuice, and Hadestown. The holiday season also brings Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical. The McCallum will celebrate Pride and the LGBTQ+ community this November with an array of artists and events, including Sasha Velour presents The Big Reveal Live Show and Jim Caruso’s Cast Party with Billy Stritch on Piano. Also joining the lineup is the sensational all-male a cappella group, Straight No Chaser. And that’s just a taste of what the McCallum has in store next season! Get tickets
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!
- Big Gay BBQ
Sat. Jun 14 from 3–10 pm in the Arenas District - No Kings Mass Protest Nationwide Day of Defiance
Sat. Jun 14 at 6–8 pm at Downtown Palm Springs Park - Private Tours of The Shag House
Through Sun. Jun 15 - Tidal Wave Party – Camp Morning Wood
Jun 18–22 at Hilton Palm Springs - Surf City Allstars – Beach Boys Tribute Band
Sat. Jun 21 from 7:30–9 pm at Riviera Palm Springs - Palm Springs International ShortFest
Sat. Jun 24–Mon. Jun 30 at Festival Theaters - All American 4th of July Weekend
July 3–5 at various locations around Palm Springs - McCallum Theatre 2025-2026 Season
Sep 2025–May 2026 – Tickets on sale now - Pride Under the Pines 2025 – Early Bird Tickets on Sale Now
Sat. Oct 4 in Downtown Idyllwild - Countess Cabaret with Luann de Lesseps
Sat. Jan 24, 2026 at the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre
Pharos Athletic Club Palm Springs is a 27,000+ sq. ft. fitness oasis, offering private training, group classes, cardio & strength equipment, cold plunge, sauna, indoor pickleball, and a café. Located on North Indian Canyon, it’s designed for all fitness levels, fostering community and lasting results. Mention KGAY for a free day pass and experience the Pharos difference firsthand! Learn more
The Mic Bike is a pedal-powered, motor-assisted “Kruzin’ Karaoke” party bike rolling through Palm Springs with music, drinks, and unforgettable vibes. Perfect for birthdays, bachelorettes, or a fun night out, sing while cruising with friends or making new ones. This 90-minute experience departs from the Marilyn statue, offering a unique blend of bike ride and karaoke bar with misters to keep you cool. Learn more
KGAY 106.5 & 92.1 FM
The KGAY 106.5 & 92.1 Retro Lunch airs Monday through Friday from noon–1 pm, with DJ Galaxy (Vincent Corrales) and DJ Eric Ornelas playing an hour of their high-energy 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 106.5 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 106.5 online
To listen to KGAY Palm Springs via Alexa, say “Alexa ENABLE K. Gay Palm Springs SKILL” (include “SKILL”) or manually enable it in the Alexa app or at Amazon. Once enabled, access the station by saying “Alexa, OPEN,” “LAUNCH,” or “PLAY K. Gay Palm Springs.” You can also make special requests, such as birthday shoutouts or song dedications! Happy streaming! Learn more
103.1 MeTV FM
103.1 MeTV FM plays a Timeless and Memorable variety of the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s with a touch of the ’50s! Rise and Shine weekday mornings with a Timeless and Memorable variety of songs you know and love, and get your weather from Jerry Steffen at NBC Palm Springs! You can listen to 103.1 MeTV FM everywhere: In your car, at work, at home or around the world, online at 1031metvfm.com or tell Alexa, “Open 103.1 MeTV FM” Listen online
103.1 MeTV FM wants you to WIN TICKETS to see The Surf City Allstars at the Riviera Resort & Spa on Saturday, June 21 at 7:30 pm! The #1 Beach Boys tribute band will deliver iconic hits like “California Girls” and “Surfin’ USA”, bringing sun-soaked harmonies and California cool to this rockin’ beachside bash. Enter to WIN on the 103.1 MeTV FM Contest Page
- Palm Springs Remains a Haven for LGBTQ+ Visitors
- A Piece of Art: Kevin Rolston Puts on an Acting Clinic in One-Man Show ‘Deal With the Dragon’
- Celebrating Resilience: Pride Events in the High Desert Promote Culture, Creativity and Community Across the Morongo Basin
- The McCallum Theatre Announces 2025-2026 Season
- Mariah Hanson’s Final Dinah In September 2025 Marks The End Of A 34-Year Legacy Of Pride, Visibility, And Inclusion
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 2025 Coachella Valley Calendar of Events.
Listen to KGAY 106.5 and 92.1 over the air, stream it [here], or listen on iHeart Radio with Alexa or Siri by saying “Play K-GAY 106 5 .” 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.