Gay Desert Guide for Independence Day Weekend: Jul 4-7, 2024

B-r-r-r-r! It was 40 degrees cooler at the San Diego oceanfront where I visited last evening for Marc Shaiman at the Rady Shell highlighting his movie and Broadway music. I made a quick getaway to celebrate the 4th of July ahead of my Sunday appearance in the Lip-Sync Battle. I’m sequestered preparing my dance number for the event 🙂

Not to rub it in, but a break from the heat is essential to those of us who live in the desert year-round. We’re experiencing global climate change in so many ways – from floods and tornadoes in the Midwest to an early hurricane in the Caribbean. Seems that no place is immune.

I like the sunshine and dry heat of the desert — to a point. But these days that court 120+ try my resolve.

Hope to see you at Sunday’s One-PS event at the Palm Springs Cultural Center! Over 140 volunteers have been wrangled by Shann Carr to put on this fun community event. Have a safe and Happy July 4th holiday weekend!

Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide on KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs

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Independence Day Celebrations

There’s no shortage of ways to celebrate the 4th of July–both on and around the day itself— this year in the Coachella Valley. Check our Events Channel for the fireworks, concerts, pool parties and more! Here’s a roundup of Coachella Valley celebrations.

And remember as we celebrate independence this weekend, don’t let it be taken away, go to vote.gov no matter where you are in the U.S. and register to vote. Gay marriage? Trans rights? The freedom to be yourself? The best way to fight those that want to take your rights away is to vote. Happy Fourth of July weekend from KGAY 106.5 and 92.1

ONE-PS Lip Sync Battle

The 2nd Annual ONE-PS Lip Sync Battle is Sunday, July 7 from 3–5 pm at the Palm Springs Cultural Center, an event with good vibes and good fun for the whole community. This year’s theme “Better Together” comes alive as teams and coaches cross-pollinate, collaborate and compete in the name of fun! It was a surprise hit last year and the contestants have stepped it up again. You won’t wanna miss all these stars of our local community, including the chance to see Brad Fuhr, owner of KGAY/KMEE & GayDesertGuide doing choreography, in drag, alongside friends supporting the LGBTQ+ Archive of the Desert, where he serves on the board. Get tickets

Drag Shows are Cool 🧊

Escape the scorching sun and beat the Palm Springs heat in fabulous style by heading to an air-conditioned Drag Show! Check our Events Channel for special events by day, or check our Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday listings of weekly drag shows and brunches. The vibrant performances, hilarious routines, and catchy music will have you laughing and dancing, all while staying refreshed with a cool cocktail!

All-American Fourth of July Celebration Week

City of Palm Springs Fourth of July Celebration Header 2024

Palm Springs Parks and Recreation presents a series of free, fun, and patriotic events for its wildly popular “All American Fourth of July Celebration Week” of family-friendly festivities, July 3–7. Enjoy a series of free movies and concerts, a cool pool party — and of course, Power baseball and the City’s All American Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular on July 4 at Palm Springs Stadium. Fireworks start at 9:15 pm sharp! Our event listing has all the details on times and places: More info

On Thursday, July 4 at 7 pm, Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute band Fortunate Son takes the stage in Sunrise Park. This is part of the “Rock the City” concert series. Note: the planned Downtown Park concert by K-Tel All-Stars on Saturday, July 6 has been cancelled out of an abundance of caution due to an excessive heat warning. More info

Finally, the city presents Movie Night in the Park, featuring Ferris Bueller’s Day Off on Sunday, July 7 at 7:30 pm at Ruth Hardy Park, with food vendors and activities starting at 6 pm.

Agua Caliente Casinos 10th Annual Fourth of July “Drive-In” Fireworks Show

Agua Caliente Casinos will illuminate the night sky in Rancho Mirage for their tenth annual Fireworks Spectacular on Thursday, July 4 at 9 pm. All through the holiday weekend, guests can look forward to entertainment, drink specials, and slot promotions at all three Agua Caliente Casino locations in addition to the breathtaking Rancho Mirage fireworks display. For the fireworks show on the 4th, parking and admission are free and it opens at 3 pm with only 700 first-come, first-served parking spaces available. More info

Pool Party and Fireworks Viewing

Palm Springs Swim Center heats up with a patriotic pool party starting on Thursday, July 4 at 3 pm. Splash into summer vibes with food, drinks, and pool toys; cool off under the desert sun while celebrating America’s birthday with fellow revelers. As night falls, the pool transforms into a front-row seat for the dazzling fireworks display erupting at 9:15 pm. Don your swimsuit, grab your red, white, and blue, and dive into an unforgettable Independence Day celebration. More info

Party in the USA Skate

Kick off the holiday with an extended 4-hour public skate on Thursday, July 4 from 11 am–3 pm at the Berger Foundation Iceplex at Acrisure Arena, featuring a $7 “Sparkler Special” with your choice of beer, cocktail, or mocktail plus an All-American hot dog. On Friday, July 5 from 6:30–8:30 pm, bring the entire family to the Independence Day celebration, featuring 2 hours of family fun, including games, costume contest, giveaways, and more. Receive a free skate rental when you wear red, white and blue and enjoy treats like a Firecracker Slushie or Frozen Cherry Slushie. More info

Villagefest Open on Thursday, July 4

Villagefest is the well-known vibrant street fair which transforms downtown Palm Canyon Drive every Thursday night, and July 4th is no exception. From 7–10 pm, stroll through the pedestrian-only zone, browse local vendors for unique finds, savor delicious food, and soak up the lively atmosphere. More info

Bye Bye Birdie

Palm Canyon Theatre presents the musical Bye Bye Birdie from July 5–14. Set in the 1950s, this story is reminiscent of the King of Rock. A songwriter finds himself in trouble when the rock-and-roll teen hearthrob he writes for, Conrad Birdie, is drafted into the Army. As a publicity stunt to record and sell one more hit record before he is sent overseas, a televised farewell is planned with Birdie set to kiss a preselected All-American girl. Get tickets

Hot Pink Fourth of July Weekend Starring Mo Heart

Trixie Motel presents a HOT PINK Fourth of July Weekend starring Mo Heart on Saturday, July 6 from 11 am–4 pm. Join in the hottest, pinkest party here in Palm Springs, with DJ Mod Girl to keep the vibe going all day. There will be shows on the top of every hour starting at 1 pm by host Mo Heart, and featuring some of the fiercest Southern California drag talent. Grab your friends, put on your best pink bathing suit, and come party poolside at Trixie Motel. More info

New Kids on the Block Summer Magic Tour

The OG boy band New Kids On The Block is making a stop at Acrisure Arena on Saturday, July 6 at 7 pm. The band, also initialized as NKOTB, consists of brothers Jonathan and Jordan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood. NKOTB enjoyed global success in the late 1980s and early 1990s and have sold more than 80 million records worldwide, and are often credited for paving the way for future boy bands such as Take That, Backstreet Boys and NSYNC. In case you didn’t know: NKOTB fans are known as “Blockheads” and the “Blockhead Family.” Get tickets

Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones

The Palm Springs Cultural Center is bringing you the full Star Wars Saga in epic big-screen glory, unfolding one film at a time, every Summer Saturday at 6 pm with a pre-show and cocktails starting at 5 pm. This Saturday, July 6, the series continues with Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones. Get tickets

Dadfest at CCBC

CCBC Resort presents Western Xposure’s Dadfest all weekend long from Thursday, July 4–Sunday, July 7. This is a celebration of, you guessed it, daddies! Enjoy pool parties, BBQs, and great music featuring DJs from DRY HEAT poolside all weekend and at Barracks’ “Cocksocks and Jocks” party Friday night, bringing their unique sound to all of Dadfest. Saturday night is the BearUnion party. Plus there are CCBC’s trails to explore, grassy areas to relax in, dark rooms and outdoor play spaces, and much more including hot tubs, a steam room, and cold plunge waterfall. More info

Tom Papa

The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa Rancho Mirage presents comedian Tom Papa on Saturday, July 6 at 8 pm. A renowned stand-up comedian, Papa has a successful career in film, TV, radio, and podcasts; with five highly-rated Netflix specials, including “What A Day!,” he has established himself as one of the top comedic voices in the country. In addition to stand-up, Tom has authored three books, including his latest We’re All In This Together…So Make Some Room, which addresses our shared human experiences. Get tickets

Palm Springs Animal Shelter Independence Week Adoption Special

In celebration of our country’s 248th birthday, the Palm Springs Animal Shelter is holding an Independence Week Adoption Special, with a special adoption fee of just $2.48 on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, July 5, 6 & 7 from 11 am–5 pm. Additionally, all adopters will receive a 50% discount on all purchases in their retail store. Stop by and help their animals find independence in their new forever home! More info

KGAY on “American Dream”

JUST RELEASED! Segment 2 of HGTV’s “American Dream” episode featuring KGAY’s Brad Fuhr and host Scott Griffin celebrating Trixie Motel, The Velvet Rope, Acrisure Arena, and all that is fun, fabulous, and inclusive in Palm Springs!