Festivalgoers are heading to Palm Springs from 30 September to 4 October 2026 for The Dinah, the landmark queer women’s festival celebrating its 35th year. With major live acts, comedy, DJs and fresh plans for solo and gender-expansive guests, the event is shaping up to be both a huge party and a welcoming community gathering.

Essential Takeaways

  • When and where: The Dinah 2026 runs from 30 September to 4 October in Palm Springs, California.
  • Music lineup: Hayley Kiyoko, Da Brat, Sasha Keable and The Aces are scheduled to perform.
  • More than concerts: Expect DJs, comedy, pool events, workouts and social gatherings.
  • Solo-friendly plans: A new singles-and-solos event is designed to help people attending alone meet others.
  • A broader welcome: Organisers say they’re putting greater focus on trans-inclusive, gender-expansive and queer-inclusive experiences.

The Dinah turns 35 with Palm Springs at its heart

There’s a particular kind of holiday magic in arriving somewhere warm, spotting a pool glittering in the sun and realising almost everyone around you understands why you’re there. That feeling has helped The Dinah become one of the best-known queer women’s festivals in the world.

The 2026 event will take over Palm Springs across five days, combining live music, nightlife and social events with the relaxed, resort-style atmosphere that has long defined the gathering. According to The Dinah’s official website, the festival remains a major annual date for LGBTQ+ travellers looking for connection as much as entertainment.

The event’s roots stretch back to gatherings linked to the Dinah Shore golf tournament, when queer women began meeting in the desert. Since then, it’s grown into a highly visible celebration, and that evolution matters. For many attendees, simply being surrounded by so many openly queer people can feel quietly life-changing.

A lively 2026 lineup brings pop, hip-hop and rock together

The music programme is designed to avoid putting the festival in one neat box. Hayley Kiyoko brings her polished pop and LGBTQ+ icon status, while Da Brat adds old-school hip-hop energy. Sasha Keable and The Aces broaden the bill with contemporary R&B and guitar-led pop.

The festival will also feature 10 DJs, giving the schedule plenty of late-night momentum. Listings from IGLTA and Gay Desert Guide confirm The Dinah’s continuing appeal as a multi-day destination rather than a single concert night.

Comedy is part of the mix, too, with Cameron Esposito, Pink Foxx and Abe Farrelly included in the returning comedy programme. That balance is smart: after a loud night by the pool, a sharp stand-up set can be just the reset a festivalgoer needs.

What else can visitors expect?

The Dinah isn’t built around the stage alone. Guests can expect morning workouts with Ripped Rosales at Hotel Zoso, poolside events and plenty of opportunities to drift between venues, drinks and conversations.

There’s also a new non-alcoholic option, the Dinah Sapphix Sunrise, with tequila available for those who want it. It’s a small but useful touch, especially for visitors who want to stay out late without making every event revolve around alcohol.

Festival listings from Festivals in America and Wavvia describe The Dinah as a broad LGBTQ+ gathering with music, parties and social activities. In practical terms, that means visitors should check the daily timetable carefully and leave room for the unexpected. Some of the best festival memories rarely come from the event you planned most carefully.

Going alone? The new social event could help

One of the most promising additions for 2026 is a dedicated singles-and-solos gathering. It’s aimed at people arriving alone, travelling from another city or simply hoping to make new connections without having to launch themselves into a crowded party cold.

That matters because large festivals can be strangely intimidating. They look sociable from the outside, but walking into one without a familiar face can still feel awkward. The new event gives solo visitors a clear starting point, rather than leaving them to decode the social geography of a busy resort.

The Dinah’s established audience already includes travellers from across the United States and beyond, according to its event listings. So if you’re considering going alone, book accommodation early, use official channels for event details and treat the first day as an easy introduction rather than a test of stamina.

A stronger focus on inclusion and safety

The new ownership team, Bella Barkow and Rose Garcia, says it wants The Dinah to feel more welcoming to transgender, gender-expansive and queer attendees. That focus reflects a wider expectation across LGBTQ+ events: visibility matters, but so do thoughtful policies, clear communication and spaces where people can relax without having to explain themselves.

The issue is especially resonant while LGBTQ+ venues and community spaces continue to face threats and violence. The festival’s organisers have framed The Dinah as a place where people can gather openly and find reassurance in numbers.

That doesn’t make a large event automatically perfect, of course. Visitors should still look for practical details around accessibility, transport, venue rules and personal safety before travelling. But the ambition is clear. The Dinah wants to remain a party, while also protecting the sense of belonging that made it important in the first place.

Why The Dinah still matters after 35 years

Festivals come and go, but The Dinah’s longevity says something about the need for dedicated queer spaces. Its mix of poolside fun, music and community gives attendees the chance to celebrate without shrinking themselves to fit the room.

For some visitors, it’ll be a major holiday with headline acts and late nights. For others, it may be the first time they’ve seen such a large, openly queer crowd gathered in one place. That contrast is part of the festival’s power.

With a varied 2026 programme and a renewed effort to welcome more of the community, The Dinah is looking towards its next chapter without losing sight of the reason people keep returning.

Whether you’re travelling with friends or arriving solo, plan the essentials and leave space for new ones.

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