Shoppers and supporters can expect a bolder Bare Chest Calendar in 2027, with group portraits replacing the usual solo pin-ups. Photographed around California's Russian River and San Francisco, the edition celebrates friendship, fundraising and LGBTQ+ community organisations, while offering fans a more candid glimpse of the men behind this long-running charitable project.

Essential Takeaways

  • A fresh format: Each month's main image features several calendar men rather than one solo model.
  • A meaningful milestone: Nicholas Galarza appears as Mr January for a second consecutive year.
  • Fundraising with purpose: Proceeds support organisations including PRC, LYRIC, the Rainbow Community Center and an LGBTQ+ veterans' post.
  • A long-running tradition: The 2027 edition marks the calendar's 43rd year.
  • What it costs: The calendar is priced at $25, with an additional US shipping charge for online orders.

The 2027 Bare Chest Calendar swaps solo shots for group energy

The biggest change is immediately clear: the 2027 Bare Chest Calendar is built around togetherness. Instead of giving every month a single star turn, its main images bring several of the calendar men into the same frame, whether they're paddling along the Russian River, gathered beside a fire or enjoying a relaxed day on the water.

It gives the finished calendar a warmer, more spontaneous feel. The men still get individual visibility through smaller supporting images, but the overall impression is less polished pin-up and more shared adventure. According to the Bay Area Reporter, the idea was designed to reflect the bonds formed during the calendar's demanding fundraising season.

That makes the edition feel like a genuine snapshot of a team, rather than simply a collection of handsome portraits.

Behind the scenes, the calendar men became a team

The photographs were taken during a group weekend in Guerneville, a popular LGBTQ+ destination in Sonoma County, followed by additional sessions in San Francisco. Photographers Tom Schmidt and Joe Mazza captured the men in settings that feel distinctly Northern Californian, from riverbanks to cosy indoor spaces.

The result is a calendar with more movement and atmosphere. Canoes, campfires and river tubing bring a soft sense of place, while the smaller images around each month's date grid keep the format recognisable for returning buyers.

The Bare Chest Calendar's official website presents the project as both a calendar and a fundraising platform. That distinction matters, because the appeal isn't only the photographs. For many supporters, buying the calendar is a small, cheerful way to stay connected to a larger community effort.

Why Nicholas Galarza's return is especially significant

Nicholas Galarza's consecutive appearance as Mr January is one of the edition's quieter milestones. Repeat appearances are unusual, particularly in back-to-back years, so his return gives the 2027 calendar a familiar face and a useful thread connecting two editions.

Galarza's story also brings emotional weight to the project. He has spoken publicly about homelessness, addiction, HIV and recovery, and has credited community services with helping him rebuild his life. He is now studying social work, with ambitions to support LGBTQ+ young people facing homelessness.

That background gives the calendar's charitable mission a human face. It isn't just about raising a target or filling a wall; it's also about showing what support can make possible. The pride and recovery work represented by organisations such as PRC and local LGBTQ+ groups sits just beneath the glossy surface.

Where the money goes

The 2027 calendar supports several beneficiaries, including PRC, LYRIC Center for LGBTQQ Youth, the Rainbow Community Center and the American Legion Alexander Hamilton Post 440. Together, those organisations cover a broad range of needs, from HIV-related support and recovery services to youth assistance, community connection and LGBTQ+ veterans' advocacy.

The calendar has raised millions of dollars since its launch, with recent contributions helping fund practical services. PRC has reportedly received more than $300,000 from the project since 2022, while the wider calendar initiative has raised more than $3.5 million over its history.

For buyers, that makes the $25 price feel relatively easy to justify. You get something colourful for the wall, but your purchase also contributes to organisations doing less glamorous, essential work all year round.

What buyers should know before ordering

The 2027 Bare Chest Calendar costs $25, with a further $5 charge for US delivery when ordered online. It can be purchased through the project's website, which also provides information for people interested in competing for a future edition.

This isn't a calendar for someone seeking twelve entirely separate solo portraits. The group-led design is the central idea, so buyers who prefer a more traditional pin-up format may find the 2027 edition a little different. On the other hand, anyone drawn to candid group photographs, community stories and a stronger sense of place will likely appreciate the change.

The project is already looking towards its next milestone, with the 2028 selection expected to take the number of featured men beyond 400. For a calendar that began as an AIDS fundraising effort, that's a striking measure of its longevity and reach.

It’s a good-looking wall calendar with a much bigger heart than its cover suggests.

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