Festivalgoers are returning to Palm Springs for The Dinah 2026, a five-day LGBTQ+ celebration combining pool parties, live music, comedy and late-night events. As the festival marks 35 years, new owners Bella Barco and Rose Garcia are taking the reins while keeping its central promise intact: joyful community, connection and plenty of dancing.

Essential Takeaways

  • A major anniversary: The Dinah is celebrating its 35th year in Palm Springs.
  • New leadership: Longtime team members Bella Barco and Rose Garcia have become the festival's new owners.
  • Big-name entertainment: The 2026 programme includes Hayley Kiyoko, Da Brat, The Aces and Sasha Keeble.
  • City-wide atmosphere: Events are taking place at the Hilton Palm Springs, Hotel Soso and other venues.
  • More than a party: Organisers and returning guests describe The Dinah as a place to find friendship, belonging and confidence.

Palm Springs is ready for another lively Dinah

Palm Springs is buzzing with the familiar mix of poolside sunshine, loud music and reunion energy as The Dinah returns for its 35th anniversary. The festival has become one of the Coachella Valley's biggest LGBTQ+ gatherings, drawing visitors for five days of concerts, DJs, comedy and evening events.

According to NBC Palm Springs, the 2026 celebration runs through 4 October, with activities spread across several venues. It's the sort of event where a hotel pool can feel like a concert stage by afternoon, then the whole city shifts into nightlife mode after dark.

A 35-year story gets a fresh set of leaders

The anniversary also marks a significant change behind the scenes. Founder Mariah Hansen has stepped away after 35 years, with longtime Dinah team members Bella Barco and Rose Garcia taking ownership of the festival.

BroadwayWorld reported that the transition places the event in the hands of people who already understand its rhythm, audience and emotional importance. That continuity matters: The Dinah isn't simply a date in the party calendar, but a tradition many guests have built into their lives.

Barco has said the festival's community focus feels particularly valuable during a politically and socially divisive period. Her message is straightforward: people need somewhere energetic, welcoming and unapologetically queer to gather.

The 2026 line-up brings star power

This year's entertainment gives regulars plenty to look forward to, with Hayley Kiyoko and Da Brat leading the bill. The Aces and Sasha Keeble are also scheduled to perform, adding a broad mix of pop, hip-hop and live festival energy.

The official Dinah programme presents the event as a combination of headline performances, pool parties, DJ sets and nightlife. That variety is part of the appeal. Guests can spend the day in sunglasses and swimwear, then swap the flip-flops for something sharper when the evening programme begins.

For first-time visitors, checking venue details and event timings in advance is sensible. The festival takes place across Palm Springs, so a little planning can mean less rushing and more time enjoying the atmosphere.

Why people keep coming back

The strongest part of The Dinah's story isn't necessarily the celebrity line-up. It's the long trail of friendships and memories attached to the event. People who attended its earliest gatherings in the 1990s still return, while newer guests continue to describe it as a place where they can relax into themselves.

The festival's own history highlights that sense of belonging, and local event listings show how firmly it remains rooted in Palm Springs. For many attendees, returning isn't just about seeing a favourite performer. It's about meeting the same friends again, making new ones and feeling briefly held by a crowd that understands the occasion.

That kind of atmosphere can't be manufactured with a bigger stage or brighter lighting. It comes from repetition, trust and the simple pleasure of knowing you'll find familiar faces somewhere near the pool.

What the next chapter could look like

New ownership naturally brings questions, especially when an event has such a long history. Yet Barco and Garcia are taking over with deep knowledge of the festival, while organisers continue to emphasise the same blend of music, celebration and community.

The challenge will be preserving what longtime guests love while making space for new audiences and fresh ideas. The early signs point towards evolution rather than reinvention, which feels like the right approach for a festival with such a loyal following.

After 35 years, The Dinah has proved that a joyful gathering can become part of people's personal history. The next chapter has plenty to live up to, but it also has a warm, welcoming foundation.

It's a small city-wide celebration with a surprisingly big sense of home.

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