Palm Springs Pride returns from 6 to 8 November as Canadian travel to the US shows signs of recovery, but remains well below 2024 levels. For visitors weighing a sunny desert escape, the picture is mixed: the city’s airport is slightly behind its record pace, while local hotels report strong bookings and organisers are welcoming Canadians back.
Canadian travel is rising, but still hasn’t recovered
Statistics Canada counted 1.9 million Canadian return trips from the US by air and car in September, up 6.8% on the same month a year earlier. It was the sixth consecutive month of annual growth, a welcome nudge in the right direction for US destinations hoping to see more Canadian visitors. (Statistics Canada)
But the rebound needs a little context. September’s car trips were still 31.1% below September 2024, while air trips were down 18.7%. Those figures cover travel across the US, not Palm Springs specifically, so they’re a national snapshot rather than a local visitor count. (Statistics Canada)
There’s also a data wrinkle: Statistics Canada began including NEXUS highway data in its September figures and advised caution when comparing them with earlier months. Even so, the broader picture is clear enough: more Canadians are travelling south than a year ago, but many haven’t returned to their previous habits. (Statistics Canada)
Palm Springs airport is just behind its record
Palm Springs International Airport welcomed more than 3.3 million passengers in 2025, its busiest year on record. In September 2026, airport spokesman Jake Ingrassia told KESQ that passenger numbers were running slightly behind that pace, while some seasonal routes were returning earlier than in the previous year. (KESQ)
Domestic growth has helped cushion a softer Canadian market. Scheduled arrivals from Canada were down 5% in January and 17% in February compared with a year earlier, according to figures cited by The Palm Springs Post. Airport officials said growth in domestic travel was more than making up for the difference. (The Palm Springs Post)
That’s useful context for Pride-goers planning their journey: a quieter Canadian route doesn’t necessarily mean a quiet city. KESQ reported that local hotel managers described bookings for the fourth quarter and first quarter as well ahead of the same time last year. (KESQ)
Why some Canadian snowbirds are staying home
Canadian visits to California fell just over 18% in 2025, to about 1.4 million, the Los Angeles Times reported. The downturn came amid anger over US tariffs and President Donald Trump’s comments about Canada, with some travellers choosing to stay home rather than spend their holiday money south of the border. (Los Angeles Times)
The chill has been felt beyond Palm Springs. WestJet cut some US flying after a notable drop in demand for transborder travel, while Canadian volunteers who returned for Modernism Week received an enthusiastic welcome. It’s a small, human reminder that travel numbers aren’t just about routes and seats; they reflect how people feel about the places they visit. (Los Angeles Times)
Pride’s “Be Included” message welcomes visitors
Greater Palm Springs Pride runs from 6 to 8 November, with this year’s theme, “Be Included”, inviting people to embrace their full selves. The message feels particularly apt at a time when the city is trying to make Canadian visitors feel welcome again. (Greater Palm Springs Pride)
In April 2025, Palm Springs city council approved “We love Canadians” street banners. Then-mayor Ron deHarte, now president of Greater Palm Springs Pride, said the gesture was a way to show appreciation for Canadian support. It’s a simple welcome, but in a year of strained travel sentiment, small signals can carry weight. (The Palm Springs Post)
Planning a Pride weekend in Palm Springs
The Pride parade is scheduled to step off at 10 a.m. on Sunday, 8 November, and head south along Palm Canyon Drive. Oscar’s, a downtown LGBTQ+ bar and restaurant, has also listed a Pride T-dance from 3 to 7 p.m. that afternoon. (Greater Palm Springs Pride)
For Canadian visitors, the practical move is to check flights and accommodation directly before booking, especially if you’re relying on a seasonal route. And if you’re planning to join the parade, leave room for the usual weekend crowds: a popular event can make a short walk feel longer, particularly in the desert sun. (Greater Palm Springs Pride)
Palm Springs is welcoming visitors back, even as the wider travel picture remains uneven. For Pride weekend, the best plan is to book thoughtfully and bring your most celebratory shoes.
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