Palm Springs Pride moves forward with 2025 festival despite $325K sponsorship shortfall

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) - The annual Palm Springs Pride celebration will proceed as scheduled, despite a significant shortfall of $325,000 in expected funding, organizers announced on Friday.

Palm Springs Pride 2025 is scheduled to take place Nov. 6-9. The four-day celebration will remain free to attend and is expected to attract over 200,000 people to the Palm Springs area, generating an estimated $35 million in economic impact, organizers said.

Organizers with Greater Palm Springs Pride said they believe the shortfall is a direct result of the current political climate, which has led to a decrease in sponsorships.

"The organization believes the shortfall is a direct result of the current political climate, which has led to a decrease in sponsorships. However, Palm Springs Pride remains driven by its mission of honoring the LGBTQ+ community's struggle for equality and celebrating its rich history, diversity, and future. Organizers are honoring the struggle and creating a path forward just as members of the LGBTQ+ community have done since the 1969 Stonewall Uprising."

- Greater Palm Springs Pride

According to Greater Palm Springs Pride President and mayor, Ron deHarte, some of the loss is connected to one donor who has political ties to the Trump administration. He would not name the donor.

"We're seeing a lot of our local and, national vendors just cutting back on their marketing dollars this year. But a big vendor, a very large, significant vendor out of Florida, is directly tied to the current administration's political position," deHarte said.

He says the funding cuts will likely impact the festival's entertainment lineup, with the cuts shrinking the festival's budget from nearly $1.2 million to around $800,000 according to Mayor deHarte.

"I think we're going to see maybe we won't have such large stages. Maybe there won't be such grandiose names on the entertainment lineup, but the festival footprint is going to be the same footprint that we've seen for years downtown."

He also addressed proposals around making the festival ticketed, but said Pride does everything in it's power to keep the event free.

"We're the largest festival that's free south of San Francisco. We committed to that back in 2014 and it's something that makes Palm Springs unique. It takes away all financial barriers for somebody who wants to come out and participate in pride. So we're committed to continuing to do everything we can to keep the festival free," deHarte said.

Planning is underway to ensure the festival and parade remain as meaningful as ever. The commitment to a safe and welcoming environment for all attendees remains a top priority.

Tax-deductible donations can be made online at Pspride.org or by participating in the Equality Walk, presented by Silvercrest, at www.pspride.org/walk.

The Pride Landmark Flagpole and the LGBTQ+ Civil Rights Sculpture are long-planned projects that are not affected by the recent political climate.

"We're doubling down on what makes Palm Springs Pride so special. We're a friendly, welcoming, and diverse city. Our Pride is celebratory and political, and we will not be quiet," deHarte added. "The community will not shy away from addressing today's social justice challenges."