Greater Palm Springs Pride names Aubrey O’Day, The Cowgays as 2026 headliners

Greater Palm Springs Pride announced that recording artist and television personality Aubrey O’Day and the country trio The Cowgays will headline the 40th annual Palm Springs Pride celebration Nov. 6-8 in downtown Palm Springs.

Additional performers will be announced in the coming weeks, organizers said. The lineup is expected to include regional favorites, emerging artists and talent from across the LGBTQ+ community and beyond.

The festival will feature live music, drag entertainment, DJs and special performances across three stages in downtown Palm Springs and the Arenas District.

O’Day first gained national attention as a founding member of the pop group Danity Kane, which was formed on MTV’s “Making the Band.” O’Day later co-founded the dance-pop duo dumblonde and has worked in music, television, Broadway, performance and creative direction.

The Cowgays are a Nashville-based trio made up of Adam Mac, Brooke Eden and Chris Housman. Their sound draws on the country music of the 1990s, which they grew up with, and presents it through a queer lens, with three-part harmonies, humor and theatricality in their live shows.

“For 40 years, Palm Springs Pride has been built by people who believe everyone deserves a place where they can show up exactly as they are and know they are part of something bigger,” said Jasmine Sullivan Waits, executive director of Greater Palm Springs Pride.

“At a time when nonprofits and community celebrations everywhere are navigating a more challenging economic environment, we remain committed to what makes Palm Springs Pride special: keeping this celebration free, welcoming, and accessible to everyone,” Waits said. “‘Be Included’ is our promise that no matter the challenges, we will continue creating a place where our community can gather, celebrate, be seen, and experience joy together.”

“Be Included” is this year’s theme. Organizers said it reflects an effort to create spaces where LGBTQ+ people and allies are actively included and represented.

Admission is free. Attendees can visit the festival marketplace, community organizations and entertainment without buying a ticket.

The weekend will culminate with the Palm Springs Pride Parade on Sunday, Nov. 8. The parade begins at 10 a.m. along Palm Canyon Drive.

Information about the festival and ways to support it are available at pspride.org.

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