Home / Arts and Entertainment / The Dinah Returns: Iconic Queer Fest Resurfaces in 2026
The Dinah Returns: Iconic Queer Fest Resurfaces in 2026
4 Mar
Summary
- The Dinah, a famed queer music festival, will return in 2026 after a hiatus.
- New ownership includes longtime team members Bella Barkow and Rose Garcia.
- The event has previously featured performances by Lady Gaga and Katy Perry.
The Dinah, a landmark queer women's music festival, will return to Palm Springs for its 35th anniversary from September 30 to October 4, 2026. The event will be hosted at the Hilton Palm Springs and Hotel Zoso. This comeback follows the retirement of its founder, Mariah Hanson, who expressed a desire for a "fresh voice" to lead the festival.
New leadership for The Dinah now rests with longtime team members Bella Barkow, the Operations Manager, and Rose Garcia, a reality TV star and emcee. Hanson, who established the festival in 1991, will remain as a consultant. The Dinah has a storied history, having previously welcomed performers such as Lady Gaga and Katy Perry, often before their rise to global fame.
Originally coinciding with a women's golf tournament, The Dinah has evolved significantly since its inception at the Palm Springs Art Museum. While it has recently been held in September, there is a future aspiration to return to its original April timing by 2027. The festival has played a crucial role in elevating queer women within the music industry, ensuring their visibility and influence.
