Thermal was chock full of cowboys and cowgirls at the Desert Rodeo the last weekend in April, and the party is continuing in Palm Springs at Hot Rodeo. The fun will take place May 1-4, with the rodeo itself in Banning, a quick drive down the 10 freeway.
This year is HUGE for a couple of reasons. First, we’re celebrating 50 years of Gay Rodeo. That’s right, for 50 years Gay Rodeo has been holding events with cowboys who like boys and cowgirls who like girls, and the world keeps spinning.
And it’s historically significant for another reason — this year it’s an all women-led event, the first ever, which is appropriate for a town that was built by women who embraced the gay community. Like I said, it’s BIG!
What happens at Hot Rodeo? Bull riding, barrel racing, team roping, breakaway roping, steer decorating (what?), pole bending, chute dogging, flag racing, wild drag race, and ranch saddle bronc riding (new for 2025). I think those are all at the rodeo itself, but it can get pretty wild in the gayborhood so I’m hedging my bets. Also, burn this. What happens at Hot Rodeo stays at Hot Rodeo.
Hot Rodeo events
Thursday, May 1
6 p.m.: Dance Contest, Tool Shed, 600 E. Sunny Dunes Rd, Palm Springs.
Friday, May 2
1 p.m.: Pool Party, Motel 6, Palm Springs.
6 p.m.: Contestant registration, Tool Shed.
7 p.m.: Cowgirl Night, Hunters Nightclub, 302 E. Arenas Road, Palm Springs. (It’s been announced that The Barebacks will perform, but that doesn’t seem to be solid.)
Saturday, May 3
10 a.m.: Hot Rodeo, A.C.Dysart Equestrian Park 2030–2198 W. Victory Ave., Banning. Gates to open at 9:30 a.m., with Grand Entry at noon.
7 p.m.: Dancing Under the Stars (Day 1/2), Oscar’s Palm Springs, 125 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs.
Sunday May 4
10 a.m.: Hot Rodeo, A.C.Dysart Equestrian Park 2030–2198 W. Victory Ave., Banning. Gates to open at 9:30 a.m., with Grand Entry at noon.
7 p.m.: Dancing Under the Stars (Day 2/2). Oscar’s Palm Springs. (I think the awards presentation is here as well, but the schedule doesn’t commit to it.)
Everything you need to know about the events including tickets and passes can be found here.
Where to stay in Palm Springs
Looking for a hotel that fits the vibe? I’ve got you:
Old Ranch Inn — A modern take on the spirit of the old west, this eight-room boutique hotel is in the heart of the Historic Tennis Club neighborhood, within walking distance of Palm Springs’ best restaurants, shops, and clubs.
Coyote Inn — A small and intimate boutique hotel with seven romantic rooms opening onto an enclosed patio with pool and spa. It is an exclusive Spanish Mission-style inn, fully walled and gated. Walking distance to downtown Palm Springs.
Hotel California — Consistently voted as one of the top hotels in not just Palm Springs, but the entire country.
Horsin’ around
If you’re not competing, but you’d love to do a bit of riding that involves horses, check out Smoke Tree Stables, which offers guided trail rides along the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains and through the Agua Caliente Indian Canyons. Options range from hourly rides to full-day excursions, and group rides can include Western cookouts or themed events.
BONUS: The Coachella Valley Derby Girls will play the South Coast Roller Derby at the Palm Springs Air Museum on May 3. When I was a kid trying to find something to watch on TV when it was rainy outside, Roller Derby was often on one of the independent channels. The guys were hot, but man it was violent. But then they started showing the girl teams, and while they were trying to achieve the same goal, they weren’t violent, just very insistent (some call it pushy) and wildly creative with their moves. It’s slam poetry in motion.
While you’re here, please consider staying and shopping locally. We absolutely appreciate your business. Plus, we like you.
