The month of December tends to fly by – the hustle and bustle of holiday celebrations, shopping, and many ways to commemorate Christmas, New Year’s and all the others.
In fact, as I shared on “the Facebook” yesterday, there are approximately 29 holidays observed by seven of the world’s largest religions between November and mid-January. So “Happy Holidays” is an appropriate greeting.
I’m in Michigan with my family for a post-Thanksgiving, parent’s anniversary and check in this week. I’ll return to Palm Springs in time for the Festival of Lights, then our company holiday party next week.
There are many ways to help those in need over the holidays. It’s that true spirit of giving that makes it special to me and shifts it from a religious to a secular time. So: may your days be Merry & Bright and may all your celebrations be all of the above…
The City of Palm Springs presents the 31st Annual Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade: Jingle All the Way on Saturday, December 2 at 5:45 pm on Palm Canyon Drive. The parade, the City’s signature holiday event and a much loved tradition, features spectacular twinkling floats, magnificent marching bands, huge Macy’s-style holiday balloons – and Santa Claus of course. John Taylor, KGAY 106.5 Morning Host, will be on hand with Bella da Ball at the reviewing stand stage at Palm Canyon Drive and Granvia Val Monte! More info  The Official City of Palm Springs Holiday Tree Lighting takes place the day before, on Friday, December 1 at 4:30 pm in Frances Steven Park. More info
World AIDS Day
The HIV + Aging Research Project marks World AIDS Day in partnership with Reversing Immune Deficiency in HIV Collaboratory (RID-HIV) for the 2nd Annual Timothy Ray Brown Community Cure Symposium on Friday, December 1 from 4:30–8 pm. The event is named to honor the legacy of Timothy Ray Brown, a Palm Springs Resident and the first person cured of HIV [More info]. Just before the symposium, at 2:30 pm, there will be a ceremony for a star honoring Timothy Ray Brown on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars [More info].
Also honoring World AIDS Day, the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert is holding a Reading of the Names on Friday, December 1 at noon, remembering those we have lost to AIDS-related illnesses. More info
Low Dez Fest
Low Dez Fest is a wine, beer, food, music and art festival taking place on Saturday, December 2 from 2–7 pm at Market Market. Palm Springs Bottle Shop is bringing together LGBTQ+, women, and BIPOC winemakers, brewers, distributors, and others to build community, showcase their products, learn from one another, and relax/revitalize in the desert magic of Palm Springs. Enjoy a day and evening of wine, beer, dining, shopping, camaraderie, performances, art, and more in a gorgeous setting. Get tickets
We have a featured Hot Deal for savings at Papa Dan’s Pizza & Pasta, plus deals at Coachella Valley Coffee Co., Rick’s Desert Grill, Lulu California Bistro, PS HomeBoys, Monster Shakes, Men’s Grooming Spot, Il Giardino, V Wine Lounge, Zin American Bistro, Destination PSP, Thai Smile, 1501 Uptown Gastropub, Rick’s Desert Grill, Boozehounds, Trevor Wayne Store, Kitchen 86, Palm Springs Fine Men’s Salon, and more!
Readers of the Coachella Valley Independent and viewers of KESQ Channel 3 voted in the Best of Coachella Valley 2023-2024 poll, and once again we are dancing for joy because we are WINNERS! KGAY 106.5 is honored in the TOP SPOT as BEST RADIO STATION for the 5th year running! KGAY deejays were honored as well, with DJ Modgirl and DJ Galaxy taking the top spots in their category of Best Local DJ—and John Taylor, KGAY morning host, is honored along with Patrick Evans, afternoon host of our sister station, 103.1 MeTV fm, in the Best Local Radio Personality category! See the full list of winners in all categories at cvindependent.com
Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade
 The Official City of Palm Springs Holiday Tree Lighting takes place the day before, on Friday, December 1 at 4:30 pm in Frances Steven Park. 
Low Dez Fest
