White Party’s Fun in the Sun Returns to Palm Springs

One of the world’s biggest and longest-running queer dance music festivals, the White Party, is returning to Palm Springs April 29-May 1, 2022.

Get your reservations now, because the White Party is a unique and memorable experience that draws thousands of mainly gay men from all over the world who gather in the small desert town for several days to dance, be themselves, and have a good time.

I went to the White Party for the first time a couple of years after coming out of the closet. Although the Saturday night “White Party” is the main event, I had a blast at the pool parties.

I know that many people’s favorite event is the Sunday afternoon “tea dance.” But the WP delivers whether you like big dances, huge pool parties, or a celebratory queer environment.

White Party Global (WPG) announced that the 2022 White Party will take place at the Hilton Palm Springs, and expect thousands of revelers from around the world to arrive in the desert community for three days of festivities.

White Party founder Jeffrey Sanker

This year’s event will pay tribute to Jeffrey Sanker, who founded the White Party in 1989 and died at age 65 in 2021 after a battle with cancer. Sanker was also a notable member of the community, being honored in 2014 with a star on The Palm Springs’ “Walk of Stars.” The walk recognizes notable individuals who have contributed to the cultural and/or civic life of Palm Springs.

“It is an honor to continue White Party Palm Springs for my dear friend Jeffrey,” said Chris Diamond, White Party Global Executive Producer.

“As we move forward with his vision of inclusion, diversity, and decadence, we are truly excited to once again showcase new dance music trends, global DJs, recording artists, state-of-the-art sound & visuals – and most importantly our returning guests… beautiful men from all over the world.”

The three-day party is jam-packed with all types of events.

SOAKED! will feature poolside dancing, state of the art sound, video, go-go guys, and a line-up of world-famous DJs, including Orel Sabag (Israel), Isis (Mexico) and Bruno Knauer (Brazil), and Arno Diem (France).

Palm Springs and its neighboring town Cathedral City offer the ideal setting for poolside parties–which take place all three days during White Party–with a laid back and relaxed lifestyle and consistently brilliant sunshine, only two hours from Los Angeles.

The desert area’s notoriety as a Hollywood film location has existed since the 1910s, with its vacant land, mountains and boulders used for westerns, and sand dunes for films about the Arabian desert; much of which still exists today.

Palm Springs’ LGBTQ population is now estimated at more than 51 percent, the highest per capita gay population in the US, if not the world. The desert getaway achieved a measure of fame in 2018 when voters elected the nation’s first city council consisting entirely of members of the LGBTQ community.

The poolside fun is rivaled by the nighttime festivities. On Friday night, a ‘Rio’ jungle themed throw-down will kick off WPG weekend with DJs Liza Rodriguez (Brazil) and Dani Brasil (Brazil).

Saturday brings the weekend’s most anticipated night as WPG celebrates 30+ years with an ‘eternal’ themed WP spectacle. The 6-hour superhero-themed party will feature state-of-the-art staging, lighting, and sound.

Attendees are welcome to wear the traditional white outfits or dress as their favorite inter-dimensional superhero character. DJ’s driving WP’s main event are Rick Braile (Brazil), Chris Turina (Chile), and Phil Romano (Italy).

On Sunday, it’s time for the world-famous “T-Dance.” The Big Top Circus gets underway in the afternoon, continuing into the night as the sun sets behind the spectacular mountains of Palm Springs. Warm breezes and hot dancing bodies are expected to fill the outdoor dance floor, with music by international DJs Ben Bakson (Germany) and Dan Slater (Australia).

The night culminates with a climactic fireworks and video display in the tribute to the WP’s gay party impresario Jeffrey Sanker.

The high-energy closing party features “Afterlife,” with DJs Joe Gauthreaux (New Orleans) and Mauro Mozart (Brazil) providing the night’s beats.

Information on the host hotel, weekend pass pricing, and event details can be found at WhitePartyGlobal.com. (All tickets purchased pre-pandemic will be honored for Palm Springs White Party 2022 and 2023). Weekend passes begin at $395.

Additional special guests will be unveiled within the coming months. To keep up to date on the latest announcements and new musical guests, visit the WPG website, and follow them on social via Instagram and Facebook.

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