Palm Springs goes platinum blonde for Marilyn Monroe’s 100th birthday party | News
Palm Springs is about to take the spotlight with a citywide tribute to one of Hollywood’s most iconic stars. Hosted by Palm Springs Pride and presented by PS Resorts, Marilyn 100 runs from May 28 to June 1, 2026 and, in honor of what would have been Marilyn Monroe’s 100th birthday, will gather fans, film buffs and glamor seekers for an unforgettable weekend of events, experiences and record-breaking moments.
The timeless allure of Marilyn will come to life throughout Palm Springs through immersive activations, classic film screenings and a historic Guinness World Record™ attempt for Palm Springs’ famed 24-foot-tall Marilyn Monroe sculpture known as “Forever Marilyn.”
Palm Springs is the ideal location for the party. In 1949, Marilyn was ‘discovered’ in Palm Springs at Charlie Farrell’s Raquet Club by talent agent Johnny Hyde of William Morris. In the 1950s, she was a regular visitor to Palm Springs with her husband, baseball star Joe DiMaggio.
A record-breaking Marilyn moment
At the heart of the excitement is an ambitious and stunning spectacle. On Saturday, May 30, hundreds of participants dressed as Marilyn will gather in downtown Palm Springs in an official attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people dressed as the iconic star.
Organizers aim to surpass the current record of 254 participants by bringing together more than 500 “Marilyns” in a sea of white halter dresses, platinum blonde curls and signature glamour. The gathering will culminate in a synchronized martini – or mocktini – toast under the desert sky.
Lights, camera, Marilyn: a centennial film celebration
Film buffs can experience Marilyn’s cinematic legacy on the big screen during Marilyn 100: A Centennial Film Celebration at the historic Plaza Theater.
The four-film series features some of Monroe’s most beloved performances, each paired with a festive pre-show cocktail hour in the Plaza lobby:
Friday, May 29, 7:00 PM – The Seven Year Itch
Saturday, May 30, 7:30 PM – Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (opening performance by the Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus)
Sunday, May 31, 2 p.m. – Some Like It Hot (opening performance by the Modern Men Chorus)
Monday June 1, 7pm – The Misfits (Grand Finale on Marilyn’s 100th Birthday)
Tickets: PalmSpringsPlazaTheater.com.
Marilyn 100 Martini Festival: midcentury glamor + modern mixology
This one-night-only fundraiser combines high-end tastings with a tribute to Monroe’s special bond with Palm Springs. Marilyn @ The Kimpton: The Marilyn 100 Martini Festival will be held on the evening of May 30 – in the Kimpton Rowan curated breezeway.
Participants will wander through an open-air gallery of specialty spirits suppliers, where they will engage with experts from leading brands. The evening is also characterized by an energetic atmosphere, made possible by DJ MODgirl, surrounded by iconic sculptures.
Tickets: PSpride.org/marilyn100
The Marilyn 100 Boutique: Glamor Headquarters
The Marilyn 100 Boutique will serve as the ultimate glamor destination all weekend long. Located near the iconic Forever Marilyn statue, the pop-up space will act as both a registration center and an immersive styling headquarters.
For a complete list of Marilyn-themed events in Palm Springs from May 28 to June 1, visit PSpride.org/marilyn100.
