Palm Springs lights up with festive cheer: Your ultimate guide to holiday events
From dazzling light displays to cozy movie nights and unique shopping markets, Palm Springs is set to sparkle this holiday season with events for everyone.
The long, hot summer is behind us, and the holiday season has officially arrived, bringing a festive glow to Palm Springs. It’s time to pull those ugly holiday sweaters out of storage because The Post is here to guide you through the city’s most exciting seasonal celebrations.
We’ll do our best to highlight the biggest and brightest holiday happenings, but we also want to hear from you! If you’re hosting a holiday event and want the community to know about it, feel free to add it to our event calendar. We’ll keep updating this list with new events as we count down to New Year’s Eve.
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ENTERTAINMENT
If you’re in the mood for a show this holiday season, you’re in luck! Palm Springs is brimming with talented performers taking the stage to bring the Christmas spirit to life through music, theater, and festive entertainment.
- Dance with Miss Lindsay: 2024 Holiday Showcase, featuring dancers aged 2.5 to 18 years old, at the Annenberg Theater on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.
- Judy’s Old-Fashioned Christmas! is being performed at The Purple Room on Dec. 1, Dec. 15, Dec. 22, and Dec. 29.
- Joie De Vivre Cabaret, with Chloe Perrier and Mark Kopitzke, is at Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs on Dec. 5.
- Broadway’s Best of the West Presents Hugh Panoro at the Palm Springs Cultural Center on Dec. 7.
- Christmas Actually, a performance by BRAVO’s Emerson Collins and Blake McIver Ewing is being performed at the Revolution Stage Company on Dec. 9.
- Skippy ‘n Bitsy’s All-Star Christmas TV Extravaganza at the Palm Springs Cultural Center on Dec. 10, Dec. 11, and Dec. 17 through 19.
- The Duck Soup Trio’s Charlie Brown Christmas is being performed at Agua Caliente Casino on Dec. 12.
- Wintersong with Amanda McBroom is being performed at The Purple Room on Dec. 13 and Dec. 14.
- Modern Men Chorus presents Home for the Holidays at the Palm Springs Cultural Center on Dec. 14 and Dec. 15.
- The Nutcracker is performed by CK Dance at the Annenberg Theater at the Palm Springs Art Museum on Dec. 14 and Dec. 15.
- Songs from My Holiday Closet is being performed at Revolution Stage Company on Dec. 16.
- Scott Wilkie: Joy!, presented by Jam on the Rocks Productions, is being performed at the Palm Springs Cultural Center on Dec. 18.
- Holiday Jazz Dinner, featuring holiday jazz and dinner, at PS Underground on Dec. 18.
- Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus FA LA LA…FABULOUS! Annual Holiday Spectacular takes place Dec. 19 through Dec. 22 at the Annenberg Theater at the Palm Springs Art Museum.
- Broadway Barbara’s Holiday Spectacular at The Purple Room on Dec. 20 and Dec. 21.
- Deserted Films presents “Holiday Oddities” — holiday-themed film artifacts from decades past — at the Palm Springs Cultural Center on Dec. 22 at 7 p.m.
- A Klezmer Hanukkah Barry Sisters Tribute at the Cascade Lounge at Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs on Dec. 26.
- Sound of the Holidays, featuring a variety of high school choirs, begins Dec. 4 at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway’s Mountain Station.
TOY DRIVES
Now is the time to purchase and donate new, unwrapped toys for children in need this holiday season. While you may spot collection boxes at many locations, two of the primary spots to drop off gifts are Palm Springs Fire Station 2, at 300 El Cielo Rd., and American Legion Post 519 at 400 North Belardo Rd. The fire department distributes toys to several community organizations, including the city’s Boys & Girls Club, while the Legion partners with Toys for Tots.
EVENTS
Wildlights at the Living Desert
Nov. 26-Dec. 30 | 6 p.m. | Living Desert
Experience new and reimagined light exhibits, festive favorites such as the Tunnel of Lights, and the holiday carousel. Find tickets here.
Holiday Market at VillageFest
Every Thursday Nov. 28-Dec. 6 | 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. | Palm Canyon Drive
Get into the holiday spirit at VillageFest with the exciting kickoff event, “Jingle All the Way.” This outdoor gift market is the perfect place to jumpstart your holiday shopping.
Small Business Holiday Market
Nov. 30 | 10 a.m. | 2825 E Tahquitz Canyon Way
Shop local small businesses outside near the fountain and partake in some holiday goodies. Live music, prizes, dog-friendly, and love. What more could you ask for?
Holiday PJ Movie Nights
Play Lounge Palm Springs | Dec. 2, 9, 16, & 23 | 6:30 p.m.
Enjoy a holiday movie on the big screen with popcorn, relaxing in your PJs, and happy hour all night.
Wreath Auction 2024
Dec. 4 | 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. | Eight4Nine Restaurant & Lounge
Friends, ‘Tis the season of giving, and we’re calling on your creativity to support two incredible organizations: The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert and the Palm Springs Animal Shelter.
Kimpton Rowan Tree Lighting
Dec. 4 | 5 p.m. | 100 W Tahquitz Canyon Way
Join this tree-lighting ceremony featuring carolers, Santa, and Mrs. Claus, festive food, and a midcentury modern gingerbread house unveiling.
Mixer and Ugly Sweater Contest
Dec. 5 | 6:30 p.m. | Play Lounge Palm Springs
Meet other local singles and discuss how “amazing” it is to be single during the holidays. Instead of dressing up, dress down and wear your ugly sweaters. Nothing says “available” like a bad holiday outfit. RSVP here.
Tree Lighting & Carols
Dec. 6 | 4 p.m. | Frances Stevens Park
Join city officials and other dignitaries (we hear Santa and Mrs. Claus might be coming!) for the annual tree lighting and some caroling. Prior to the tree lighting, Joy Meredith of Main Street Palm Springs will announce the winners of the annual banner contest, who will have their picture taken with the mayor. Make sure to look for the banners lining city streets all season long.
Holidays at the Kimpton Rowan
Dec. 7 & 14 | 6 p.m. | 100 W Tahquitz Canyon Way
Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus and enjoy music by the Desert Carolers.
Festival of Lights Parade
Dec. 7 | 5:45 p.m. | Palm Canyon Drive
This beloved holiday parade includes balloons, marching bands, floats, and more.
Breakfast with Santa
Dec. 7 & Dec. 14 | 8:30 a.m. | Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Enjoy breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus along with holiday crafts and storybook readings. More info here.
Santa Paws 5K Run/Walk
Dec. 7 | 8:30 a.m. | 332 W Alejo Road
Run or walk this 5K event where participants receive a Santa suit. Register here.
Tree Lighting Ceremony
Dec. 8 | 5:30 p.m. | Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Featuring performances and the lighting of a 45-foot tree by “American Idol” winner Abi Carter. Find more info here.
Snapshots with Santa
Dec. 8 | 12 p.m. | Palm Springs Downtown Park
Take photos with Santa at this whimsical event.
Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus
Dec. 10 | 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. | Palm Springs Library
Families are invited to come dressed in their holiday best and take their own selfies with Santa and Mrs. Claus, all for FREE! In addition to your photo with Santa there will be coloring, crafts, and holiday fun in the Youth Room as you wait for your turn to pose with Santa!
Walk of the Inns
Dec. 12 | Downtown Palm Springs
This annual event invites guests to experience the festive charm of Palm Springs’ boutique hotels through a free, self-guided walking tour. More information is available here.
Santa visit
Dec. 14 | 11 a.m. | Palm Springs Aerial Tramway’s Mountain Station
Children can meet Santa, share Christmas lists, and receive a candy cane during Santa’s visit.
Santa Paws and Mrs. Claws Holiday
Dec. 14 | 11 a.m. | Tailwaggers, 1124 E Tahquitz Canyon Way
Bring your pet for photos with Santa Paws and Mrs. Claws, enjoy treats, raffles, and adoptions.
Paw Parade + Pet Costume Contest
Dec. 14 | 8 a.m. | Victoria Park
Boozehounds presents a pet costume parade benefiting the Palm Springs Animal Shelter, with treats and awards. Register here.
Snowtopia
Dec. 20-Dec. 22 | 6 p.m. | Palm Springs Air Museum
Winter Wonderland event with snow, crafts, Santa, and more. Get tickets here.
Breakfast with Santa
Dec. 21 | 8 a.m. | Palm Springs Pavilion
Celebrate with pancakes, games, crafts, and a photo with Santa.
Free Showing of ‘The Muppets Christmas Carol’
Dec. 22 | 3 p.m. | Cultural Center
Bring your holiday spirit and enjoy a free showing of this timeless retelling of Ebenezer Scrooge’s redemption, brought to life by Kermit, Miss Piggy, and the entire Muppet gang. Hailed as one of the best adaptations of Charles Dickens’ classic, this festive favorite is filled with laughs, music, and Jim Henson Company magic.
Free breakfast
Dec. 25 | 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. | Oscar’s
Oscar’s Palm Springs serves free breakfasts on Christmas morning to individuals experiencing housing insecurity.
Art in the Park in the Dark
Dec. 31 | 6 p.m. | Demuth Park
A New Year’s show with performances illuminated by black lights, hosted by Desert Flaggers. All are welcome, and it is a free event.
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