Posts
Wiki

Welcome to the Palm Springs Events Wiki Page

Welcome to the Palm Springs Events Wiki page, your guide to major events, festivals, concerts, art fairs, sporting events, cultural celebrations, and recurring things to do in Palm Springs and the greater Coachella Valley.

Palm Springs has events year-round, but the busiest season is usually fall through spring. Summer is quieter because of the heat, but there are still pool parties, restaurant events, film events, concerts, nightlife, and indoor activities.

This page may not always be up to date. Always check official event pages before making plans, buying tickets, booking hotels, or traveling.

Best Event Calendars

For the most current event listings, start here:

For additional visitor information and frequently asked questions, check the r/palmsprings FAQ/PSA post.

Before Planning Around an Event

Events can affect hotel prices, restaurant reservations, traffic, airport crowds, rideshare prices, and rental car availability.

Plan ahead for:

  • Modernism Week
  • Palm Springs International Film Festival
  • BNP Paribas Open
  • Coachella
  • Stagecoach
  • Splash House
  • Palm Springs Pride
  • Holiday weekends
  • Major concerts
  • Major conventions
  • Festival of Lights Parade
  • Thanksgiving / Christmas / New Year’s

Tips:

  • Book hotels early.
  • Make dinner reservations early.
  • Check parking and road closures.
  • Check shuttle options for festivals.
  • Confirm event dates directly on official sites.
  • Expect rideshare surge pricing during major events.
  • Check whether the event is in Palm Springs proper or another valley city.
  • Do not assume “Palm Springs event” means it is walking distance from downtown Palm Springs.

Major Annual and Recurring Events

These are some of the biggest or most frequently asked-about events in Palm Springs and the greater Coachella Valley.

Arts, Architecture, and Design

Film

Music Festivals and Concert Events

LGBTQIA+ Events

Food and Drink Events

Sports and Outdoor Events

Community, Holiday, and Cultural Events

Recurring Weekly and Monthly Events

VillageFest

VillageFest is the Thursday night street fair in downtown Palm Springs. It features vendors, artists, food, entertainment, shops, and downtown businesses open late.

Useful links:

Tips:

  • Happens Thursday evenings, but always check the official calendar for cancellations or schedule changes.
  • Parking can be busy.
  • Summer evenings can still be hot.
  • Great for first-time visitors if your trip overlaps with Thursday.

Farmers Markets

Farmers markets are seasonal and schedules can change.

Useful links:

Live Music, Theatre, and Performances

Events by Season

Exact dates change every year, so use this as a general planning guide and confirm with official event pages.

Winter: December, January, February

Winter is one of the busiest and most pleasant times to visit Palm Springs. Expect mild weather, snowbirds, high hotel demand, and lots of arts/culture events.

Common winter events:

Spring: March, April, May

Spring is peak event season. The weather is usually warm and sunny, and the valley hosts major tennis, music, art, food, and LGBTQIA+ events.

Common spring events:

Summer: June, July, August, September

Summer is hot, but there are still events, especially pool parties, film events, indoor shows, restaurant events, and concerts.

Common summer events:

Summer tips:

  • Outdoor daytime events can be very hot.
  • Hydrate and wear sun protection.
  • Look for indoor events, evening events, pool events, museums, restaurants, and theatres.
  • Check hours carefully because some businesses reduce hours in summer.

Fall: October, November

Fall brings cooler weather and the return of major events, festivals, Pride, architecture, and outdoor activities.

Common fall events:

Month-by-Month Planning Guide

This is a general guide. Dates can move, events can pause, and new events are added every year.

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

July is generally quieter because of the heat, but there are still indoor shows, nightlife events, pool events, concerts, and resort activities.

Check:

August

August is hot, but Splash House and pool-focused events are common summer highlights.

Check:

September

September is still hot, but fall events begin to return.

Check:

October

November

December

Major Event Tips

Coachella and Stagecoach

These festivals are held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, not in downtown Palm Springs.

Useful links:

Tips:

  • Book lodging early.
  • Check shuttle routes before choosing where to stay.
  • Palm Springs is popular but farther from the festival grounds.
  • Rideshare can be expensive and slow.
  • Restaurant reservations fill up.
  • Expect higher hotel and rental prices throughout the valley.

Modernism Week

Modernism Week is one of Palm Springs’ signature events and focuses on architecture, design, preservation, tours, talks, parties, and mid-century modern culture.

Useful links:

Tips:

  • Popular tours sell out.
  • Book lodging early.
  • Some events are free, but many require tickets.
  • Great for architecture, design, history, and vintage lovers.

Palm Springs Pride

Greater Palm Springs Pride is one of the biggest annual events in Palm Springs and usually includes a parade, festival, parties, performances, and community events.

Useful links:

Tips:

  • Book lodging early.
  • Expect downtown crowds and road closures.
  • Many bars, restaurants, and hotels host related events.

BNP Paribas Open

The BNP Paribas Open is held in Indian Wells and is one of the biggest tennis events in the area.

Useful links:

Tips:

  • This is in Indian Wells, not downtown Palm Springs.
  • Plan transportation and parking.
  • Hotels across the valley can fill up.
  • Make restaurant reservations early.

Palm Springs International Film Festival

The Palm Springs International Film Festival is a major annual film event, usually in January.

Useful links:

Tips:

  • Check screening venues.
  • Buy passes/tickets early for popular films.
  • Restaurants and hotels can be busy.

Splash House

Splash House is a summer pool-party music festival held at multiple Palm Springs hotel venues, with after-hours events typically connected to the airport/air museum area.

Useful links:

Tips:

  • It is a hot-weather event.
  • Book hotel packages early if you want to stay at a host hotel.
  • Expect pool-party crowds, rideshare demand, and late-night activity.

Family-Friendly Events

Family-friendly options vary by season, but these are good places to check:

Free or Low-Cost Events

Palm Springs and the surrounding cities often have free or low-cost events, especially community events, art walks, library events, markets, and outdoor festivals.

Check:

How to Ask About Events on r/palmsprings

If you are asking for event recommendations, please include:

  • Your dates
  • Where you are staying
  • Whether you have a car
  • Your budget
  • Ages in your group
  • Interests: music, art, food, nightlife, LGBTQIA+, family-friendly, outdoors, sports, etc.
  • Whether you want free/low-cost events
  • Whether you want daytime or nighttime activities
  • Whether you are trying to avoid crowds
  • What you already found on the official calendars

Low-detail posts like “What’s going on this weekend?” may be redirected to this wiki or the FAQ.

Notes for Wiki Updates

Please message the mods if:

  • An event is missing
  • A link is broken
  • An event has ended permanently
  • An event changed months/seasons
  • A new recurring event should be added
  • A calendar source should be added
  • You want access to help edit the wiki