As the holiday season approaches, it's time to plan a memorable Christmas getaway that combines the magic of the festive season with stunning surroundings. Look no further than Palm Springs – a desert oasis in Southern California with a unique blend of sunshine, relaxation, and festive cheer.  Keep returning to this page as we update you on new events that have been announced.

Palm Springs Holiday Market at VillageFest

Begins Nov. 28

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. Stroll down Palm Canyon, adorned with twinkling lights and festive decorations, as you explore a diverse selection of unique and handcrafted gifts. From one-of-a-kind artworks to artisanal foods, you'll find something for everyone on your list. With live music, delicious treats, and a joyful atmosphere, "Jingle All the Way" at VillageFest is the ultimate destination for spreading holiday cheer and finding that perfect present. Enjoy cookies with Mrs. Clause. You may even see Santa!

Open every Thursday in December, 6 - 10 pm.

VillageFest

Thursday, Dec. 5 - Cookies with Mrs. Santa.

Colorful event flyer featuring an illustration of Mrs. Santa holding cookies, with text "Cookies With Mrs. Santa, Villagefest – Thursday, December 5, 6:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M." and "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year." Includes a QR code, event details, and contact information for City of Palm Springs Special Events.

Thursday, Dec. 18 - Cookies with Santa

Tinsel Times Carolers

Sundays & Wednesdays

Tinsel Times Logo

Performances to be announced.

Tinsel Times

Palm Springs Holidays Events & Decorations

Nov. 15 & 16 - Thorgy Does Christmas - 7 pm

Famed for her charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent, from RuPaul's Drag Race to concert halls, the queen of classical music brings you Torgy and the Thorchestra show. It will be a holly-jolly holiday variety show with singing, dancing, and live violin.

Palm Springs Cultural Center. 2300 E. Baristo Road. Buy Tickets

Promotional poster for "Thorgy Does Christmas" showing a performer in a red sequined outfit with a Christmas tree in the background, event details for November 15-16th at the Palm Springs Cultural Center.

Wildlights at the Living Desert. 6 - 9 pm

This year, experience several new and reimagined light exhibits, such as the new 30-foot-tall holiday tree and lighted animal-themed displays. But don’t worry, many of your festive favorites are returning, such as the Tunnel of Lights, smores station, holiday carousel, photos with Santa, and much more! In true WildLights tradition, the G-scale model trains, with more than 3,300 feet of track, will be decked out for the holidays.

WildLights photo

Nov. 30, Dance with Miss Lindsay: 2024 Holiday Showcase

Celebrate the holiday season with favorites from the Nutcracker Suite to traditional holiday music and much more.

Annenberg Theater at 6 pm. Tickets

Dec. 1 /15 / 22 / 29 - Judy's Old-Fashioned Christmas! @ the Purple Room

Judy's Old-Fashioned Christmas" is a delightful holiday-themed show at the Purple Room. This unique event features Michael Holmes in his hilarious and glamorous parody of Judy Garland. Set in the style of Garland's 1964 Christmas television variety show, Holmes impersonates Garland and other icons from Hollywood's Golden Age, such as Carol Channing, Bette Davis, and Mae West. The show is filled with comedy, live music, and over-the-top performances, promising an evening of high camp and nonstop laughs.

Dinner begins at 5:00 pm, followed by the show at 7:00 p.m. Tickets include automatic dinner reservations, and guests are encouraged to arrive for dinner at least 90 minutes before the show. Tickets

A person in a festive red outfit expressing excitement beside a large Christmas ornament with holiday decorations in the background.

Dec. 1, Dance with Miss Lindsay: 2024 Holiday Showcase

Celebrate the holiday season with favorites from the Nutcracker Suite to traditional holiday music and much more.

Annenberg Theater at 6 pm. Tickets

Dec. 2 / 9 / 16 / 23, Holiday PJ Movie Nights at Play Lounge Palm Springs - 6:30 pm

Enjoy your favorite holiday movie on their big screen each Monday in December at Play Lounge Palm Springs. They will light the fires, cook up some popcorn, and you can relax. Wear your PJs and get happy hour all night. Dogs are more than welcome.

Dec. 4 - Inaugural Tree Lighting at the Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel - 5 pm

Join Patrick Evens for this inaugural tree-lighting ceremony. There will be carolers, Santa and Mrs. Claus, festive food and drink. Plus, they are unveiling a midcentury modern gingerbread house, which will be displayed in the hotel lobby throughout December.

100 W Tahquitz Canyon Way

Dec 5, Joie De Vivre Cabaret with Chloe Perrier and Mark Kopitzke. 7 pm

World-renowned chanteuse Chloé Perrier had a dream: bringing to life a joyful cabaret with a live band and her special French touch, spreading joy and inviting people to forget their troubles for the duration of the show – a voyage to 1930s Paris at a speakeasy with the most fabulous performers! Carousel presents the newest version of this cabaret, with new master of ceremony and talented singer Mark Kopitzke, whom you've probably already heard with The Secret Agents, Phat Cats Swinger, and his quartet.

Cascade Lounge. 401 E Amado Road. Buy Tickets

Promotional image for "Joie de Vivre Cabaret" featuring a flamboyant woman on the left and a dapper man with a microphone on the right, with the event details and date "Dec 5" overlaid on a stylized vintage curtain background.

Dec. 6 - It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year Tree Lighting & Carols. 4 - 5:30 pm

Frances Stevens Park.  See Event Details

Palm Springs Tree Lighting

Dec. 7, Holidays at the Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel, 3 - 5 pm

Meet Santa and Mrs Claus and enjoy music by the Desert Carolers.

100 W Tahquitz Canyon Way.

Dec. 7, Festival of Lights Parade. 5:45 pm

The Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade is on Palm Canyon Drive between Ramon Road and Tachevah Road. This beloved holiday parade features Macy's-style balloons, marching bands, floats, and much more.

Palm-Canyon-Drive-pre-Festival-of-Lights-Parade

Dec 8, Snapshots with Santa at Palm Springs Downtown Park. Noon - 2 pm.

A colorful event flyer for "Snapshots With Santa" at Downtown Park on Sunday, December 8, from 12 noon to 2:00 p.m., featuring a whimsical drawing of Santa taking a selfie, with holiday-themed graphics and text decoration. There's a contact number, website URL, and QR code for the City of Palm Springs Special Events at the bottom.

Dec. 7, Santa Paws 5K Run/Walk. 8:30 am

This is a one-of-a-kind 5K event where every participant can be Santa Claus. Each participant receives a Santa suit that can be worn during the event and is yours to keep. All participants run, walk, or stroll the 5K (3.1 miles) route or stroll with strollers or their pups. Following the 5K is a 200-meter Elf Dash for children 10 and under. The kids’ event entry is $15 and includes a finisher medal! Register. 332 W Alejo Road. Register here.

Santa Paws 5K

Dec 7, Broadway's Best of the West Presents Hugh Panoro. 7 pm

Hugh Panaro is perhaps best known for having played the coveted role of the Phantom in Broadway's The Phantom of the Opera over 2,500 times, including the 25th Anniversary production. Hugh is one of the few actors to have been cast by Harold Prince as both The Phantom and Raoul in the show's Broadway production. Hugh made his Broadway debut in the original production of Les Misérables as Marius.

Palm Springs Cultural Center. 2300 E Baristo Road.  Buy Tickets

Promotional poster for "Broadway's Best in the West Season 2" starring Hugh Panaro with event details: A Saturday night concert series presented by The Palm Springs Cultural Center on December 7 at 7 PM, featuring an image of Hugh Panaro.

Dec. 9 - Christmas Actually - 7:30 pm

The stars of four seasons of BRAVO’s hit social series “The People’s Couch,” Emerson Collins and Blak McIver Ewing, share their loves and hates of the holidays. From classic holiday songs and medleys to the Christmas hits of today. Barbra, Elvis, and The Carpenters will entertain you with Kacey Musgraves and Kelly Clarkson. There’s a bit of pop, a bit of rock, and something for everyone who loves the music of the holidays.

Revolution Stage Company  611 S Palm Canyon. Buy Tickets

Poster for "Christmas Actually" featuring performers Emerson Collins and Blake McIver, with event details and images of the two in festive attire.

Dec 10 - 12 & 17 - 19. Skippy 'n Bitsy's All-Star Christmas TV Extravaganza. 7 pm

Skippy and Bitsy are taping their 1969 TV Christmas Special in front of a live studio audience, which is you!  One of the most popular and happily married showbiz couples of their era (except when Skippy’s roving eye spots another man), this duo pulls out all the stops to entertain you with song, dance, fabulous guest stars, and the best banter the TV censors will allow. Starring long-time FRUITCAKE FOLLIES alumni Terry Ray and Miss Jane Guy.

Palm Springs Cultural Center. 2300 E Baristo Road. Buy Tickets

Dec 12, The Duck Soup Trio's Charlie Brown Christmas. 7 pm

Step into the holiday spirit with the enchanting sounds of Vince Guaraldi's classic scores from the beloved Peanuts Christmas specials. The Duck Soup Trio invites you to a cozy and nostalgic evening. This seasoned trio will fill the night with timeless melodies and jazzy rhythms that capture the season's magic.

Cascade Lounge. 401 E Amado Road. Buy Tickets

Alt text: Promotional image for "A Charlie Brown Christmas" featuring the characters Snoopy and Charlie Brown standing in a snowy landscape, Snoopy dancing with ice skates on and Charlie Brown holding a small Christmas tree, with snow falling in the background. Text reads "the Duck Soup Trio's Charlie Brown Christmas Dec 12."

Dec 13 & 14 - Winterson with Amanda McBroom @ Purple Room

Amanda performs songs from her new recording, Wintersong. There will be cherished holiday standards, musical classics by Dan Fogelberg, Joanie Mitchell, Ken Hirsh, and writing pals Michel Brourman and Ann Hampton Callaway. Tickets

Woman in a black blazer and red scarf standing with a winter landscape background with the title "Wintersong" and the name "Amanda McBroom" written on the top left.

Dec. 14 & 15, Modern Men Chorus presents Home for the Holidays

Palm Springs Cultural Center. 2300 E Baristo Road.

Modern Men

Dec 14, Tailwaggers Santa Paws and Mrs. Claws Holiday. 11 am - 4 pm

Bring your pet and take your photo with Santa Paws and Mrs. Claws! Find tasty snacks for your naughty or nice pup to enjoy. They will have booths, raffle prizes, gift bags, and adoptions.

Tailwaggers. 1124 E Tahquitz Canyon Way.

Dec. 14, Boozhounds Holiday Paw Parade + Pet Consume Contest. - 8 am - 1 pm

A Holiday Spectacular Pet costume parade will benefit the Palm Springs Animal Shelter. Coffee, donuts, and a pet line-up at Victoria Park will begin at 8 am. The Paw Parade starts at 9 am, followed by treats and eats and Boozehounds at 10 am. The awards ceremony with guest judges is at 11 am.

Tickets

Dec. 14, Holidays at the Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel, 3 - 5 pm

Meet Santa and Mrs Claus and enjoy music by the Desert Carolers.

100 W Tahquitz Canyon Way.

Dec. 14 & 15, CK Nutcracker

CK Dance returns to the beautiful Annenberg Theater for its 28th Anniversary performances of "The Nutcracker." This event is for the whole family and is a great way to celebrate the holiday season with family and friends.

Annenberg Theater at the Palm Springs Art Museum.  Tickets

CK Dance Nutcracker

Dec 18, Jam On The Rocks Productions Presents Scott Wilkie: Joy!

Contemporary jazz pianist Scott Wilkie will gather his favorite musicians to present a special Christmas concert. Scotts arrangements of holiday classics are inspired by the unique energy of his longtime bandmates: Pat Kelley on guitar, bassist Nathan Brown, and drummer Jeff Olson.

Palm Springs Cultural Center. 2300 E Baristo Road. Buy Tickets

Alt text: A person with white hair playing a grand piano with the words "scott wilkie Joy" superimposed in the lower right corner of the image. The setting includes soft lighting and a string of lights in the background, creating a warm ambience.

Dec. 19 - 23, Snowtopia at the Palm Springs Air Museum.

Come to the Palm Springs Air Museum to experience a Winter Wonderland for the entire family! Santa Claus and his friends will arrive at the Air Museum each evening to greet all the good little girls and boys who have come to see him. In addition, there will be a playground of 40 tons of real snow, craft making, hot chocolate, smore’s and more. Snowtopia is open from 6 - 9 pm. Kids 3 and under get in free. Tickets

Promotional poster for "Snowtopia" at Palm Springs Air Museum, featuring Santa in his sleigh, Mrs. Claus, elves, a snowman, and a reindeer, with event details for December 20-23 from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM, inviting to meet Santa and announcing 40 tons of snow. Bottom text thanks sponsors and urges to get tickets today.

Dec. 19 - 22 - Palm Springs Gay Men's Chorus Holiday Spectacular Concert

Enjoy the Fa La La Fabulous Gay Men's Chorus spectacular holiday concert at the Annenberg Theater inside the Palm Springs Art Museum. They are pulling out all the stops to celebrate this year's silver anniversary! The program will include plenty of traditional holiday fare (Sure on the Shining Night, Silent Night, and We are Lights), new arrangements (That Christmas Morning Feeling, Pink Christmas, and A Super Gay Christmas), and some truly unexpected and fabulous surprises! The Desert Winds Freedom Band members will provide instrumental accompaniment, and we welcome local artists to the stage for unforgettable collaborations!

Get Tickets

Gay mens chorus concert poster

Dec 20 & 21 - Broadway Barbara's Holiday Spectacular @ Purple Room

Watch in reverent joy as Barbara performs her versions of classic Christmas tunes! Listen in stunned amazement as she shares unbelievable Broadway gossip! Gaze in slack-jawed wonder as she unleashed her Hanukkah medley. Dinner reservations are at 6 pm, with showtime at 8 pm. Tickets

A woman in a red top and black leggings holding a Christmas wreath behind her back against a white background

Dec. 21, Holidays at the Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel, 4 - 6 pm

Meet Santa and Mrs Claus and enjoy music by the Desert Carolers.

100 W Tahquitz Canyon Way.

Dec 26, A Klezmer Hanukkah Barry Sisters Tribute. 7 pm

A spectacular evening of music that will transport you to the heart of Jewish tradition and festive cheer. Led by the acclaimed musician Skip Keller, this unique event features an ensemble of top-tier musicians and guest singers who will bring to life the rich sounds of Hanukkah, klezmer hits, and the beloved songs of the Barry Sisters. Doors open at 6 pm.

Cascade Lounge. 401 E Amado Road.  Buy Tickets

Retro-style promotional image featuring two identical portraits of a smiling woman, with lit candles and a blue starry background. Text overlay reads "A Klezmer Hanukkah Barry Sisters Tribute Dec 26."

Palm Springs Holidays at the Aerial Tramway

Tram Christmas Tree Lighting - Date TBD

Tram Christmas Tree

Santa Visits the Mountain Station. Santa’s visit to Pines Café is included in general tram fare admission. Tram tickets are $30.95 for adults, $28.95 for seniors, and $18.95 for children (ages 3-10). Children can share their Christmas lists with Santa, pose for photos, and receive a free candy cane.

Santa at Tram

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will operate on a special holiday schedule from December 23 to January 7. The first tram up each day is at 8 a.m., and the last tram up is at 8 p.m. The last tram down is at 9:30 p.m.

Dec. 21, Breakfast with Santa. The City of Palm Springs Parks and Recreation Department celebrates breakfast with Santa. It begins at 8 am and includes pancakes, games, crafts, and a photo with Santa. It takes place at the Palm Springs Pavilion at 401 S. Pavilion Way and runs until 11 am.

Dec. 31, Art in the Park in the Dark. - 6 - 10 pm

Join the Desert Flaggers as they present Art in the Park in the Dark for a special New Year's show.  They will use black lights to light up the stage for special performances. All are welcome, and it is a free event.

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