We look forward to seeing you for the 2026/2027 season
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. Please check this page regularly for updates on new Palm Springs Holidays events.
Visit our Palm Springs Holidays Event Calendar
Tickets on sale now at Plaza Theatre. See below.
Palm Springs Holiday Market at VillageFest
Open every Thursday in December, 6 - 10 pm.
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. Claus. You may even see Santa! Free
Cookie with Mrs. Santa at VillageFest Marketplace
Enjoy cookies, arts & crafts, and picture opportunities in front of Starbucks downtown. Free
Tinsel Times Carolers
Courtesy of Palm Springs Unified School District
Sundays & Wednesdays, 5 - 7 pm.
Various locations downtown and along Palm Canyon Drive
Mrs. Claus has been known to visit Palm Springs over the holidays.
Palm Springs Holidays Events & Decorations
Wildlights at the Living Desert
This year, experience several new and reimagined light exhibits, including a 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, s'mores 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.
Living Desert Zoo and Gardens - 47900 Portola Ave.
Friday, November 27, 7:30 pm - Christmas with the Drifters, The Platters & Cornell Gunter's Coasters
Spend a nostalgic evening saluting 3 of the world's most beloved musical groups who were instrumental in creating the Rock & Roll/Doo Wop sound: Cornell Gunter’s Coasters (Charlie Brown, Yakety Yak, Poison Ivy); The Platters featuring 4 of America’s premier singers performing their greatest hits (Only You, Smoke Gets In Your Eyes, The Great Pretender); and The Drifters, one of Rock & Roll’s founding vocal groups touring the U.S. again under the auspices of their original management team with their 50 year catalog of hits (Under the Boardwalk, Up on the Roof, This Magic Moment, and On Broadway).
The Plaza Theatre - 128 S Palm Canyon Drive | Tickets
Saturday, November 28, 7:30 pm - Maria Bamford
Maria Bamford is revered for her deeply personal and experimental comedy about mental illness. She’s the author of the New York Times bestselling memoir Sure, I’ll Join Your Cult and is the star of four hour-long standup specials (Local Act, Weakness is the Brand, Old Baby and Maria Bamford: the special, special, special!) and the surreal, semi-autobiographical Netflix comedy series Lady Dynamite, about a comedian who suffers a nervous breakdown.
The Plaza Theatre - 128 S Palm Canyon Drive | Buy Tickets
Sunday, November 29, 7:30 pm - Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
April 2026 marks 33 years since Big Bad Voodoo Daddy burst onto the music scene from Ventura, California, helping ignite the swing revival of the 1990s. Known for their high-energy shows and original horn-driven sound, the band has performed over 3,000 concerts and sold more than 2 million albums. Co-founded by Scotty Morris and Kurt Sodergren, the group gained early fame through their residency at L.A.’s Derby nightclub and a breakout appearance in the 1996 film Swingers. Their music has since appeared in countless movies and TV shows, and they’ve performed everywhere from The Tonight Show to the Super Bowl Halftime Show. With their original lineup still intact, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy continues to bring the spirit of swing to new generations in 2025.
The Plaza Theatre: 128 S Palm Canyon Drive | Buy Tickets
Wednesday, December 2, 7:30 pm - Meow Meow's Feline Festive
Enter the glorious world of International Chanteuse and Comedienne Extraordinaire Meow Meow these holidaze with her unique brand of holiday hilarity. Let the festive feline wrap you in musical wonder, laughter, and loving audience encounters! A rollicking tonic for trying times, “Feline Festive” will fill you with childhood wonder again and rekindle the true spirit of the holidays. Featuring a band of superb musicians, and music ranging from jazzy vintage showbiz to wicked, witty Weimar 1920’s toons, French chansons, and original and contemporary classics and surprises!
The Plaza Theatre: 128 S Palm Canyon Drive | Buy Tickets
Thursday, December 3, 8 pm - a John Waters Christmas
Welp! It’s Christmas! To hell with Santa, Rudolph, Mrs. Claus – and yes to even Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, too! All Palm Springs needs for the holidays is the outrageous and incomparable John Waters! Waters returns to the Plaza Theatre this season with his annual alternative holiday show. Known for his provocative style and sharp cultural commentary, Waters will deliver an all-new live comedy performance. Snag your tickets early, last year’s show sold out quicker than you can scream “Merry Whatever!”
The Plaza Theatre: 128 S Palm Canyon Drive | Buy Tickets
It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year Tree Lighting & Carols
Frances Stevens Park (500 N. Palm Canyon Drive). Join Main Street Palm Springs along with the Mayor and City Council for the presentation of the annual Holiday Banner Awards to local student artists from Palm Springs Unified School District. Then the official City of Palm Springs Holiday Tree Lighting begins at 5:15 pm sharp. The event features holiday caroling and crafts for children, a visit from Santa Claus, and complimentary cookies and hot cocoa. Free
Saturday, December 5, 5:45 pm: Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade
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. Free
Where: Palm Canyon Drive
Saturday, December 5
8:30 to 10:30 am: Breakfast with Santa returns to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Join Mr. and Mrs. Claus for breakfast, holiday crafts, and storybook readings. Breakfast with Santa tickets are $55 for adults and seniors and $42 for children (ages 3-10). Tram fare is included. Enjoy French toast, scrambled eggs, Belgian waffles, fresh fruit, bacon, pork sausage, and assorted pastries. Advanced tickets are required and can be made by calling (760) 325-1449. Availability is limited.
11 am - 3 pm
Santa will be stopping by the Mountain Station’s Pines Café. Children can share their Christmas lists with Santa himself, pose for photos, and receive a free candy cane. Santa’s visit is included in the general tram fare admission. Tram tickets are $34.95 for adults, $31.95 for seniors, and $18.95 for children (ages 3 - 10).
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway - 1 Tramway Road
Sunday, Dec 6, 5:30 pm: Palm Springs Aerial Tramway's Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
Lighting the Tram’s iconic 45-foot tree, covered in over 4,000 lights. There will be performances by the Palm Springs High School choir and string quartet.
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway - 1 Tramway Road
Sunday, December 6, Noon - 2 pm: Snapshots with Santa
Palm Springs Downtown Park. Free
Wednesday, December 9, 4 - 5:30 pm - Desert Winds Concert Band
Join the Desert Winds Concert Band in front of the downtown Starbucks on Tahquitz for a special holiday concert. Free.
Thursday, December 10, 4 pm, Walk of the Inns
Free, self-guided walking tour to explore the local hotel holiday scene. Pick up a map and flashlight at the Palm Springs Art Museum.
Explore the unique charm and hospitality of Palm Springs at the annual Walk of the Inns. This free, self-guided walking tour invites locals and visitors to experience the vibrant holiday scene. This annual tradition offers a delightful way to discover the eclectic hotel properties nestled between Ramon Road and Tahquitz Canyon Way.
December 15 & 16, 7:30 pm, Jane Lynch's A Swingin' Little Christmas
Classic holiday tunes come to life as Jane Lynch, Kate Flannery, Tim Davis, and the Tony Guerrero Quintet take the stage in "A Swingin' Little Christmas.” This hilarious and heartwarming holiday extravaganza promises to be a delightful blend of comedy and music, ensuring a ‘swingin’ good time. The group has brought their joyful banter to audiences across the country, with their holiday album “A Swingin’ Little Christmas” hitting Billboard’s Top 10 Adult Contemporary chart. Hollywood Digest calls it “captivating,” the comedy “spectacular,” and the vibe “absolutely precious.”
The Plaza Theatre - 128 S Palm Canyon Drive, Tickets for 15th | Tickets for 16th
Friday, Dec. 18 - 21: 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 featuring 60 tons of real snow, craft-making activities, hot chocolate, s'mores, pizza, and more. Frosty the Snowman, Elves, and Mrs. Claus will be on hand for photos galore. Snowtopia is open from 6 - 9 pm. Children 5 and under are admitted free of charge.
Palm Springs Air Museum - 745 N Gene Autry Trail
Saturday, December 19, 8 - 11 am: Breakfast with Santa & Mrs. Claus
Join Santa's little helpers for arts and crafts, gingerbread houses, and many fun photo opportunities! Enjoy a delicious breakfast with your friends and family, along with Santa and Mrs. Santa. Free
Leisure Center & Pavilion - 401 S Pavilion Way
Saturday, December 19, 8:30 am: Santa Paws 5K Run/Walk
This is a one-of-a-kind 5K event where every participant can be Santa Claus. Each participant receives a Santa suit to wear during the event, which they keep. All participants run, walk, or stroll the 5K (3.1-mile) route, or stroll with strollers or their pets. 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.
Where: 332 W Alejo Road | Register (not open yet)
Thursday, December 24, 10 am & 2 pm - White Christmas Singalong
Join the dazzling song-and-dance duo of Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye as they team up with the sparkling sister act of Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen for a heartwarming Christmas spectacular in snowy Vermont.
The Plaza Theatre - 128 S Palm Canyon Drive | Buy Tickets
Saturday, December 26, 7:30 pm - The Mariachi Divas: A Holiday Celebration
For over 26 years, the 9-time Grammy-nominated and 2-time Grammy-winning Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea have been a leading light in the mariachi world.
The Plaza Theatre - 128 S Palm Canyon Drive | Buy Tickets