Modernism Week, February 11-21, 2027
Every February, Palm Springs draws architecture lovers, design enthusiasts, vintage collectors, and anyone drawn to midcentury modern glamour. Palm Springs Modernism Week returns February 11–21, 2027, with 11 days of architectural home tours, neighborhood walks, design exhibitions, presentations, vintage shopping, and special events celebrating the art, architecture, and culture that make the desert unique.
Modernism Week offers a chance to experience Palm Springs' architectural treasures, discover the people who shaped the city's design legacy, and explore the distinctive desert lifestyle that continues to inspire designers worldwide.
Modernism Week 2027 at a glance
- Dates: February 11–21, 2027
- Tickets on sale now
- What's included: More than 400 tours, programs and events
- Where: Palm Springs and communities throughout the Coachella Valley
- Official event schedule: Modernism Week 2027
What Is Modernism Week?
Modernism Week is an annual celebration of midcentury modern architecture, art, interior design, landscape design, and vintage culture in the Palm Springs area. The festival brings together architects, historians, designers, preservationists, and visitors to explore the movement that helped establish the Coachella Valley as an internationally recognized center of modernist design.
The February festival features more than 400 activities, ranging from intimate tours of architecturally significant homes to large-scale design shows, educational presentations, vintage car displays, and themed parties. Events take place in Palm Springs and neighboring desert communities, offering opportunities to discover both celebrated landmarks and lesser-known architectural gems.
Modernism Week also supports architectural preservation and education. A portion of ticket proceeds benefits the nonprofit organization and local preservation, neighborhood, and community groups.
Modernism Week 2027: Quick-Reference Schedule
Planning your Modernism Week itinerary? Use this day-by-day guide to find selected events, presentations, and special experiences. Architectural home tours, walking tours, and bus tours take place throughout the festival, with some offering multiple departure times.
Event schedules, locations, and ticket availability can vary. Visit Modernism Week for complete event details and tickets.
Thursday, February 11
- 2 p.m. — Newcomers Reception at CAMP
- 4 p.m. — Modernism Week 2027 Kick-Off Celebration with Trina Turk
- 7 p.m. — Opening Night Party: Beehives & Butterflies
- 8:30 a.m. — Charles Phoenix Marvelous Morning Double Decker Bus Tour
Friday, February 12
- 11 a.m. — Layered Living: Interiors with Story and Style
- 1 p.m. — Charles and Ray Eames: Built, Unbuilt and Unseen Houses
- 2 p.m. — Star Dedication for Liliane & Edgar Kaufmann
- 4 p.m. — Trini Lopez Museum Cocktail Party
- 4 p.m. — Sandpiper: A Midcentury Oasis Home Tour & Cocktail Party
- 6 p.m. — Preview Party for Palm Springs Modernism Show
Saturday, February 13
- 9 a.m. — Being There: A Design Studio’s Search for Place, Wellbeing and Mindfulness in a Virtual World
- 11 a.m. — Beyond Frank Lloyd Wright: The Trailblazing Life and Work of Marion Mahony Griffin
- 3:30 p.m. — Charles Phoenix: Las Vegasland
- 5 p.m. — The Sunset Issue: Golden Hour at The Shag House
- 6 p.m. — Modernism by Moonlight
Sunday, February 14
- 9 a.m. — Discovering Our Modern Artists
- 11 a.m. — Harry Bertoia
- 11 a.m. — The Caftan Drag Brunch
- 1 p.m. — Celebrate National Caftan Day
- 3 p.m. — A. Lawrence Kocher
- 6 p.m. — Sunday Night at the Sinatra Estate
- 7 p.m. — The Look of Love
Monday, February 15
- 9 a.m. — Black Mountain College
- 11 a.m. — Art Smith’s Modernist Jewelry
- 1 p.m. — Arthur Elrod and William Raiser
- 3 p.m. — Jed + Andy + Me: A Personal Journey Through Art, Design, Architecture and Other Attractions
- 6 p.m. — Twin Palms Twilight Tour & 70th Anniversary
Tuesday, February 16
- 9 a.m. — Citizen Shelter
- 10 a.m. — Modern Living in Color
- 11 a.m. — Architect Welton Becket
- 11:30 a.m. — The Alexanders and William Krisel
- 1 p.m. — Las Vegas Modern
- 2:30 p.m. — Life of Buddy Greco
- 4 p.m. — The Palm Springs that Never Was
- 7 p.m. — Overture at PS Underground
Wednesday, February 17
- 9 a.m. — Legacies of William Cody
- 11 a.m. — CA Modern in San Diego
- 1 p.m. — Women Who Built Palm Springs
- 3 p.m. — Modernist Beach Houses and Climate Change
- 5 p.m. — Stardust: A Story of Love and Architecture
- 5:30 p.m. — Sunset Supperclub
Thursday, February 18
- 8:30 a.m. — The Invisible Frey
- 9 a.m. — Desert Utopia: Oases of the Future in the Landscape of the Past
- 11 a.m. — MORE Quirks, Kitsch & Curiosities: 100 Years of Palm Springs Eccentricity
- 3:30 p.m. — Letters: Frank Lloyd Wright and the Kaufmanns
- 5:30 p.m. — Trivia Night at the Lautner Compound
- 6 p.m. — An Evening with Herbert Burns
Friday, February 19
- 9:30 a.m. — Hands-on Workshop: Making an Eames Chair
- 12:30 p.m. — Poolside Gossip, More Than a Photograph
- 2 p.m. — Meet & Greet with Nelda Linsk
- 3 p.m. — Gay Fad Glassware Story
- 5 p.m. — Retro Martini Party at the Palm Springs Air Museum
- 5:30 p.m. — Desert Regency
- 6 p.m. — Ocotillo Lodge 70th Anniversary Gala
Saturday, February 20
- 11 a.m. — Modernism Art District Tour
- 1:30 p.m. — Charles Phoenix: Midcentury Mobile Home
- 4 p.m. — Singing 60s on the Sunset Strip
- 6 p.m. — Saturday Night at the Sinatra Estate
Sunday, February 21
- 10 a.m. — Vintage Trailer Show
- 11 a.m. — Forever Elvis brunch at PS Underground
- Noon — Midcentury Mixology at Mr. Lyons
Tours and Experiences Throughout the Festival
In addition to the featured events above, visitors can explore a wide range of architectural experiences, including:
- Architectural bus tours: Explore midcentury landmarks, celebrity homes, and Palm Springs neighborhoods.
- Walking tours: Discover architectural styles, historic districts, boutique hotels, and the stories behind Palm Springs.
- Home tours: Visit notable modernist residences, architect-designed homes, and distinctive neighborhoods.
- Presentations and films: Learn about architecture, design, preservation, art, and the people who shaped modernism.
- Special experiences and social events: Discover design exhibitions, vintage shopping, workshops, parties and other festival activities.
See the full schedule: Visit ModernismWeek.com for complete listings, event descriptions, additional dates and times, locations, ticket prices and availability.
Architectural Bus Tours: Explore Palm Springs' Modernist Landmarks
For an introduction to Palm Springs architecture without planning your own route, a guided bus tour is a great place to start.
Modernism Week's popular bus tours explore architecturally significant neighborhoods and notable buildings and homes tied to the city's modernist heritage. Knowledgeable guides provide context about the architects, developers, and residents who shaped the community.
Featured Bus Tours for 2027
Premier Double Decker Architectural Bus Tour
Modernism Week's signature architectural tour offers a 2.5-hour introduction to Palm Springs' most significant architectural landmarks. Guests travel aboard an open-air double-decker bus and see a mix of civic buildings, commercial landmarks, and residences in notable neighborhoods. Highlights include the Kaufmann Desert House, the House of Tomorrow, the Steel Development Houses, Frank Sinatra's Twin Palms estate, and Albert Frey's hillside Frey House II. It's an excellent choice for first-time visitors looking for a broad overview of Desert Modernism.
See Palm Springs' modernist architecture in a different light on this evening tour. As the sun sets and the city lights come on, the tour offers a special perspective on some of the area's best-known midcentury landmarks. It's a memorable option for architecture enthusiasts who want to experience the city's distinctive buildings and streetscapes after dark.
Charles Phoenix Marvelous Morning Double Decker Bus Tour
Join retro pop-culture humorist and author Charles Phoenix for a lively architectural adventure aboard an open-air double-decker bus. Blending midcentury design with entertaining stories and vintage Americana, Phoenix brings Palm Springs' architectural treasures and cultural history to life with his signature humor and enthusiasm.
Sinatra's Rat Pack Homes & Hangouts Bus Tour
Travel through Palm Springs' Rat Pack era on a double-decker bus tour featuring the homes and favorite hangouts associated with Frank Sinatra and his celebrated circle of entertainers. Along the way, discover the places connected to the music, personalities, and glamorous desert lifestyle that made Palm Springs a legendary Hollywood retreat.
Homes That Define Palm Springs Bus Tour
Explore some of Palm Springs' best-known residential neighborhoods on this 90-minute tour showcasing the city's architectural diversity. From prewar Spanish Colonial Revival homes to the clean lines and geometric forms of midcentury modern residences, the tour highlights the styles that shaped the city's distinctive residential character.
Bella's Palm Springs: Modernism, Movie Stars & Mischief Double-Decker Bus Tour
See Palm Springs through a playful, celebrity-focused lens with Bella da Ball, the city's beloved drag emcee. This special sunset tour visits celebrity haunts, clubs, and homes while celebrating the colorful personalities and entertainment history that helped define Palm Springs. Expect a spirited mix of local lore, Hollywood glamour, and Bella's signature personality.
Sinatra's Palm Springs: Ride with the Rat Pack Bus Tour
Climb aboard an open-top double-decker for a Rat Pack-inspired ride through Palm Springs. With a playful nod to Frank Sinatra and his fellow entertainers, this tour explores the city's connections to the legendary performers who helped establish its reputation as a glamorous desert escape.
Bus tours are especially useful for first-time visitors who want to see multiple neighborhoods in a single outing.
Plan Your Bus Tour
Check each listing for tour duration, departure time, ticket price, age restrictions, and accessibility information. Tours may have different routes and requirements, and some offer only exterior views. Arrive early to check in, wear sun protection, and bring water for open-air excursions.
Check-in is at Hyatt Palm Springs.
Explore the 2027 bus tour schedule to find a tour that matches your interests.
🚶Walking Tours: Discover Palm Springs on Foot
Walking tours offer an up-close look at the neighborhoods, historic hotels, and architectural landmarks that helped establish Palm Springs as a center of modernist design. Led by knowledgeable guides, these experiences explore the city's architectural evolution, Hollywood connections, and distinctive desert lifestyle, one neighborhood at a time.
Modernism Week 2027 features tours throughout Palm Springs, from iconic midcentury residential districts to downtown's historic buildings and boutique hotels.
Discover how Desert Modernism transformed Palm Springs' commercial landscape. This tour explores modernist buildings in the city's fashion and financial district, highlighting the architectural details and design ideas that helped shape the downtown streetscape.
Twin Palms: An Insider's Perspective of the Desert's First Modernist Neighborhood
Explore Twin Palms, recognized as the region's first completed modernist neighborhood. A Twin Palms resident, local author, and founder of the neighborhood organization leads this special tour, offering an insider's perspective on the homes, history, and community that make the area significant.
Celebrity Haven: Unique Boutique Resorts
Discover the intimate inns and boutique resorts that have long offered celebrities a secluded desert retreat. Many were designed and built after World War II, as modern design transformed American architecture and hospitality. Learn how these distinctive properties helped shape Palm Springs' reputation as a glamorous getaway.
Frank Sinatra's Neighborhood: The Hollywood Elite
Explore a neighborhood where Spanish Colonial Revival estates stand alongside sleek midcentury modern residences. The tour includes Frank Sinatra's striking modernist home, designed by architect E. Stewart Williams, and explores the area's architecture and the Hollywood personalities it's known for.
Heart of the City: Pioneers to Playground of the Stars
Stroll through the heart of Palm Springs and discover how a small desert community became an internationally recognized retreat. Along the Walk of Stars, learn about the Hollywood celebrities and other influential figures who helped establish the city's enduring reputation.
Hidden Paradise of Showbiz Legends
Discover The Mesa, a secluded Palm Springs neighborhood known for its eclectic architecture and distinctive hillside setting. Among its notable architectural curiosities is the Santorini House, one of the area's most unusual residences. This tour offers a different perspective on the city's architectural diversity beyond its familiar midcentury landmarks.
Inns, Architecture and Glamour
Step into Palm Springs' vintage boutique hotels, where historic architecture, privacy, and desert glamour meet. Explore charming inns that have attracted the rich and famous, and hear stories about their history, design, and place in the city's hospitality tradition.
Modernist Treasures: Lush Living on the Links
Explore a collection of luxurious modernist residences and impressive landscapes lining the historic Indian Canyons Golf Resort. On the ancestral land of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, this area shows how modern architecture, lush landscaping, and desert living come together.
Rat Pack Playground: Modernist Homes
Visit Vista Las Palmas, the fashionable midcentury neighborhood once nicknamed the “Beverly Hills of Palm Springs.” The tour highlights the neighborhood's distinctive homes, including the celebrated Alexander houses designed by George and Robert Alexander, and explores Palm Springs' glamorous postwar architecture.
Shangri-La of the Stars: Midcentury Showcase
Stroll through a beautifully preserved midcentury neighborhood filled with elegant modernist homes designed by some of the desert's most respected architects. This tour offers a closer look at the architectural details, residential planning, and design principles that continue to influence homes today.
Stars of the Movie Colony: Romantic Palm Springs
Explore the Movie Colony, a neighborhood closely associated with Palm Springs' Hollywood heyday. Its architectural character blends romantic Spanish Colonial Revival estates with elegant modernist residences, reflecting the changing tastes of the celebrities and prominent residents who made the desert their retreat.
Twin Palms Estates Exteriors Walking Tour: A New Design Era
Admire the distinctive architecture of Twin Palms Estates, the first Palm Springs neighborhood developed by the Alexander Construction Company. The homes' signature butterfly rooflines, geometric forms, and indoor-outdoor connections illustrate the innovative residential design that helped define the city's midcentury identity.
Explore the Uptown Design District, where Palm Springs' architectural heritage meets its contemporary design scene. Learn about the neighborhood's early appeal to Hollywood stars and business magnates, and discover the boutiques, design shops, and distinctive buildings that continue to make this part of town a destination for modern style.
Downtown Palm Springs Village Green Historic Tour
Discover the historic heart of Palm Springs on a tour of Village Green, a key focal point in the city's early development. Visit four distinctive historic buildings now associated with the Palm Springs Historical Society and learn about the people, places, and events that shaped the community.
Little Beverly Hills Walking Tour
Explore a neighborhood of Alexander Company homes designed by architect William Krisel. This guided walk highlights the design features, residential planning, and local stories behind these iconic midcentury homes, offering insight into the development of Palm Springs' postwar neighborhoods.
Walking Tour of Tamarisk's Iconic Architecture by Preservation Mirage
Venture into Tamarisk, a Rancho Mirage neighborhood with an impressive collection of midcentury architecture and fascinating local history. Led by Preservation Mirage, this two-hour tour explores the area's architectural character and the stories behind its distinctive desert residences.
Visit Old Las Palmas, where Spanish Colonial Revival estates and dramatic midcentury modern homes reflect Palm Springs' glamorous past. Docents share stories about the celebrities who lived in the neighborhood and the architecture that helped make the area one of the city's most celebrated residential districts.
Herbert Burns Hotels Walking Tour
Discover the work of hotel developer Herbert Burns on a guided tour of three beautifully preserved properties in Palm Springs' Historic Tennis Club neighborhood: The Hideaway, Orbit In and Desert Hills. Learn how these intimate accommodations contributed to the city's distinctive boutique-hotel culture and enduring appeal as a desert escape.
Behind the Construction Fence: Preserving a Desert Landmark
Get a rare look at the Palm Springs Public Library's restoration and evolution. This special experience explores efforts to preserve architect William F. Cody's modernist vision and maintain an important part of Palm Springs' architectural heritage for future generations.
Plan Your Walking Tour
Modernism Week's walking tours take place on selected dates throughout February 11–21, 2027. Some tours are offered daily, while others have only a few scheduled departures. Tickets go on sale November 1, 2026, at noon Pacific time.
Because these tours explore different neighborhoods and properties, check the meeting location, duration, ticket price, and availability before making plans. For walking tours, bring comfortable shoes, sun protection, and water.
Review the official walking tour schedule for available neighborhoods and tour times.
Architectural Home Tours: Step Inside Palm Springs' Modernist Masterpieces
One of the most memorable ways to experience Modernism Week is to step inside the homes that define Palm Springs architecture. From iconic midcentury residences designed by celebrated architects to thoughtfully restored homes and entire modernist neighborhoods, these tours offer rare access to properties that are not ordinarily open to the public.
The February 11–21, 2027, festival features individual home tours, self-guided neighborhood experiences, and signature tours showcasing multiple residences. Explore the architectural details, innovative floor plans, distinctive interiors, and indoor-outdoor living that have made desert modernism famous.
Featured Home Tours for 2027
Modernism Week Featured Home Tour: Casa Haku
Discover a 1959 home designed by the renowned architectural team Palmer and Krisel, reimagined by H3K Home + Design. Casa Haku blends its original midcentury architecture with a sophisticated Japandi-inspired aesthetic, bringing together clean lines, natural materials, and contemporary desert living. The renovation demonstrates how a classic modernist home can evolve while retaining the design principles that made it special.
Modernism Week Featured Home Tour: Mariposa
Step inside Mariposa, one of architect William Krisel's final residential designs. Completed in 2006, H3K Home + Design refreshed the home with updated finishes, carefully considered interiors, and a dramatically reimagined backyard. The result shows how modernist principles can still inspire contemporary desert homes while maintaining a relaxed connection to the outdoors.
Vista Canyon: Desert Modern, Unscripted
Explore Vista Canyon, a distinctive Palm Springs community designed by architect László Sandor. This tour highlights Desert Modernism's expressive side, with bold architectural forms, dramatic mountain views, and exceptional interiors. Discover a different chapter of Palm Springs design beyond the familiar butterfly-roof homes.
Iconic Homes by Celebrated Architects
Hotel Lautner: Experience Architect John Lautner's Desert Masterpiece
Travel to Desert Hot Springs to discover Hotel Lautner, an intimate residential complex architect John Lautner designed in 1947. Originally conceived as a four-unit residential property, the complex demonstrates Lautner's distinctive approach to space, geometry, and the relationship between buildings and their surroundings. This tour offers a rare opportunity to experience the work of one of modern architecture's most influential designers in a unique desert setting.
The Wexler Residence: PS ModCom Iconic Home Tour
Step inside the 1955 residence architect Donald Wexler designed for his own family. This home offers an especially personal look at the work of one of Palm Springs' most influential modernist architects. Explore the design features, residential history, and evolving story of a property that reflects Wexler's practical, elegant approach to desert living.
The Raymond Loewy House: Albert Frey's 1946 Masterpiece
Discover the remarkable home architect Albert Frey designed for industrial designer Raymond Loewy. Set against the dramatic desert landscape, the residence is celebrated for its innovative use of glass, natural rock formations, and seamless indoor-outdoor connections. The pool extends toward the living space, demonstrating Frey's ability to make the surrounding landscape an integral part of the architecture.
Frank Sinatra's Twin Palms Estate
Visit one of Palm Springs' most famous celebrity residences: Frank Sinatra's Twin Palms estate, designed by architect E. Stewart Williams in 1947. The property became a symbol of Hollywood's desert lifestyle, with its iconic pool, piano-shaped swimming pool design, and entertaining spaces associated with Sinatra's legendary parties. This tour offers a glimpse into Palm Springs' architecture and cultural history during its glamorous postwar heyday.
Perched on the mountainside above Palm Springs, Frey House II is one of architect Albert Frey's most celebrated works. The compact residence responds to its rugged site, incorporating natural rock, expansive views, and carefully positioned windows that connect the interior to the desert landscape. Tours hosted by the Palm Springs Art Museum offer a rare chance to experience this architectural landmark and learn about Frey's minimalist approach to desert living.
Neighborhood Home Tours: Explore More Than One Masterpiece
Canyon View Estates: The Finale
Explore six oversized homes in Canyon View Estates, a sought-after Palm Springs neighborhood known for its spacious residences, classic Krisel designs, and sweeping views. This tour offers a closer look at the variety of homes and distinctive architectural details within one of the city's established modernist communities.
Little Beverly Hills Neighborhood Home Tour: Celebrating 70 Years
Celebrate the 70th anniversary of Little Beverly Hills, a Palm Springs neighborhood known for its midcentury residential architecture. The tour explores the community's history and design legacy, offering a chance to see how its homes have evolved while retaining the distinctive character of postwar modernism.
Little Tuscany: Architectural Icons in the Hills
Explore six private residences in Little Tuscany, a hillside neighborhood where modernist architecture responds to the dramatic terrain of the San Jacinto Mountains. The tour showcases architectural innovation, distinctive residential designs, and the way desert homes frame mountain views and connect indoor and outdoor spaces.
Tamarisk West Neighborhood Home Tour: Seven Midcentury Modern Gems
Discover seven homes in Tamarisk West, a residential community designed by architect S. Charles Lee and built in 1964. The neighborhood combines modernist residences with landscaped grounds and swimming pools, offering a look at the relationship between architecture, gardens, and resort-inspired desert living.
Villa Riviera: Palms, Patios and Modernism
Explore Villa Riviera, a 1967 community of 30 midcentury residences. This tour opens eight homes, revealing a range of original architectural details and contemporary updates. From garden atriums to creatively redesigned interiors, the properties demonstrate how midcentury architecture can adapt to modern lifestyles.
Villa Alejo: Creative Living, Art, Architecture and Midcentury Inspiration
Visit Villa Alejo, a distinctive 1965 condominium complex designed by architect Donald Engen. Its striking concrete-pipe brise soleil, central courtyard, martini-glass-shaped pool, and mountain views make it an architectural landmark. The 2027 tour highlights recent restoration work, select residences, and conversations with resident artists, authors, and musicians who draw inspiration from the building's modernist design.
Some tours provide access to home interiors, while others focus on exterior architecture, landscaped grounds, or multiple residences within a neighborhood. Check each event description to see exactly what's included.
Browse the official Modernism Week 2027 home tour schedule for the complete lineup, dates, ticket prices, and availability.
Planning Your Home Tours
Popular home tours can sell out quickly, especially those featuring celebrity estates, architect-designed landmarks, and homes rarely open to the public.
Before purchasing tickets, review the tour duration, meeting location, transportation arrangements, and access requirements. Some neighborhood tours require visitors to drive between homes, while others involve walking outdoors or navigating steps. Accessibility varies by property.
Wear comfortable shoes, bring sun protection, and allow time between activities. With homes and tours spread across Palm Springs and neighboring desert communities, plan your schedule by location to make the most of your visit.
Presentations, Live Talks and Films: Explore the Ideas Behind Modernism
Modernism Week is about more than seeing beautiful buildings. Its presentations, live talks, and film screenings explore the people, ideas, and creative movements that shaped modern architecture and design—and how their influence continues today.
The 2027 program brings together architectural historians, designers, authors, artists, filmmakers, and preservation experts for presentations at venues including the Annenberg Theater at the Palm Springs Art Museum. Topics range from the origins of Desert Modernism and the legacy of influential architects to midcentury furniture, historic photography, landscape design, and preserving significant buildings.
Many of these are one-time events, so please check dates and get your tickets early. Go to the full list of Modernism Week presentations, live talks, and films.
Featured Presentations and Talks for 2027
Beyond Frank Lloyd Wright: The Trailblazing Life and Work of Marion Mahony Griffin
Discover the extraordinary career of Marion Mahony Griffin, an architect and artist whose contributions to modern architecture have often been overshadowed by those of her contemporaries. The presentation explores her groundbreaking architectural drawings, her early collaboration with Frank Lloyd Wright, and her partnership with architect Walter Burley Griffin, including their work designing Australia's capital, Canberra.
The Alexanders and William Krisel: Building the Palm Springs Dream
Learn how developer George Alexander, his family, and architect William Krisel helped shape Palm Springs' residential landscape. Their collaboration brought stylish, modern homes to a wider audience, demonstrating that good design could be both innovative and accessible. This presentation explores the partnership that helped define the look and character of postwar desert living.
Modernism in Living Color: Rediscovering the Desert's Original Palette
Think midcentury modern architecture was all white, beige, and neutral tones? Think again. This presentation explores the bold original colors of iconic desert landmarks and reveals how color shaped Palm Springs' architectural identity and the surrounding region.
Desert Modernism 101: From Bauhaus to Our House
For visitors who want to understand the foundations of modernist design, this popular introduction explores the ideas and design principles that transformed postwar American architecture. Learn about the movement's international influences and how those ideas evolved into the distinctive forms, materials, and indoor-outdoor connections associated with Desert Modernism.
Explore the contributions of the pioneering women who helped shape Palm Springs. Renee Brown, director of education at the Palm Springs Historical Society, shares stories of the women whose work and influence contributed to the city's growth and cultural identity. This presentation offers valuable insight into the people behind the city's history.
Beyond the Photograph: The Real Story Behind Case Study House #22
Discover the story behind one of modern architecture's most recognizable images: Julius Shulman's photograph of Pierre Koenig's Case Study House #22, also known as the Stahl House. Longtime Stahl House docent Andrew Edelstein examines the challenges of the hillside site, the home's creation, and the circumstances that helped turn the photograph into an enduring symbol of modernist architecture.
Ray Eames and Lee Krasner: Dear Friends, Trailblazing Modernists, and Indispensable Wives
Explore the friendship between two influential midcentury women: designer Ray Eames and abstract artist Lee Krasner. This presentation examines their artistic development, shared creative circles, and relationships with their celebrated husbands, offering a closer look at two women whose individual achievements deserve recognition in their own right.
Arthur Elrod and William Raiser Beyond Palm Springs: A Lost Chapter of Modernism
Discover a lesser-known chapter in the careers of interior designer Arthur Elrod and designer William Raiser. This presentation explores their work beyond Palm Springs, highlighting key modernist interiors and the contributions of Black designers whose achievements architectural history has often overlooked.
Keeping Modernism Standing: Sites, Stories and Stewardship at the National Trust
Learn how preservation organizations protect significant modernist buildings for future generations. National Trust leaders discuss the challenges and opportunities involved in preserving landmarks such as Philip Johnson's Glass House and Mies van der Rohe's Edith Farnsworth House, highlighting the work required to keep modern architecture relevant and accessible.
The Manifesto House: Buildings that Changed the Future of Architecture
Explore homes that challenged conventional architectural thinking and introduced new ways of living. Architectural historian Owen Hopkins examines 21 influential houses, tracing how visionary architects used residential design to express new ideas about materials, technology, culture, and the relationship between people and their surroundings.
Films, Art and Design Experiences
The 2027 program also includes film screenings, artistic explorations, and presentations that go beyond architecture.
Charles and Ray Eames: Built, Unbuilt and Unseen Houses examines the design duo's human-centered approach to prefabricated housing and how their ideas are finding new applications today.
Pedro E. Guerrero: Capturing an Overlooked Photographic Legacy explores the work of the photographer who documented some of the 20th century's most influential artists and architects, helping preserve their work and creative environments for future generations.
Modern Design Under the Sun: A Survey of Post-War Outdoor Furniture examines the designers and companies that transformed outdoor living, from Walter Lamb and the Eameses to influential furniture makers such as Brown Jordan.
The Palm Springs School: Desert Modernism 1934–1975 — Film Premiere of filmmaker Leo Zahn's documentary based on architectural historian Alan Hess's book The Palm Springs School: Desert Modernism 1934–1975. Narrated by Hess, the film uses archival photographs and digital techniques to bring historic buildings and interiors to life, tracing the architects and ideas that helped establish the Coachella Valley as an important center of modern design.
Other programs explore midcentury jewelry, vintage glassware, interior design, historic photography and the creative communities that helped shape modern art and architecture.
More Talks on Palm Springs History and Preservation
Several presentations focus specifically on the Coachella Valley's architectural and cultural heritage.
Legacies of William F. Cody: Generations of Inspiration in Art and Architecture examines the enduring influence of the architect whose work helped shape Palm Springs' built environment and the surrounding desert.
The Invisible Frey: From Fire Station No. 2 to Mizell Center traces the evolution of a building designed for public service by architect Albert Frey, highlighting how modernist architecture can be adapted to serve changing community needs.
An Evening of Herbert Burns: The Design Aesthetic of “The Charismatic Chameleon” celebrates the work of the hotel developer associated with several distinctive Palm Springs properties. The program combines a discussion, a short documentary premiere, and a reception.
These presentations provide context for the buildings and neighborhoods visitors encounter during Modernism Week, while highlighting the importance of architectural preservation and continued community stewardship.
Plan Your Modernism Week Presentations and Films
Many presentations are individually ticketed, and popular programs can sell out. The festival also offers an ALL ACCESS Annenberg Presentation Series, Films and Event Pass for visitors who want to attend multiple programs.
Review the schedule in advance and plan around your home tours, bus excursions, and other activities. Check each listing for its date, venue, duration, ticket price, and any special admission requirements.
For the complete lineup and current ticket information, visit the official Modernism Week 2027 presentations, live talks and films schedule.
Shopping, Design Shows and Unique Experiences
Modernism Week is also a favorite event for collectors, shoppers and design enthusiasts.
The festival's experiential programming combines opportunities to shop for vintage treasures with exhibitions, hands-on activities, garden tours and special access to places that reveal another side of Palm Springs design culture.
The Palm Springs Modernism Show brings together national and international exhibitors offering midcentury and modern furniture, decorative arts, artwork, lighting, and collectibles. It's a popular destination for visitors looking to bring a little modernist style home.
Modernism Week Vintage Car Show
Vintage automobiles are an essential part of the midcentury aesthetic. The festival's free Vintage Car Show celebrates classic cars from the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, reflecting postwar California's optimism and distinctive style.
Desert landscaping is integral to Palm Springs architecture. The 2027 Modern Garden Tour offers access to six gardens in Palm Springs neighborhoods, showcasing how thoughtful planting, outdoor living spaces, and modern architecture work together in the desert environment.
More Ways to Experience Modernism
The 2027 program also includes the Curated Vintage Event, art and architecture studio visits, design-focused workshops, and other special experiences. Visitors can explore the complete selection of activities and experiences through the official Modernism Week 2027 website.
Parties and Social Events
Modernism Week's social calendar adds another dimension to the festival, with themed celebrations, cocktail receptions, dinners and special evening events.
The 2027 Opening Night Party, Beehives & Butterflies, celebrates retro style with food, music and dancing. Other experiences include Saturday Night at the Sinatra Estate and Velvet After Dark at The Vibe.
These events offer a chance to experience Palm Springs' playful side while celebrating the design, entertainment and cultural history that have long been part of the city's identity.
Some social events have limited capacity, so review the schedule and ticket requirements before planning your evening.
For the complete lineup and current ticket information, visit the official Modernism Week entertainment and social website.
Tips for Planning Your Modernism Week Visit
Modernism Week is one of Palm Springs' most popular annual events. A little advance planning can help you make the most of your time in the desert.
Buy Tickets Early
Popular home tours, bus tours, and special events can sell out quickly. Review the schedule ahead of time, identify your must-see activities, and be ready to purchase tickets when sales open. Check the official event listings for current availability and ticket policies.
Book Your Hotel Early
February is a busy season in Palm Springs, and Modernism Week attracts visitors from across the country and around the world. Reserve accommodations well in advance for the best selection of hotels, resorts, boutique inns, and vacation rentals.
Consider staying near downtown Palm Springs if you want convenient access to restaurants, shopping, and some festival activities. If your itinerary includes tours in several desert communities, factor in driving time when choosing accommodations.
Explore our Palm Springs places to stay guide to find the right lodging for your visit.
Explore Beyond the Festival
Modernism Week is a great way to discover Palm Springs, but the city's architecture, art, dining, and outdoor experiences are worth exploring throughout your stay.
Visit the Palm Springs Art Museum, stroll through the Uptown Design District, browse vintage shops, enjoy a meal on a sunny patio, or explore the city's architectural landmarks on your own.
For more ideas, explore our Palm Springs things to do guide.
Dress for Desert Weather
February typically brings pleasant daytime temperatures and cooler evenings. Wear comfortable walking shoes for neighborhood tours, bring sun protection, and carry a light jacket for early mornings and after-dark events.
For more seasonal advice, see our Palm Springs weather guide.
Modernism Week – October, 2027
Can't make it to Palm Springs in February? Modernism Week also hosts a smaller fall festival.
Modernism Week – October is scheduled for October 14–17, 2027. This four-day event offers another opportunity to experience modernist architecture, educational programs, and special events in the Coachella Valley.
The October 2027 schedule preview is expected July 25, with tickets going on sale August 1, 2027, at noon Pacific time.
Visit the official Modernism Week website for announcements and updated information as the fall festival approaches.
