November 15, 2026 - January 3, 2027
As the holiday season approaches, plan a memorable Christmas getaway that blends festive magic 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
DroneArt Show: Four Seasons
Nov. 20 & 21 - Immerse yourself in a magical evening where classical music meets cutting-edge technology at this DroneArt Show. As night falls, hundreds of illuminated drones take flight, creating stunning shapes in the sky to live string music—a true concert in the sky. This open-air experience lasts about 65 minutes at Sunrise Park.
Palm Springs Holiday Market at VillageFest
Get into the holiday spirit at VillageFest. This outdoor gift market is the perfect place to jumpstart your holiday shopping. 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, VillageFest is the perfect place to spread holiday cheer and find that perfect present. This free event runs from 6 to 10 pm.
December 3 - Enjoy cookies with Mrs. Claus, hot cocoa bar, photo booth, and fun zone
10 - Trackless train rides, holiday shorts, and fun zone
17 - Photo booth with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and fun zone
24 - Christmas Eve for your last-minute shopping.
Tinsel Times Carolers
Sundays & Wednesdays, 5 - 7 pm - Various locations downtown and along Palm Canyon Drive, Courtesy of Palm Springs Unified School District
Follow Santa to The Plaza Theatre
November
27, 7:30 pm - Christmas with the Drifters, The Platters & Cornell Gunter's Coasters - Buy Tickets
28, 7:30 pm - Maria Bamford - Buy Tickets
29, 7:30 pm - Big Bad Voodoo Daddy - Buy Tickets
30, 7:30 pm - David Benoit Christmas Tribute to Charlie Brown - Buy Tickets
Santa often stops by for an evening performance, enjoying the timeless charm that makes the Plaza Theatre one of the city’s most treasured experiences.
December
2, 7:30 pm - Meow Meow's Feline Festive | Buy Tickets
3, 8:00 pm - A John Waters Christmas | Buy Tickets
8, 7:30 pm - The John Denver Christmas Concert | Buy Tickets
11 - 13, Jingle Jangle Jazz Hands with the Gay Men's Chorus | Buy Tickets
15 & 16, 7:30 pm, Jane Lynch's A Swingin' Little Christmas | Tickets for 15th | Tickets for 16th
19 & 20, 7 pm, Modern Men Coachella Valley Men's Chorus: That Holiday Glow | Buy Tickets
21, 7:30 pm, A Very Broadway Christmas | Buy Tickets
22, 7:30 pm - The Most Wonderful Time of the Year | Buy Tickets
23, 7:30 pm - The Dean Martin Story Christmas Special | Buy Tickets
24, 10 am & 2 pm - White Christmas Singalong | Buy Tickets
26, 7:30 pm - The Mariachi Divas: A Holiday Celebration | Buy Tickets
27, 7:00 pm - A Christmas Story (Film) | Buy Tickets
31, 5:00 pm - Lucie Arnaz and Family, A New Year's Eve Celebration | Buy Tickets
Holidays at The Purple Room
November
29, doors open at 5 with show at 7 pm - Judy's Old Fashioned Christmas
December
4 & 5, doors open at 6 pm with show at 8 pm - Nic & Desi: A Broadway Holiday
11 & 12, doors open at 6 pm with show at 8 pm - Levi Kreis: Home for the Holidays
13, doors open at 5 with show at 7 pm - Judy's Old Fashioned Christmas
18 & 19, doors open at 6 pm with show at 8 pm - Branden & James with Effie Passero: Merry & Bright
20, doors open at 5 with show at 7 pm - Judy's Old Fashioned Christmas
27, doors open at 5 with show at 7 pm - Judy's Old Fashioned Christmas
All tickets are available on the Purple Room's entertainment page.
Follow Santa to the Palm Springs Tree Lighting Celebration
December 4, 5:15 pm - Free - Join Main Street Palm Springs, the Mayor, and the City Council for the presentation of the annual Holiday Banner Awards to local student artists from the Palm Springs Unified School District, followed by the official City of Palm Springs Holiday Tree Lighting. The event features holiday caroling and crafts for children, a visit from Santa Claus, and complimentary cookies and hot cocoa. Located at Frances Stevens Park.
Santa stopped by Frances Stevens Park in the afternoon to check out the new public art.
Join Santa at the Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade
December 5, 5:45 pm - Free - 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.
Snapshots with Santa at Downtown Park
December 6 - Free - Presented by the City of Palm Springs
Holidays at the Palm Springs Cultural Center
December
9 - 13, The Bent, a local LGBTQ theater, presents: Skippy'n Bitsy are going Country this Christmas! - Buy Tickets
10, 7 pm - Sweet Soul Christmas: Greg Adams & East Bay Soul - Buy Tickets
12, 7:30 pm - The Rat Pack Holiday Show starring Aaron Jacobs & The Sing Tones - Buy Tickets
13, 3 pm - Sunday Cabaret Series: Frankie's Christmas Extravaganza
17, 7 pm - Deserted Films presents: Holiday Oddities 5: Let's Get Animated! - Buy Tickets
18, 7 pm - Razzle Dazzle: A Broadway Revue with Bonnie G & Special Guests - Buy Tickets
19, 7 pm - Chico's Angels: A Cha-Cha Christmas starring Kay Sedia, Chita Parol & Frieda Laye - Buy Tickets
Visit the Palm Springs Cultural Center for the full music lineup.
Holiday Bake Sale
December 10, 4 - 8 pm - An annual holiday bake sale presented by the Palm Springs Women's Club
Shine On: 50 Years of Sunrise Celebration at Sunrise Park
December 12 - Free - Presented by the City of Palm Springs
Merry Grinchmas
December 12, 9 - 11 am - Free - Meet the Grinch at Demuth Park's Community Center and enjoy holiday crafts. There's also a Grinch costume contest. Family-friendly event open to all. Please RSVP by November 28.
Jingle Paws & Elf Dash
December 12, 9 am - The Guide Dogs of the Desert annual Jingle Paws 5K will be at Ruth Hardy Park. Be sure to register.
Naughty & Nice: Mamas' Boys
December 16 & 17, 7 pm - Dezart Performs, a local theater company, presents Naughty & Nice, a merry, musical, and slightly mischievous holiday cabaret. Get Tickets
John Barrowman: Camp as Christmas
December 18 & 19, 7 pm - International star John Barrowman is bringing his wildly popular holiday tour to the Annenberg Theater! Get ready for an unforgettable evening of festive favorites, show-stopping tunes, hilarious stories, and plenty of cheeky humor. Get Tickets
Breakfast with Santa & Mrs. Claus
December 19, 8 - 11 am - Free - 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.
Holidays at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Lots of holiday magic happening this season at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Holly Jolly Drive-In at the Palm Springs Convention Center
December 19 & 20, 4-8:30 pm - This family-friendly event will turn the parking lot into Santa's Village and show short films starting at 6:30, followed by a feature film at 7 pm on the big screen. Enjoy arts and crafts, free hot chocolate, food and gift vendors, a snow machine, and lots of fun. The feature film on the 19th is Elf, and on the 20th, The Grinch with Jim Carey.
Snowtopia at the Palm Springs Air Museum
Dec. 18 - 21, 6 - 9 pm - Come to the Palm Springs Air Museum for a Winter Wonderland for the whole 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. Plus, enjoy a playground with 50 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.
Join Santa at Santa's Paws 5K Run and Walk
Saturday, December 19, 8:30 am - This one-of-a-kind 5K event lets every participant be Santa Claus. Each participant receives a Santa suit to wear during the event and keeps it. 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.
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