Our fun loving colleagues, Catherine, Dawn & Valori, from First American Title have come up with a few suggestions for fun things to see and do here in the Coachella Valley in December:
The Arenas District Toy Drive | Through Dec. 14 | Streetbar Palm Springs
You can donate new, unwrapped toys at Streetbar Palm Springs between November 3 and December 14, 2025, benefiting the Boys and Girls Club Palm Springs. For more information: 800-347-7746 | www.visitpalmsprings.com
WildLights | Select Evenings Nov. 29-Dec. 30 | The Living Desert, Palm Desert
The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens in Palm Desert offers a festive take on bioluminescence every winter, when thousands of lights go up around the grounds, creating dazzling tunnels and illuminating oversized versions of the zoo’s most famous animals, like giraffes, zebras, and bighorn sheep. As they explore, ticket-holders can snap photos with Santa, purchase hot chocolate and s’mores (and boozy beverages for grown-up visitors), and potentially spot the Living Desert’s real-life critters. For more information: 760-346-5694 | www.livingdesert.org
Magic of Lights | Through Dec. 31 – See Website For Schedule | Empire Polo Grounds, Indio
Magic of Lights is a dazzling, drive-through holiday lights experience featuring favorite holiday scenes and characters of the season using the latest LED technology and digital animations. Experience Magic of Lights from the comfort and safety of your own car as you wind through the sparkling path of Coachella Valley’s new holiday tradition. One carload, one price.. For more information: https://magicoflights.com/locations/coachella-valley-ca/
Indian Wells Tree Lighting Ceremony | Dec. 2 from 5-6pm | Indian Wells City Hall
Ring in the holiday season at the 2025 Indian Wells Tree Lighting Ceremony! For more information: 760-346-2489 | www.cityofindianwells.org
Rock the Park | Dec. 3 from 7-9pm | Downtown Palm Springs Park
Kick off the Rock the Park concert series with a high-energy tribute to one of America’s greatest rock legends. The Springsteen Experience celebrates the music of Bruce Springsteen - one of the most prolific songwriters and storytellers of our time. With a catalog spanning over four decades, this tribute delivers a powerful performance that captures the heart, soul, and spirit of The Boss. Bring your blankets and chairs, grab your friends, and settle in for an unforgettable evening under the desert stars. For more information: 760-325-1577 | www.pschamber.org
Palm Springs Holiday Market at VillageFest } Dec. 4, 11, & 18 from 6-10pm | Palm Canyon Drive
Get into the holiday spirit at VillageFest with the exciting kickoff event, “Cookies With Mrs Claus on Dec. 4th, followed by the “VillageFest Holiday Performance” on Dec. 11th and “Santa at Villagefest” on Dec. 18th. 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 handcrafted gifts. For more information : https://villagefest.org/events/
City of Palm Springs Holiday Tree Lighting | Dec. 5 at 5:15pm | Frances Stevens Park
The City of Palm Springs Holiday Banner Awards begin at 4pm. 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, join the Palm Springs City Councilmembers and Santa Claus to light up the City’s stunning 22-foot Holiday Tree. The evening includes a meet-and-greet with Santa, free cookies and cocoa, as well as arts and crafts for the little ones. For more information: 800-347-7746 | https://visitpalmsprings.com/event/city-of-palm-springs-holiday-tree-lighting/3681/
City of Palm Springs Holiday Banner Awards | Dec. 5 at 4pm | Frances Stevens Park
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. Free cookies and hot cocoa will be on hand. For more information: 800-347-7746 | www.visitpalmsprings.com
La Quinta Tree Lighting Ceremony |Dec. 5 from 6-8pm | Civic Center Campus, La Quinta
Bring the whole family for a night of festive fun, tasty treats, snow, and a special visit from Santa! Don’t forget your gloves and bundle up to stay cozy. For more information: 760-777-7000 | https://www.laquintaca.gov/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/16434/
El Paseo Cruise Night| Dec. 5 from 2-4pm | The Palm Desert Area Chamber Parking Lot
You don’t need to own a Classic Car to enjoy all the festivities of Cruise Night on El Paseo. Everyone is welcome! If you don’t own a car to Cruise with, come and view the cars and meet the owners. El Paseo Cruisin starts at 4:00. For more information: 760-346-6111 | www.elpaseocruisenight.com
Equality Garden Party Fundraiser | Dec. 6 from 6-10pm | Flannery Exchange, 750 N. Palm Canyon Dr Unit F, Palm Springs
Join us for a fun-filled garden party celebrating equality, diversity, and inclusion in our community! We’re thrilled to announce that the incomparable Aurora Sexton will be joining us as our celebrity guest hostess. For more information: 909-346-9322 | https://www.eventbrite.com/e/equality-garden-party-fundrasier-tickets-1612405049909?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
Santa Magic | Dec. 6 from 9am-2pm | The Gardens on El Paseo, Palm Desert
Snap a photo with Old St. Nick. Enjoy free holiday fun with bounce houses, snow shows, and story time with Mrs. Claus. Benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters. For more information: 760-862-1990 | https://thegardensonelpaseo.com/pages/santa-magic
Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade | Dec. 6 at 5:30pm | Downtown Palm Springs
Founded in the early 1990s, the radiant parade features illuminated floats, marching bands, and performers, as well as a number of big-name grand marshals (think Nancy Sinatra), special guests, and Old Saint Nick himself. Parking is hard to come by, so arrive early. For more information: 800-347-7746 | www.visitpalmsprings.com
The Leslie’s 37th Annual Toy Drive & Fundraiser | Dec. 6
Benefitting The Laurel Foundation — an organization dedicated to empowering children, youth, and families from marginalized communities. Through year-round mental health and social support programs, The Laurel Foundation uplifts at-promise youth, transgender and gender-diverse youth, young people at risk of or affected by HIV/AIDS, and their families. Join Sam and Ashan for a festive holiday evening at the Palm Springs Art Museum, featuring a hosted bar, gourmet dinner, raffle, silent and live auctions, and classic Christmas carols. For more information: 760-322-4800 | https://www.psmuseum.org/events/the-leslies-37th-annual-toy-drive-fundraiser?date=2025-12-06
Feliz NaviDOG | Dec. 6 from 9-10:30am | Esperanza Park, Cathedral City
Join in the fun of the First Annual Feliz NaviDOG costume contest event on Decmeber 6th at Esperanza Dog Park. Registration begins at 9:00am and the contest begins at 9:30am. All Breeds and sizes welcome. Two categories: Small & Large Dogs. 1st Prize: two $75 gift cards; 2nd Prize: two $50 gift cards; 3rd Prize: two $25 gift cards. PLUS four bicycles will be raffled off. Complimentary pastries and refreshments provided. This event is sponsored by KOFFI. For more information: 760-770-0340 | https://www.discovercathedralcity.com/?s=Feliz+NaviDOG
Tamale Festival | Dec. 6-7 from 10am-7pm | Downtown Indio
During the first weekend of December, the festival hosts families who gather to embrace the festive spirit, traditional cuisines, refreshing drinks, and lively entertainment. Today, the festival hosts over 200 vendors, 6 stages of live entertainment, beer gardens, and has hosted over 50,000 patrons per year. For more information: www.indiointernationaltamalefestival.com
Ironman 70.3 La Quinta | Dec. 7 | Various Coachella Valley Venues
Participants in this grueling (but rewarding) winter race will swim in the manmade reservoir of Lake Cahuilla, ride bikes across a flat course that includes a lap around The Thermal Club’s race car track, and jog through the rolling greens of SilverRock Resort’s golf course in La Quinta for more than 70 total miles. The event wraps with refreshments for all the athletes and an awards ceremony honoring the speediest racers. For more information: www.ironman.com/races/im703-la-quinta
Christmas Wreath & Dessert Auction | Dec. 7 at 6pm | The Roost Lounge, 68718 E. Palm Canyon Dr. #203, Cathedral City
The Roost Lounge’s festive auction benefits the Boys & Girls Club of Cathedral City. Drop off your dessert by 5 p.m., then bid, mingle, and cheer on winners of the wreath contest. For more information: 760-507-8495 | https://www.theroostcc.com/events
Holiday Jazz Under the Stars | Dec. 9 from 6-8:30pm | Hotel Paseo, Palm Desert
Celebrate the season in style at Hotel Paseo’s Backyard, where twinkling lights, cozy fire pits, and live holiday jazz create an enchanting open-air evening. Gather with friends and family for a family-style feast of chef-inspired seasonal dishes and Campari curated cocktails. For more information: 760-340-9001 | https://www.hotelpaseo.com/weekend-trips/thing-to-do-palm-desert/
Movie Night at Center Stage | Dec. 11 from 6-8pm | 82881 Miles Ave, Indio
Get into the holiday spirit with a special screening of The Grinch. Bring the whole family for a magical evening under the stars. The first 100 kids can grab a free burger from Papa Headz, and everyone can enjoy popcorn. For more information: 760-391-4000 | https://www.indio.org/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/18131/17?curm=12&cury=2025
Desert Hot Springs Parade of Lights & Holiday Festival | Dec. 13 from 5:45-10pm / 11999 Palm Drive, Desert Hot Springs
Parade starts at Palm and Mission Lakes Blvd. and ends at Palm and 2nd Street. The holiday festival is on Palm and Pierson immediately following the parade. Get into the spirit of the season with our Parade of Lights, where shimmering floats and dazzling displays will light up the night. For more information: 760-329-6411 | https://www.cityofdhs.org/event/parade-of-lights-and-holiday-festival/
Cathedral City Snowfest | Dec. 13 from 4-8pm | Civic Center Plaza, Cathedral City
An afternoon and evening of FUN with 10 tons of real snow! Activities include: Santa’s arrival and photo op, tree lighting ceremony, snowfest train, elfworkshop, and ugly sweater contest for the kids! For more information: 760-770-0396 | https://www.discovercathedralcity.com/event/snowfest-2025/
Palm Springs Movie in the Park | Dec. 13 from 7-10pm | Baristo Park
Bring your family, grab some popcorn, and see if the Grinch’s heart grows three sizes tonight! For more information: 760-323-8272 | https://www.palmspringsca.gov/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/30696/15?curm=12&cury=2025
Art on Main Street | Dec. 13 from 9am-3pm | Old Town La Quinta
Enjoy a vibrant outdoor art experience featuring local and regional artists showcasing original works including fine art, jewelry, photography, ceramics, textiles, glass, woodwork, and more — all in a charming village setting surrounded by shops, dining, and mountain views. For more information: 760-600-0809 | www.oldtownlaquinta.com
Holiday Open House & Cookie Drive | Dec. 18 from 10am-2pm | Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce
Benefits local health care workers. Stop by our office and enjoy some light bites and holiday cheer. We will accept all types of cookie donations (homemade or store bought, individually wrapped or not). All donations will be delivered by the chamber to the local hospitals. For more information: 760-568-9351 | https://business.ranchomiragechamber.org/events/details/annual-holiday-open-house-cookie-drive-5279?calendarMonth=2025-12-01
Snowtopia | Dec. 19-22 from 6-9pm | Palm Springs Air Museum
It’s a Winter Wonderland with Meet and Greet with Santa and all sorts of fun family activities! Enjoy 60 tons of snow in a playground outside on the tarmac; ride a real holiday Train; make your own S’Mores over outdoor firepits. Feast on pizza, hot dogs and more from Food Trucks. Frosty the Snowman, Elves and Mrs. Claus will be on hand for photos galore. Enjoy craft-making and holiday shopping inside the Miles Hangar. For more information: 760-778-6262 | https://palmspringsairmuseum.org/signature-events/
Santa Runs Palm Springs | Dec. 20 at 8:30am | Temple Isaiah parking lot
We’re excited to announce that the Santa Paws 5K is now the Santa Runs Palm Springs! The event you all love with a new twist! This unique 5K event invites every participant to be Santa Claus! Each registered participant will receive a full Santa suit to wear during the event, which you can then keep. Join us to run, walk, or stroll the 5K (3.1-mile) route. Strollers and dogs are welcome to participate! For children 10 and under, we offer a 200-meter Elf Dash. Entry for the children’s event is $15 and includes a finisher medal. For more information: https://runsignup.com/Race/CA/PalmSprings/PalmSpringsSantaPaws5K
Breakfast with Santa | Dec. 20 from 8-11am | Palm Springs Leisure Center
Bring your Christmas pajamas, jingle bells, and holiday spirt because is ready to hear your wish list while you enjoy a morning of cozy cheer. Join us for a morning full of laughter, pancakes, and festive cheer where Santa takes a break from the North Pole just for you! For more information: 760-323-8299 | www.palmspringsca.gov
Palm Springs Movie in the Park | Dec. 13 from 7-10pm | Baristo Park
This holiday season...Not all things are sugar and spice. Join us under the stars for a thrilling movie night where mischief runs wild and surprises await around every corner! Will Krampus ruin Christmas...or just keep you at the edge of your seat. For more information: 760-323-8272 | www.palmspringsca.gov
Lights for Little Lives Memorial Walk | Dec. 31 from 12:30-3:30pm | Loma Linda University
This beautiful gathering features a memorial walk, candlelight vigil, and moment of reflection, offering a space for healing, remembrance, and community connection. Families, friends, and supporters, come together to celebrate the lives of these “little lights” and to raise awareness and funds to help other grieving families say goodbye with dignity. For more information: www.unforgettables.org
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