Can't wait for the holiday joy in Palm Springs? Dive into our guide for the best festive events! For Palm Springs residents and wandering souls alike, our guide is your compass to holiday magic.
Popular Events: Experience the dazzling Hollywood Christmas Parade, where festive floats and celebrity appearances light up the streets. With a blend of music and cheer, it's a community favorite. Another highlight is the Mariah Carey Christmas, featuring unforgettable performances by the iconic singer. And don’t forget that Christmas With The Crawfords adds a unique twist to the season with its theatrical charm. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Please contact us if you have suggestions or corrections!
Join the Palm Springs Discussion!
Top Holiday Events In and Around Palm Springs
- Mariah Carey Christmas (Hollywood)
- Hollywood Christmas Parade (Hollywood)
- Elf The Musical
- Christmas With The Crawfords
- Sarah Brightman Christmas Symphony (Indio)
- Snowtopia
- WildLights at Living Desert Zoo and Gardens (Palm Desert)
- John Denver’s Rocky Mountain Christmas (Anaheim)
- Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus - Ring Swing Sing
- Sweet Soul Christmas
See these and even more events listed below!
Palm Springs Holiday Light Displays
WildLights at Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting with over three million lights.
Description:
WildLights at Living Desert Zoo and Gardens features over three million dazzling lights, live nightly entertainment, and festive photo ops. Guests can stroll through the African Safari section, see iconic animals, and enjoy holiday-themed displays like the Tunnel of Lights and G-Scale model train. Delectable wintertime treats and beverages are available, including beer, wine, and specialty cocktails for guests 21 and older.
Where: Palm Desert | More Info: WildLights at Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
Palm Springs Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Christmas With The Crawfords
What to Expect:
Uproarious Nunsense Christmas musical with live broadcasting.
Description:
Desert Theatreworks presents "Nuncrackers," a zany Christmas musical featuring the Nunsense sisters as they spread holiday cheer and yuletide laughs. The show includes traditional holiday songs, a hilarious secret Santa contest, and a quirky rendition of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Ballet.
Where: Palm Springs | More Info: Christmas With The Crawfords
Sweet Soul Christmas
What to Expect:
Soulful holiday concert with a blend of funk, jazz, and R&B.
Description:
Greg Adams and East Bay Soul present a soulful holiday celebration with powerful horns, lush strings, and sweet soul vocals, blending funk, jazz, and R&B in their unique style.
Where: Palm Springs | More Info: Sweet Soul Christmas
Elf The Musical
What to Expect:
Unique blend of realistic drama and glamorous musical performances.
Description:
Palm Canyon Theatre presents a diverse lineup of productions, including "Shunned," a play about Amish life and isolation, and "Sundew," a touching story about an eccentric old woman's ecological struggles. The theatre also features "La Cage Aux Folles," a glitzy musical set in a Saint-Tropez drag nightclub, exploring themes of family and identity.
Where: Palm Springs | More Info: Elf The Musical
Modern Men present Comfort And Joy
What to Expect:
Exquisite holiday concert with a blend of nostalgic and new music.
Description:
Modern Men presents a joyous holiday concert, Home for the Holidays, featuring exquisite singing that combines delightful nostalgia with brand new music, celebrating personal experiences and the spirit of the season.
Where: Palm Springs | More Info: Modern Men present Comfort And Joy
Cozy Little Christmas
What to Expect:
Intimate holiday concert with musical and comedic performances.
Description:
Drew Sebastian and Ethylina Canne present a Cozy Little Christmas variety show, featuring a blend of music, comedy, and holiday cheer.
Where: Palm Springs | More Info: Cozy Little Christmas
Levi Kreis Home for the Holidays Tour
What to Expect:
Intimate holiday concert with a unique blend of musical genres.
Description:
Levi Kreis presents a 90-minute act featuring a trio with Josh Turner on upright bass and Anthony Ty Johnson on drums, blending jazz, gospel, country, and rockabilly in a holiday celebration.
Where: Palm Springs | More Info: Levi Kreis Home for the Holidays Tour
Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus - Ring Swing Sing
What to Expect:
Vibrant holiday concert with diverse musical offerings.
Description:
The Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus presents "Ring Swing Sing!", an invigorating holiday show featuring special guest artist Hope Diamond Deans, choreographed by Joe Gregore Duffield. The concert includes a diverse range of music from Broadway and Hollywood, as well as songs for Chanukah and Kwanzaa, and a handbell choir. The vibrant program includes traditional songs like "Ave Maria" and "Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus."
Where: Palm Springs | More Info: Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus - Ring Swing Sing
Holiday Oddities 2
What to Expect:
Vintage home movie screening of holiday celebrations.
Description:
Holiday Oddities 2 is a unique screening featuring a collection of vintage home movies showcasing holiday celebrations from the past, offering a glimpse into local history through nostalgic footage.
Where: Palm Springs | More Info: Holiday Oddities 2
Hollywood Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Iconic parade with legendary celebrities and charitable mission.
Description:
The Hollywood Christmas Parade is a cherished tradition that kicks off the holiday season with spectacular fanfare. Since its inception in 1928, the parade has been a cornerstone of the entertainment industry, drawing participation from legendary celebrities. The event features dazzling floats, marching bands, and performances that create unforgettable memories. It also carries a profound charitable mission, featuring Toys for Tots and other organizations that help underprivileged people during the holiday season.
Where: Hollywood | More Info: Hollywood Christmas Parade
Mariah Carey Christmas
What to Expect:
Iconic holiday concert with Mariah Carey's signature vocals.
Description:
Mariah Carey's Christmas Time at the Hollywood Bowl features a spectacular performance by the legendary singer, accompanied by DJ Suss One, celebrating the holiday season with iconic hits and festive music.
Where: Hollywood | More Info: Mariah Carey Christmas
John Denver’s Rocky Mountain Christmas
What to Expect:
Nostalgic holiday concert with John Denver's iconic songs and carols.
Description:
Rick Schuler's John Denver Christmas concert features all your favorite Denver hits and heartwarming holiday classics, transporting audiences back to the '70s with an intimate and nostalgic experience.
Where: Anaheim | More Info: John Denver’s Rocky Mountain Christmas
Sarah Brightman Christmas Symphony
What to Expect:
World-class soprano performing holiday classics with orchestra and choir.
Description:
Sarah Brightman's Christmas Symphony is a critically acclaimed holiday show featuring the world's biggest-selling soprano performing many of her holiday classics and greatest hits, accompanied by an orchestra, choir, and special guests.
Where: Indio | More Info: Sarah Brightman Christmas Symphony
Palm Springs Other Holiday Activities
Snowtopia
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday event with real snow and festive activities.
Description:
Snowtopia at the Palm Springs Air Museum features 60 tons of real snow, a holiday train, S’mores-making, and festive food trucks. Meet Santa, Frosty, and other holiday characters while enjoying craft-making and holiday shopping.
Where: Palm Springs | More Info: Snowtopia
Santa Paws 5K & Lil' Elf Dash
What to Expect:
Santa suit included for all participants.
Description:
Join the Palm Springs Santa Paws 5K & Lil' Elf Dash, a fun holiday event where participants can be Santa Claus, run, walk, or stroll with strollers and dogs welcome. The 5K route is mostly flat, and the event supports Guide Dogs Desert, a 501c3 charity.
Where: Palm Springs | More Info: Santa Paws 5K & Lil' Elf Dash
Free Christmas Breakfast
What to Expect:
Communal breakfast with curated artwork and midcentury-inspired elements.
Description:
Holiday House Palm Springs offers a unique breakfast experience featuring homemade bread, pastries, fruit, yogurt, granola, cheese, and charcuterie, all included in the guest amenity package.
Where: Palm Springs | More Info: Free Christmas Breakfast
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Cathedral City (6 miles)
- Desert Hot Springs (9 miles)
- La Quinta (18 miles)
- Banning (20 miles)
- Indio (20 miles)
- Yucca Valley (21 miles)
- Coachella (24 miles)
- San Jacinto (24 miles)
- Hemet (25 miles)
- Beaumont (26 miles)
- Yucaipa (32 miles)
- Twentynine Palms (35 miles)
- Menifee (35 miles)
- Perris (39 miles)
- Redlands (40 miles)
- Moreno Valley (40 miles)
- Temecula (42 miles)
- Murrieta (43 miles)
- Highland (43 miles)
- Loma Linda (44 miles)