Best events in
Palm Desert

From sunset art walks to arena concerts, finding dynamic events and community things to do in Palm Desert, CA relies on knowing where local culture thrives. The high-desert enclave blends an upscale gallery strip along El Paseo with a grounded live music circuit across neighborhood taverns and parks. Performing arts halls, arena sports, and open mic gatherings give the Coachella Valley hub a steady social cadence across all seasons.

Strolling through the upscale shopping and art gallery district along El Paseo offers gallery receptions during the monthly El Paseo Art Walk alongside the annual Palm Desert Food & Wine Festival.
High-energy arena entertainment and desert sports take center stage at Acrisure Arena, which serves as the home venue for the Coachella Valley Firebirds hockey team.
Local nightlife and indie performances flourish at community staples, ranging from open mic comedy and indie music at The Hood Bar & Pizza to classical theater and dance at McCallum Theatre.

autocomplete

Popular in Palm Desert

Explore more events

Domestic Water and Storm Water Tour

Wed, Oct 7 • 8:00 AM

Coachella Valley Water District

Check ticket price on event

NHCA Desert Cities - Networking Mixer

Fri, Oct 9 • 5:30 PM

The Fix On El Paseo

Check ticket price on event

Yum Food Fest & Night Market l October 10 & 11, 2026

Sat, Oct 10 • 3:00 PM

The Shops at Palm Desert

Check ticket price on event

ACTV Studio IRL: Vuori Palm Desert x Shifted Fitness and Performance

Sat, Oct 10 • 8:00 AM

Vuori

Check ticket price on event

3rd Annual Bosoms and Brews Fest for Breast Cancer Awareness

Thu, Oct 15 • 5:00 PM

La Quinta Brewing Co.

Check ticket price on event

Spooky Bingo at The Shops

Thu, Oct 22 • 12:00 PM

72840 CA-111

Check ticket price on event

25th Anniversary Celebration of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains

Fri, Oct 23 • 8:30 AM

Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center

Check ticket price on event

Wagyu, Whiskey, and Wine - Morton's Palm Desert

Sat, Nov 7 • 6:00 PM + 1 more

Morton's The Steakhouse

Check ticket price on event

Domestic Water and Storm Water Tour

Wed, Oct 7 • 8:00 AM

Coachella Valley Water District

Check ticket price on event

NHCA Desert Cities - Networking Mixer

Fri, Oct 9 • 5:30 PM

The Fix On El Paseo

Check ticket price on event

Yum Food Fest & Night Market l October 10 & 11, 2026

Sat, Oct 10 • 3:00 PM

The Shops at Palm Desert

Check ticket price on event

ACTV Studio IRL: Vuori Palm Desert x Shifted Fitness and Performance

Sat, Oct 10 • 8:00 AM

Vuori

Check ticket price on event

3rd Annual Bosoms and Brews Fest for Breast Cancer Awareness

Thu, Oct 15 • 5:00 PM

La Quinta Brewing Co.

Check ticket price on event

Spooky Bingo at The Shops

Thu, Oct 22 • 12:00 PM

72840 CA-111

Check ticket price on event

25th Anniversary Celebration of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains

Fri, Oct 23 • 8:30 AM

Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center

Check ticket price on event

Wagyu, Whiskey, and Wine - Morton's Palm Desert

Sat, Nov 7 • 6:00 PM + 1 more

Morton's The Steakhouse

Check ticket price on event

Explore more events

Online Events

Explore more events

Black Girl Book Fair! Spooky Edition

Saturday • 12:00 AM CDT

Check ticket price on event

Ethically Shady: Navigating the Gray Areas of Interpreting

Saturday • 10:00 AM PDT

Check ticket price on event

ARBD in the community: recognition, response and pathways forward

Thu, Oct 15 • 10:00 AM GMT+1

Check ticket price on event

(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Tue, Oct 27 • 11:30 AM EDT

Check ticket price on event

No Title, No Permission, No Problem: Harnessing the Power of Influence

Thu, Nov 5 • 1:00 PM GMT

Check ticket price on event

Lean Global Connection 2026

Thu, Nov 12 • 2:00 PM UTC

Check ticket price on event

The MI5 Archive: Official Secrets

Fri, Nov 27 • 2:00 PM GMT

Check ticket price on event

Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Black Girl Book Fair! Spooky Edition

Saturday • 12:00 AM CDT

Check ticket price on event

Ethically Shady: Navigating the Gray Areas of Interpreting

Saturday • 10:00 AM PDT

Check ticket price on event

ARBD in the community: recognition, response and pathways forward

Thu, Oct 15 • 10:00 AM GMT+1

Check ticket price on event

(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Tue, Oct 27 • 11:30 AM EDT

Check ticket price on event

No Title, No Permission, No Problem: Harnessing the Power of Influence

Thu, Nov 5 • 1:00 PM GMT

Check ticket price on event

Lean Global Connection 2026

Thu, Nov 12 • 2:00 PM UTC

Check ticket price on event

The MI5 Archive: Official Secrets

Fri, Nov 27 • 2:00 PM GMT

Check ticket price on event

Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Explore more events

Food & Drink events

The Judgment of Paris Wine Dinner - Mastro's Palm Desert Steakhouse

Wed, Oct 7 • 7:00 PM

Mastro's Steakhouse

Check ticket price on event

Yum Food Fest & Night Market l October 10 & 11, 2026

Sat, Oct 10 • 3:00 PM

The Shops at Palm Desert

Check ticket price on event

Table 4 Tonight: Palm Desert | Dinner with New Friends small town edition

Tue, Oct 13 • 7:00 PM + 2 more

Restaurant of the Week

Check ticket price on event

Wagyu, Whiskey, and Wine - Morton's Palm Desert

Sat, Nov 7 • 6:00 PM + 1 more

Morton's The Steakhouse

Check ticket price on event

The Judgment of Paris Wine Dinner - Mastro's Palm Desert Steakhouse

Wed, Oct 7 • 7:00 PM

Mastro's Steakhouse

Check ticket price on event

Yum Food Fest & Night Market l October 10 & 11, 2026

Sat, Oct 10 • 3:00 PM

The Shops at Palm Desert

Check ticket price on event

Table 4 Tonight: Palm Desert | Dinner with New Friends small town edition

Tue, Oct 13 • 7:00 PM + 2 more

Restaurant of the Week

Check ticket price on event

Wagyu, Whiskey, and Wine - Morton's Palm Desert

Sat, Nov 7 • 6:00 PM + 1 more

Morton's The Steakhouse

Check ticket price on event

Health & Wellness events

ACTV Studio IRL: Vuori Palm Desert x Shifted Fitness and Performance

Sat, Oct 10 • 8:00 AM

Vuori

Check ticket price on event

The Art of Receiving

Thu, Nov 12 • 6:00 PM

IL Sogno

Check ticket price on event

Palm Desert Senior Expo

Tue, Mar 30 • 10:00 AM

Palm Desert Community Center

Check ticket price on event

ACTV Studio IRL: Vuori Palm Desert x Shifted Fitness and Performance

Sat, Oct 10 • 8:00 AM

Vuori

Check ticket price on event

The Art of Receiving

Thu, Nov 12 • 6:00 PM

IL Sogno

Check ticket price on event

Palm Desert Senior Expo

Tue, Mar 30 • 10:00 AM

Palm Desert Community Center

Check ticket price on event

Points of Interest near Palm Desert

Palm Desert Cross

Desert Holocaust Memorial

The Living Desert Zoo And Gardens

Santa Rosa And San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center

Frequently asked questions about Palm Desert

What free outdoor events take place in Palm Desert, CA?

Head to Civic Center Park for community concert series and public park gatherings. The city hosts the Concerts in the Park series as a recurring seasonal program featuring mixed musical genres. Additionally, the monthly El Paseo Art Walk lets art enthusiasts wander galleries and enjoy free cultural events.

Where are the best venues for live music events in Palm Desert, CA?

Catch live shows at The Hood Bar & Pizza or grab drinks while watching local acts at Red Barn. The Hood Bar & Pizza features genres like hip-hop, metal, and folk alongside open mic nights. Meanwhile, Red Barn delivers classic dive bar vibes with live rock and punk.

Which neighborhoods host regular art events in Palm Desert, CA?

Visit the El Paseo shopping district to experience gallery showcases and monthly art events. Galleries along El Paseo open their doors for receptions and artist demonstrations during the monthly El Paseo Art Walk. The district also hosts the annual Palm Desert Golf Cart Parade, showcasing creative community float designs.

Where can visitors find stand-up comedy and theater performances?

Reserve seats at the McCallum Theatre for touring comedy acts, theatrical plays, and dance productions. Located in Palm Desert, this premier venue offers a broad schedule of performing arts. Local performers also gather for recurring open mic events featuring comedy and poetry at The Hood Bar & Pizza.

What food and drink events highlight the Palm Desert culinary scene?

Plan around the annual Palm Desert Food & Wine Festival for premier culinary tastings on El Paseo. The multi-day festival gathers renowned chefs, vintners, and craft brewers for live cooking demonstrations and gourmet dinners. Upscale dining and wine tastings flourish along the El Paseo corridor throughout the year.

What family-friendly things to do are available in Palm Desert?

Gather at Civic Center Park for outdoor recreational gatherings and seasonal community events. Families enjoy the lawn seating during the Concerts in the Park series held every spring and autumn. The annual Palm Desert Golf Cart Parade also provides colorful daytime entertainment for attendees of all ages.

How is the local nightlife and evening entertainment scene?

Experience late-night dancing at nearby staple venue The Nest or sample craft brews alongside live rock music. Located in adjacent Indian Wells, The Nest offers nightly dancing in an upscale setting. For a more casual night, local taverns present open mic events and indie musical acts.

What major entertainment events take place at Acrisure Arena?

Attend professional ice hockey games and major touring concert tours at Acrisure Arena. As the home ice for the Coachella Valley Firebirds, the arena hosts sports competitions and national musical performances. Large-scale arena events bring regional spectators together just outside central Palm Desert.