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.

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Popular in Palm Desert

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NHCA Desert Cities - Networking Mixer

Friday • 5:30 PM

The Fix On El Paseo

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

Saturday • 3:00 PM

The Shops at Palm Desert

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

Saturday • 8:00 AM

Vuori

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Strength Training for Beginners

Sunday • 8:00 AM

lululemon

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3rd Annual Bosoms and Brews Fest for Breast Cancer Awareness

Thu, Oct 15 • 5:00 PM

La Quinta Brewing Co.

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Brews & Boos Candle Pouring Workshop

Sun, Oct 18 • 2:00 PM

La Quinta Brewing Co.

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The Amazing World of Bats Lecture

Sun, Oct 25 • 9:00 AM

Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center

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Boo Bash at The Shops!

Sat, Oct 31 • 5:00 PM

72840 CA-111

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NHCA Desert Cities - Networking Mixer

Friday • 5:30 PM

The Fix On El Paseo

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

Saturday • 3:00 PM

The Shops at Palm Desert

Check ticket price on event

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

Saturday • 8:00 AM

Vuori

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Strength Training for Beginners

Sunday • 8:00 AM

lululemon

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3rd Annual Bosoms and Brews Fest for Breast Cancer Awareness

Thu, Oct 15 • 5:00 PM

La Quinta Brewing Co.

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Brews & Boos Candle Pouring Workshop

Sun, Oct 18 • 2:00 PM

La Quinta Brewing Co.

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The Amazing World of Bats Lecture

Sun, Oct 25 • 9:00 AM

Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center

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Boo Bash at The Shops!

Sat, Oct 31 • 5:00 PM

72840 CA-111

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Online Events

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AI Animation Studio: Create Kids' Cartoons

Tomorrow • 6:00 PM EDT

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HBR Press Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thu, Oct 15 • 8:00 AM EDT

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HBR Book Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thu, Oct 15 • 1:00 PM GMT+1

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Coming Together for Multilingual Children with DLD

Thu, Oct 22 • 6:00 PM GMT+2

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(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Tue, Oct 27 • 11:30 AM EDT

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

Thu, Nov 5 • 1:00 PM GMT

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The MI5 Archive: Official Secrets

Fri, Nov 27 • 2:00 PM GMT

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Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

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AI Animation Studio: Create Kids' Cartoons

Tomorrow • 6:00 PM EDT

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HBR Press Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thu, Oct 15 • 8:00 AM EDT

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HBR Book Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thu, Oct 15 • 1:00 PM GMT+1

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Coming Together for Multilingual Children with DLD

Thu, Oct 22 • 6:00 PM GMT+2

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(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Tue, Oct 27 • 11:30 AM EDT

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

Thu, Nov 5 • 1:00 PM GMT

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The MI5 Archive: Official Secrets

Fri, Nov 27 • 2:00 PM GMT

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Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

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This Weekend

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Comedy Show at The Private Club

Friday • 9:00 PM

The Private Club Barbershop

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

Saturday • 3:00 PM

The Shops at Palm Desert

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Uninstructed Life Drawing

Sunday • 10:00 AM

Artists Center at the Galen

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Comedy Show at The Private Club

Friday • 9:00 PM

The Private Club Barbershop

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

Saturday • 3:00 PM

The Shops at Palm Desert

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Uninstructed Life Drawing

Sunday • 10:00 AM

Artists Center at the Galen

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Health & Wellness events

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

Saturday • 8:00 AM

Vuori

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The Art of Receiving

Thu, Nov 12 • 6:00 PM

IL Sogno

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Palm Desert Senior Expo

Tue, Mar 30 • 10:00 AM

Palm Desert Community Center

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

Saturday • 8:00 AM

Vuori

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The Art of Receiving

Thu, Nov 12 • 6:00 PM

IL Sogno

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Palm Desert Senior Expo

Tue, Mar 30 • 10:00 AM

Palm Desert Community Center

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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.