Palm Desert Golf Cart Parade - [JAN]
El Paseo Drive; 760-346-6111;
Festival Website;
Once a year, over 100 brightly decorated golf carts veer off-course and cruise
Palm Desert's El Paseo Drive. The Golf Carts can be upto 14 feet high and 30 feet long
and compete in several trophy categories. Entertainment includes marching bands,
live music, funzone, pony rides and rock-climbing wall.
Riverside County Fair [FEB]
National Date Festival
Riverside County Fairgrounds;
Festival Website;
Oldest and best attended festival in Riverside County since 1946.
Entertainment headliners pack the Aladdin Concert Pavilion.
The Presidents’ Day Grand Parade entertains fairgoers, with more than 230 entrants marching the streets of Indio; and a record 8,382 exhibits.
The Queen Scheherazade Scholarship Pageant is at the heart of this world renowned Festival, which also serves as the County Fair.
Experience the excitement of thoroughbred, quarter horse and harness racing at the Shalimar Sports Center.
Candy Cane Lane - Christmas Lights
Minerva Road, Cathedral City;
The neighborhood of Minerva Road draws thousands of visitors to their annual Christmas time light event every December since the first event held in 1987.
Since 1987 local homeowners heavily decorate their properties in colorful holiday decor. The street is renamed Candy Cane Lane during this time.
Stagecoach Festival [FEB]
Empire Polo Field;
Festival Website;
California's largest country music and arts festival featuring major entertainers and western art exhibits.
Bob Hope Chrysler Classic [JAN]
Palm Springs Celebrity Golf Tournament
3rd Week of January; Tournament Website;
Since its inception in 1960 this five-day celebrity tournament has become one of the biggest events in Palm Springs.
Play for the field of 128 professionals and 384 amateurs begins at 8:30 a.m. at all four tournament courses.
Desert Concours [JAN]
Festival Website;
The inaugural 2008 Desert Classic Concours d'Elegance, held on the lush grounds and manicured fairways of the exclusive O'Donnell Golf Club in the heart of Palm Springs,
continues the tradition that Palm Springs has long held with exotic automobiles, including the first road race in Southern California in 1950.
Considered the Golden Era of road racing, these were unparalleled social events, with racers and spectators enjoying the nightlife offered by the legendary clubs and hotels of Palm Springs.
More than 100 rare and exotic racing cars including Packards, Aston Martins, Cords and Duesenbergs will be on display.
Festival of Native Film and Culture
Agua Caliente Cultural Museum;
Museum Website;
This indigenous film festival is a highly respected presentation and celebration of Native American Culture.
Palm Springs International Film Festival [JAN]
800-898-7256; Festival Website;
This prestigous annual desert winter event since 1984 has attracted of the best known people of Hollywood.
Crossroads Palm Springs Old World Renaissance Festival [MAR]
Frances Stevens Park, Palm Springs;
Since inception in 1985 Crossroads has become California's Premier Nighttime Renaissance Festival.
Step into a 1450-1600 European Village where villagers celebrate the arrival of Spring, The merchants setup their shops to sell their wares, the entertainers gather to perform for noble and peasant alike.
Four performance areas. A full day’s entertainment including: Magic Shows, Juggling, Storytelling, Stage Plays, Interactive Theater, and music. Hundreds of costumed street performers and open interactive encampments.
Tour de Palm Springs [FEB]
Over 8000 athletes will compete on behalf of some 75 charities on several bicycle race courses ranging from 5 to 100 miles.
The event was started in 1998 to promote having fun while pedaling a bicycle far enough to amaze friends and co-workers while at the same time, volunteering for a good cause.
One of the largest charity events in California, this two day festival includes bike expo, dinner, music, entertainment and raffle prizes.