Well, it’s officially holiday season in Palm Springs. “What?” you might say, pearls clutched gingerly in your perfectly manicured hand. “Holiday season is at the end of November.” Um…no it’s not. Not in Palm Springs. Halloween is the start of holiday season, and then there’s Pride, and then, my goodness, then there’s everything.

The weather is stun-ning — gorgeous mornings breaking into warmer afternoons, and cooling off again in the evenings. 10/10, no notes for the weather gods.

Ready? Come on, let’s dive in…

November Events Across Palm Springs

Nov. 2 — The Inaugural Scoop Palm Springs Ice Cream Festival: A festival at Downtown Park, featuring ice cream tasting, music, and activities, with proceeds benefiting the Palm Springs LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert’s Community Food Bank.

Nov. 6-9 — Greater Palm Springs Pride: A multi-day celebration of LGBTQ+ community, self-expression, and inclusion across Greater Palm Springs.

Nov. 6-9 — Sunset Music & Comedy Festival: A four-day mix of music and comedy aligned with Pride weekend, featuring artists, laughter, and nightlife in Palm Springs.

Nov. 13 (and every Thursday) -— Palm Springs VillageFest: The weekly Thursday night street fair in downtown Palm Springs, full of vendors, food, and entertainment.

Nov. 15 — Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC): A major combat-sports event at Acrisure Arena featuring a headline bare-knuckle title fight.

Nov. 16 — Alohana: A celebration of Tiki culture at Palm Springs Cultural Center.

Nov. 15-16 — Palm Springs Food & Wine Festival: A two-day gourmet event showcasing top chefs, gourmet cuisine and wine tastings at the Palm Springs Stadium Pavilion.

Nov. 20 — Transgender Day of Remembrance: Starts at 5 p.m.

Nov. 22 — Cybill Shephard, Queen of the Lucky Club: Palm Springs Cultural Center, 7 p.m.

Nov. 25-28 —  Acrisure Series: A four-day multi-team college basketball tournament at Acrisure Arena, featuring over 20 Division I men’s programs.

Nov. 29 —  What a Feeling!: A Palm Springs Cultural Center Fundraiser: All of the best performers in Palm Springs lend their talents to support this wonderful venue.

The Places to Go

Oscar’s — I don’t know if they’ve sorted everything out yet with the restaurant portion, but check out their calendar for some cool acts. There seems to be a club there now called Privado. Coolio.

V Wine Lounge and Martini Bar — The martinis are chilled, the wine the perfect temperature, the bar bites are delish, and the aesthetic is mid-mod retro. Not only that, they have entertainment four nights a week.

PS Underground — Nothing like it anywhere else. It’s a musical review with a theme, all of Palm Springs finest performers, and delicious food. Drinks are included in the price.

The Purple Room — One of the longest running nightclubs in Palm Springs with some fantastic local talent and some wonderful jazzy imports. Plus, you can’t not see The Judy Show. 

Palm Springs Cultural Center — Movies, plays, events, music, cabaret, drinks, and food. Check out their Best in the West series that begins in December, and Cocktails and Cabaret with local delight Francesca Amari fills the Wednesday happy hour slot (upstairs).

Toucans Tiki Lounge — Mostly drag, always fun. Here’s the schedule:

Nov. 1 — Dry Heat Party with DJ Harry Cross. A special Leather/PS Pride kickoff event.

Thursdays — SLAYHOUSE! High-energy drag showcase launching the weekend with top queens and guest hosts.

Fridays — Lips, Looks & Lashes. Friday night drag entertainment hosted by Jazmyn “The People’s Queen” Simone.

Saturdays — Kickxy Land! Signature Saturday drag show hosted by Kickxy Vixen, featuring live performances and dancing.

Sundays — Dreamgirls Drag Extravaganza. Legendary Sunday night show featuring celebrated drag performers in a full cabaret production.

The Theatre

Dezart Performs — First year in their own space, which just happens to be an Albert Frey designed church. Always thoughtful productions.

The Bent — LGBTQ-forward productions with some surprise guest stars.

Desert Ensemble Theatre — This is the 15th and final season for this terrific theatre company that found its footing at Palm Springs Cultural Center. Don’t miss a thing!

Revolution Theatre Company — When there aren’t plays there is cabaret.

Palm Canyon Theatre — Local theatre in the historical Frances Stevens building downtown at Alejo.

The Tours

Desert Tasty Tours — A three-hour light walking food tour with five delicious stops (sometimes there are six!) along the way. Let owner know of any allergies when you book.

Red Jeep Tours — Fault lines and mountains.

Big Wheel Tours — See above.

Palm Springs Historical Society Tours — They have so many different tours, you’ll have a hard time deciding which to take.

Drag and Fly Tours — Drag Queens on a tour bus. What more do you need to know?

Covered Wagon Tours — There seems to be BBQ at the end of the road too.

Now, a couple of shout outs. One to a little vintage store next to the Retro Lounge called Bazar. No website. Just the store. The owner is Peggy Sue, and she’s delightful! The prices won’t break the bank, and she’s got a great eye.

Also, Grand Central has closed, and in its place is Hunny’s. They formerly owned an eatery in another town where the name had to do with apples, and a girl named Annie. That restaurant was a family business for 40 years. Their loss is our gain; please give a warm welcome to Precious and Little Precious. 

The pot pies are to die for, and they’ve got HUGE plans for the space including a bakery – Precious’ specialty is apple pie and all sorts of baked delights. Also, they are planning on some second floor dining, and a speakeasy with a huge event space downstairs. You guys, the FOOD IS FANTASTIC.

Whew! There’s more, but we’ll talk about all that when you get here. What time will that be? XO, K