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June is in bloom — here are the hot happenings taking place this month in Palm Springs.
The desert is heating up, cacti blooms are abundant, and the smoketrees are showing off in vibrant violet and buzzing with bees. Traffic has thinned and neighborhoods are quieter. Yes, it’s that time of year: summer season has arrived in Palm Springs.
And while snowbirds have flown the nest to cooler climes, the desert still has much to offer visitors and locals alike, including an inaugural art and culture festival, fabulous deals on dining out, a long list of short films, and a glimpse into the future.
XOXO Palm Springs
Excitement is building over XOXO Palm Springs
June 11-22. XOXO Palm Springs, a Palm Springs Citywide Arts & Culture Celebration, is making its debut this year, featuring creatives in art, architecture, film, music, food, and wine. Let’s break it down:
Music lovers: There’s a Tina Turner tribute band, an all-women DJs series taking place at Lola Rose at The Thompson, and karaoke nights at V Wine Lounge and Ace Hotel (they are hosting a Vintage Vinyl Night as well). Check out these and more music listings here.
Film aficionados: An interactive screening of The Women, with a pre-show cocktail party and the promise of many surprises. See more movie legends in non-interactive screenings, including the 1976 version of A Star is Born with Barbra Streisand and Elizabeth Taylor in Father of the Bride.
All you foodies can get your fix at Palm Springs Equality Wine & Food Fest.
There’s drag brunches, art walks, staged readings, author events, theater, and disco burlesque shows. There’s even a mini Modernism Week with architecture tours.
Find the full list of events by category here and by date here.
Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week
Eight4Nine is a popular restaurant in Palm Springs. Photo courtesy of Visit Palm Springs
May 29-June 7. Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week is the perfect excuse to dine out. All those popular spots that have been booked all season and the Insta food photos you’ve been drooling over and dying to try are suddenly more accessible. Enjoy prix fixe menus and special offers at restaurants across the Coachella Valley. For that vintage Hollywood vibe, Copley’s offers romantic ambience in Cary Grant’s former guesthouse in downtown Palm Springs. Other popular spots include Bar Issi and Workshop Kitchen. Wine lovers will appreciate Zin American Bistro and Wildest Restaurant + Bar while seafood cravings can be quenched at Oceania. Hosted by Agua Caliente Casinos, each reservation made through the Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week website donates $1 to FIND Food Bank.
ShortFest 2026
A Short Fest panel discussion. Photo courtesy of the Palm Springs International Film Society
June 23-39. Cinephiles, rejoice! The Palm Springs International Short Film Festival is back, and the schedule is filled with hundreds of screenings from all around the world. Forums, round tables, and one-on-ones are also part of the weeklong event for those in the film industry, as well as those interested in becoming part of it. Passes are currently on sale. The full screening schedule is announced on June 2 and general admission ticket sales start on June 4t It’s the perfect event for staying cool and entertained in the desert heat.
PS/NExT Summit 26
Technology and creativity combine at PS/NExT
June 22-23. Another cool event on June’s agenda is PS/NExT (New Experiences in Technology) Summit, combining AI and tech developments with creativity, business, and education. Speakers include Rob Minkoff (co-director of The Lion King), Baratunde Thurston (Webby winner and Emmy-nominated host), Kelly Boesch (TED speaker and AI Artist), and Philip Su (AI engineer). Artist Spotlight talks are also on the agenda, featuring Glen Wexler and Christopher Cichocki delving into blending technology with the natural world. Having attended the inaugural event last year, not only were the innovations surprising, but also the connections and conversations it sparked. The day of fascinating discussions and intriguing possibilities left me, quite unexpectedly, feeling more empowered and human. Whether you love AI or hate it, are excited or terrified by the prospects, it’s an event worth attending.
Whatever you choose to do, be it feeding your body or your creativity, have a fabulous, fun-packed June!
