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While most of the world is battening down the hatches for their first winter storm, Palm Springs is getting ready to hit a low of 50 with sunny skies. That’s the trade off for the extra special warm summers we get here. And it’s worth it because after it’s over, we get to see all of you!
The Plaza Theatre opens on Dec. 1 with the one and only Cynthia Erivo headlining. Some tickets are still available, and if Cynthia isn’t enough to get you out of the house, Lily Tomlin is there from the second through the fourth. I’ll tell you more about the theatre in another post.
Daytime fun
Desert Tasty Tours — Three-hour food tour on Palm Canyon Drive, chowing down at five Palm Springs restaurants with a little art and a little history thrown in. Go hungry. There’s a lot of delicious food.
Drag & Fly Tours — Combines fact-based storytelling with the colorful and hilarious art of drag. One of the most unique buses and ideas in Palm Springs, with soon-to-be your favorite drag queens.
If you’re into axe throwing, keep your eyes open (all the time, you’re throwing an axe!!) for the Palm Canyon Axe Club.
Nighttime fun
Dec. 20: A Very Sinatra Christmas Special. Evening holiday concert at Palm Springs Surf Club presented by Concerts Under the Stars and Fever. Sinatra-style vocalist with a Christmas set list; around 65-minute show with seating zones and a one-drink minimum.
Dec. 12: Palm Springs Christmas. Mid‑century, Old Hollywood‑style dinner show with live band; includes four‑course dinner and fully hosted bar.
Dec. 14: Yuletide. Classic Christmas feast with sing‑along holiday tunes, multi‑course dinner, and open bar in an intimate setting.
Dec. 21: HO – A Hilarious and Twisted Holiday Brunch. Adults‑only brunch show skewering holiday music and stories; ticket includes brunch and hosted bar.
Dec. 1: Premium Bourbon Tasting. Guided tasting of premium bourbons with small bites in the classic mid‑century supper club setting.
Dec. 5: Broadway Barbara Holiday Spectacular. Over‑the‑top holiday cabaret from Broadway Barbara — big vocals, wild patter, and full camp.
Dec. 7, 14, 21, 28: Judy’s Old‑Fashioned Christmas! Michael Holmes’ Judy Garland–style TV special tribute with impersonations, band, and dinner‑and‑show format.
Dec. 12–13: Andrea McArdle: Christmastime Is Here! Original Annie star Andrea McArdle in an intimate holiday cabaret of seasonal songs and Broadway favorites.
Dec. 19–20: Branden & James with Effie Passero. Cello‑vocal duo with powerhouse guest vocalist Effie Passero performing holiday standards and pop/theatre hits.
Dec. 6: Broadway’s Best… in the West starring Paulo Szot. Tony‑winning baritone Paulo Szot performs Broadway and holiday selections in the iconic Camelot Theatre space.
Dec. 10–17: Skippy & Bitsy’s All-Star Christmas TV Extravaganza. Retro 1960s‑style variety show with a sci‑fi twist; you’re the studio audience for their Christmas special.
Dec. 18: Holiday Oddities 4! Deserted Films program of strange vintage holiday clips and film oddities with live commentary.
Dec. 11–20: Plaid Tidings. The critically acclaimed and utterly delightful holiday sequel to the international sensation Forever Plaid. Not just another Christmas show; it is a heartfelt, hilarious, and harmonically flawless journey.
Dec. 12: A Charlie Brown Christmas with Michael Orland. Live performance of the Peanuts holiday classic with music director Michael Orland.
Dec. 21: Nic & Desi’s Holiday Special. Broadway duo Nic and Desi in a song‑and‑dance holiday revue.
Dec. 22: LT Cousineau’s Songs From My Holiday Closet. Original cabaret show exploring holiday memories, identity, and chosen family.
Cascade Lounge at Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs
Dec. 4: Greg Adams & East Bay Soul: Sweet Soul Christmas. Horn‑driven soul band doing a high‑energy holiday set in an intimate casino lounge venue.
Dec. 5: 1970! Time Capsule – Music Variety Show. A live throwback showcase of hits, costumes, and pop culture moments from the 1970s. Tickets from $22.11.
Dec. 11: The Duck Soup Trio’s Charlie Brown Christmas. Jazz trio reimagining the Vince Guaraldi Charlie Brown Christmas score.
Dec. 17: Jews Do the Blues. Hanukkah‑season blues/jazz show with Deanna Bogart and Rabbi David Lazar.
Dec. 18: Borscht Belt Hanukkah. Catskills‑style comedy, storytelling and jazz celebrating Hanukkah.
Dec. 19: James Adomian Comedy Show. Holiday-weekend comedy set from James Adomian — sharp impressions, political satire, and absurdist humor.
Dec. 14: Gennie Jackson — A Christmas Show. Holiday vocal set from Gennie Jackson at the Arenas Road mainstay.
Bitchiest Brunch every Saturday and Sunday. Dragachella every Friday.
Dec. 21: Sunday T-Dance. Outdoor classic T dance with DJs and cocktails — a Palm Springs queer Sunday institution.
Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve – The Ball Drop. Oscar’s NYE party with drag, dancing, and countdown in downtown Palm Springs.
Dec. 1: Papi Night. Weekly drag-party night with a Latin energy twist — music, performance, and a full dance-floor. 10 p.m.
Dec. 11: Amy Armstrong – The Diva Who Stole Christmas. Christmas-themed cabaret show by Amy Armstrong, mixing holiday hits with drag flair and camp. 7 p.m.
Dec. 14: Holiday Evening with Rebecca Clark. Vocalist Rebecca Clark in a holiday cabaret set at the vintage‑inspired wine lounge.
Dec. 19–22: Snowtopia. Family winter wonderland with 60 tons of real snow, Santa visits, crafts, and treats among the aircraft.
Dec. 6: Breakfast with Santa. Up‑the‑mountain breakfast with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, plus crafts and stories; tram fare included with ticket.
Dec. 7: Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. Lighting of the 45‑foot tramway tree with choir and string performances.
Downtown and City Events
Every Thursday in December: Palm Springs Holiday Market at VillageFest. Holiday‑themed VillageFest with artisan vendors, gifts, music and visits from Mrs. Claus and Santa.
Dec. 4: Cookies with Mrs. Santa at VillageFest Marketplace. Kids’ crafts, cookies, and photos with Mrs. Claus during VillageFest downtown.
Dec. 5: City Tree Lighting – It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year. Frances Stevens Park tree lighting with carols, crafts, awards, and cocoa.
Dec. 6: Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade. Signature nighttime parade along Palm Canyon Drive with floats, bands, and giant balloons.
Dec. 7: Snapshots with Santa – Downtown Park. Drop‑in family photos with Santa at Palm Springs Downtown Park.
Dec. 10: Desert Winds Concert Band Holiday Performance. Free outdoor holiday concert in front of Starbucks on Tahquitz Canyon Way.
Dec. 11: Walk of the Inns. Self‑guided evening tour of historic boutique hotels and inns decorated for the holidays.
Dec. 19: Snowtopia Opening Night. First night of the Air Museum’s Snowtopia Winter Wonderland event (runs through Dec. 22).
Dec. 20: Breakfast with Santa & Mrs. Claus – Leisure Center & Pavilion. City‑hosted family breakfast with crafts, gingerbread houses and Santa photos.
Please shop and stay local, we’ve got some great small hotels you will absolutely adore, and if you’re a vintage girly, check out Bazar on Tahquitz next to The RetroRoom Lounge (karaoke!). Bazar has zero marketing or internet presence; that means they pass that savings on to you with great prices and a fun atmosphere!
