Reporting by Niki Kottmann and Ema Sasic, Palm Springs Desert Sun
This calendar could have been over 50 events deep, and you know what that means: event season is back, desert dwellers.
From the return of Greater Palm Springs Pride to the kickoff of two new sporting events in the desert (the inaugural Coachella Valley Lakers G League basketball season and the WTA Finals, being held for the first time ever in Indian Wells), this week is bursting with events in the Coachella Valley, so plan ahead and don’t forget to give yourself some extra time to navigate around event traffic this week.
Want to get in on the action? Here’s the 15 events we recommend checking out the week of Monday, Nov. 2, in the Coachella Valley.
Top events in the Coachella Valley this week
Backstreet Art District’s First Wednesday Art Walk
Palm Springs Backstreet Art District invites the public to come and enjoy an evening of fine art, live entertainment, food offerings and beverages while strolling through several unique galleries and art studios.
Support the Coachella Valley art community while viewing the latest works by talented creatives. Come see why Backstreet Art District was voted a “Best of Coachella Valley, 2023.”
When: 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4
Where: Backstreet Art District, Corner of South Cherokee Way and Matthew Drive (behind Estate Sale) in Palm Springs
Cost: Free admission
More info: backstreetartdistrict.com
Día de los Muertos at Sunnylands Center & Gardens
Sunnylands Center & Gardens in Rancho Mirage is yet again planning a special celebration for Día de los Muertos. Beginning Nov. 4, the gardens will be decorated with colorful papel picado (decorative cut paper), nichos (shadow boxes) and ofrendas (altars).
Then, from Friday through Sunday, the space will have arts and crafts stations available for people to decorate candle piñatas, along with a free screening of the animated film “Coco” on Friday and Day of the Dead-themed performances from Art Flying Aerial on Sunday.
When: Nov. 4-8 (times vary, see website below for full schedule)
Where: Sunnylands Center & Gardens, 37-977 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage
Cost: Free admission
More info: sunnylands.org/event/
8th Yucca Valley Film Festival
The 8th annual Yucca Valley Film Festival has a family-friendly lineup for desert cinephiles looking to log more films on their Letterboxd accounts. This year, the Joshua Tree Film Office is partnering with the Yucca Valley Film Festival to extend the festival from three days to five, adding two special screening events on Nov. 4 and 5 at the local, multiscreen Paradigm Cinemas movie theater.
Other screenings, which are free and open to the public, will take place at the Yucca Valley Community Center. The lineup includes a variety of documentaries, short films, music videos and more.
When: Nov. 4-8
Where: Paradigm Cinemas, 56-401 Twentynine Palms Highway, Yucca Valley; Yucca Valley Community Center, 57-090 Twentynine Palms Highway, Yucca Valley
Cost: Free
More info: yuccavalleyfilmfestival.com
Coachella Valley Firebirds Game
The season is heating up for the Coachella Valley Firebirds hockey team. This month, the team will face the San Jose Barracuda (Nov. 12), Abbotsford Canucks (Nov. 15), Bakersfield Condors (Nov. 27) and the Henderson Silver Knights (Nov. 28), but it all kicks off this week with a game against the Colorado Eagles.
When: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4
Where: Acrisure Arena, 75-702 Varner Road, Palm Desert
Cost: From $34
More info: acrisurearena.com/events
Palm Springs Pride
Time to get your pride on. The annual Palm Springs Pride returns with a stacked entertainment lineup, plenty of events and a lively parade that you won’t want to miss. The weekend will feature plenty of music on Arenas and Amado stages, including headliners The Cowgays (Nov. 7) and Aubrey O’Day (Nov. 8).
The pride parade begins at 10 a.m. Sunday, starting in the Uptown Design District at Tachevah and Palm Canyon drives and continuing south through downtown. If you really want to get the festivities started early, head to the Arenas District Walkabout block party on Nov. 5 to grab some drinks, meet new friends and celebrate the fun weekend ahead.
When: Nov. 6-8 (see website below for full schedule)
Where: Downtown Palm Springs and Arenas District, Palm Springs
Cost: Free admission to most events, including the concerts, block parties and parade (but some pride events are ticketed, so see full like at website below)
More info: pspride.org
Coachella Valley History Museum’s 14th annual Día De Los Muertos Dinner Celebration & Fundraiser
Start your weekend off on a celebratory note at the Coachella Valley History Museum for its 14th annual Día De Los Muertos Dinner Celebration & Fundraiser.
This tradition celebrates ancestors and loved ones through an evening of remembrance, community and culture, all while offering guests an inside look at the museum’s many exhibits and outdoor spaces. The night will include a festive dinner, tequila tasting, traditional costume contest, ofrendas, face painting, mariachis and more.
When: 5:30-10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6
Where: Coachella Valley History Museum, 82-616 Miles Ave., Indio
Cost: $170 general admission, $160 museum member, $1500 table (10 seats included)
More info: cvhm.org/day-of-the-dead
Coachella Valley Lakers Season Opener
The inaugural season of the Coachella Valley Lakers is set to tip off this week. The team, led by first-year coach Alex Cerda, will take on the Salt Lake City Stars in an exciting home opener matchup Friday. Later this month, the team will face the San Diego Clippers (Nov. 9 and 10), the Stockton Kings (Nov. 19 and 20) and the Rip City Remix (Nov. 29).
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6
Where: Acrisure Arena, 75-702 Varner Road, Palm Desert
Cost: Starting at $34
More info: acrisurearena.com/events
Kewet: Native American Learning Day & Market
The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians will host KEWET: Native American Learning Day and Market again this year, and the 2026 iteration will offer visitors an opportunity to explore Indigenous cultures, traditions and history.
Kewet means “fiesta” in the Cahuilla language, according to a press release, and this fiesta will feature bird singers and dancers, demonstrations of traditional crafts, cultural activities and a Native American market.
When: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7
Where: Palm Springs High School, 2401 E. Baristo Road, Palm Springs
Cost: Free admission
More info: pshs.psusd.us
Flagging in the Desert
If you’ve never tried flagging before, this could be your invite in. Head to Wellness Park in Palm Springs for a morning full of sunshine and activity. A free introductory class on the art of flagging will take place at 10 a.m. (loaner flags available for newcomers), with more fun from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. taking place with two DJs from San Francisco. Bring a picnic lunch and relax in the shade while taking in the sights and sounds of colorful flags in motion.
When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7
Where: Wellness Park, corner of Via Miraleste and Tachevah Road, Palm Springs
Cost: Free, donations welcome to benefit the Transgender Health & Wellness Center
More info: flagginginthedesert.com
14th annual Joshua Tree National Park Art Expo
The Joshua Tree National Park Art Expo returns for its 14th year this November. Across the two-day event, the exhibition will feature 60 artists from the desert region and throughout California who will show artwork inspired by Joshua Tree National Park. Awards totaling $4,000 will be presented at the reception for artwork in 2D, 3D and Photography categories, plus a Best of Show. The opening weekend celebration will also feature artist booths, art activities, music, food and beverage. The show will remain on display Nov. 6 through 29 at the gallery.
When: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8
Where: 29 Palms Art Gallery, 74-055 Cottonwood Drive, Twentynine Palms
Cost: Free admission
More info: jtnparts.org
Art Flying Aerial presents its Día de los Muertos Aerial Showcase
Celebrate Día de los Muertos with aerial performances, an art exhibition, and a local vendor market at Art Flying Aerial’s Palm Desert studio. There will be two shows (1 and 5 p.m.) on Saturday, and each have a max capacity of 60 people, so get your tickets early. Both shows also feature a special live performance by Flores Ballet Folclórico. Note: No alcohol on site.
When: Vendor market & art exhibition 12:30–7 p.m.; aerial shows at 1 p.m. (doors open at 12:45 p.m.) and 5 p.m. (doors open at 4:45 p.m.) Saturday, Nov. 7
Where: Art Flying Aerial, 77750 Country Club Dr Unit D, Palm Desert
Cost: $35–$50 (VIP front row available at both shows)
More info: bit.ly/aerialdiadelosmuertos or 310-863-1231
Run With Los Muertos
Run with Los Muertos is all about celebrating health, wellness, art, music and culture. This free Old Town Coachella event will include a procession, art walk, car show, 5K run, vendor village and plenty of live entertainment fit for the whole family to enjoy.
The car show kicks off festivities at 4 p.m. before the official 5K race starts at 6 p.m. Note: The event is free to attend, but if you’d like to run, the registration fee is $52.76.
When: 4 p.m. Saturday. Nov. 7
Where: Old Town Coachella, 1515 6th St., Coachella
Cost: Free to attend, $52.76 to register for the 5K
More info: runwithlosmuertos.com
Palm Springs Opera Guild Season Opener: Opera Under the Stars
What organizers are describing as Palm Springs Opera Guild’s “most exciting season” in its 59-year history will open with Opera Under the Stars at the Rancho Mirage Amphitheater this week. The concert with the Coachella Valley Symphony, which includes six soloists and a full orchestra, features highlights from Johann Strauss II’s operetta “Die Fledermaus.” The Opera Guild described the show as a “dazzling comedy of mistaken identities, playful revenge, secret disguises, and romantic mischief,” which “unfolds as friends and lovers become entangled during an unforgettable evening at a glamorous Viennese ball.”
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7
Where: 71-560 San Jacinto Drive, Rancho Mirage
Cost: $30
More info: palmspringsoperaguild.org
Desert Age: A Rock and Roll Scene History 10th Anniversary Screening
Celebrate a decade of “Desert Age: A Rock and Roll Scene History” at this special 10th anniversary screening of the film followed by a Q&A. Guests include Director Jason Georgiades, Mario Lalli (Fatso Jetson, Yawning Man), Brant Bjork (Kyuss, Brant Bjork Trio), Nick Oliveri (Queens of the Stone Age/Dwarves) Sophia Possidon (photographer, writer), Sean Wheeler (Throw Rag) and Myke Bates (Target 13).
Come hang out, watch the film on the big screen, and hear behind-the-scenes stories straight from the musicians.
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7
Where: Festival Theaters, 789 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs
Cost: $28.52
More info: festivaltheaters.com/movie/
FAGE WTA Finals Indian Wells
This year, for the first time, the WTA Finals will be held at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Tickets are on sale now, and the stacked lineup was recently announced: Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, Mirra Andreeva of Russia, Americans Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff, Elina Svitolina of Ukraine, and Karolina Muchova and Linda Noskova of of Czechia. The event also includes the top eight women’s doubles teams in competition, though that field had not been finalized at the time of this story.
When: Nov. 8-15 (see full schedule at website below)
Where: Indian Wells Tennis Garden, 78-200 Miles Ave., Indian Wells
Cost: Varies (visit website below for ticket options)
More info: wtatennis.com/tournaments/wta-finals
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun.
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