With over 300 days of sunshine, average winter temperatures hovering in the 70s and plenty of unique events, Greater Palm Springs is the perfect escape this winter. 

Experience WildLights

Wildlights at The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens

WildLights at The Living Desert is celebrating its 31st year of holiday magic. Visitors are welcomed into a winter wonderland complete with millions of twinkling lights, luminescent animals and the tunnel of lights. Chats with animal keepers and nightly entertainment round out the offerings for guests. The highlight of any visit is the G-scale model train that runs over 3,300 feet of track.

Pro Tip: To experience all The Living Desert has to offer, plan on arriving mid-afternoon to see the animals, feed a giraffe and ride the endangered species carousel and stay for the lights! WildLights runs select nights until December 30th. 

Check out more holiday happenings this winter such as Winterfest, here.

Explore Outdoor Adventure 

Couple walking on hiking path with palm trees

Greater Palm Springs is a destination known for more than 300 days on sunshine and blue skies. During the winter season, this Southern California oasis experiences weather averaging in the 70's and 80's, which makes for the perfect time to hit one of the over 100 hiking trails! Grab your water, put on the sunscreen and reach new heights. From the beautiful Indian Canyons, where you can sometimes discover a waterfall, to the The Cross Loop, an amazing place to watch the sunrise or set, there is something for all! Don't pass up the opportunity to try other outdoor adventures, such as a Red Jeep Tour through the San Andreas Fault. There are always outdoor adventures to discover in Greater Palm Springs! 

Enjoy Holiday Magic When You Stay

photo of a 1940s red car in front of a lit Christmas tree at The La Quinta Resort

The magic awaits at resorts and hotels in Greater Palm Springs this winter. From the decorated and magically lit La Quinta Resort & Spa, where you can find yourself soaking up the winter under the sun in one of their 41 pools, to the family-friendly Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa, where you can either play in the water or dine at one of the on-site restaurants. See all the places to stay winter in Greater Palm Springs – check in, chill out and soak up the sun. 

Save the Date for these Winter Events 

IndioTamaleFestival22_26

Jump into the upcoming holiday season and save the date for these signature events this winter in Greater Palm Springs.

Magic of Lights

Magic of Lights is a dazzling drive-through holiday experience for everyone to enjoy this holiday season. Take the entire family to see your favorite holiday scenes and characters with one carload, one price. 

Indian Wells Winterfest

Discover the delight of holidays under the beautiful blue skies and swaying palm trees, all decked out with dazzling lights and festive décor. Indian Wells Winterfest offers a season of activities from December 2, 2023 - January 4, 2024.

Indio International Tamale Festival

Featuring live music, shopping, entertainment, and of course hundreds of tamales to choose from, The International Tamale Festival is a world-famous festival is loved by countless every year. Experience this festival that kicks off the holiday season bringing the entire community together for a weekend of feasting!

Palm Springs International Film Festival 

This January, the Palm Springs International Film Festival will, once again, welcome celebrities, filmmakers and movie enthusiasts to nearly two weeks of screenings, discussions and parties. The Film Festival will also be hosting the Awards Gala, bringing in an incredible crowd of celebrities and icons to this Hollywood style event which is known to raise over $1 million dollars annually. The Palm Springs International Film Festival is one of the largest in North America and welcomes over 100,000 attendees each year to screen more than 180 films.  

Modernism Week

This February, Modernist will flock to this Southern California oasis for Modernism Week, a 10-day event highlighting the midcentury modern architecture and design of the desert.  Attendees will enjoy walking tours of historically significant neighborhoods, double-decker bus tours and even an opportunity to step inside unique homes designed by legendary modernists. 

Fly into Palm Springs International Airport

Palm Springs International Airport (PSP)

Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) has been expanding the horizons for all travelers, making flights more accessible to and from Greater Palm Springs. PSP now has 12 airlines offering nonstop flights to more than 30 destinations, making it possible to connect to over 500 cities worldwide. PSP is named as one of the top 10 'Most Stress Free Airports,' offering an open air environment, with dining options and beautifully landscaped areas, so you can soak up every last bit of the sunshine. Start planning your winter getaway and book your flight today – you are getting warmer! 

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Holiday Events

It’s never too soon to start thinking about your holiday plans this year—and nobody does winter chill like Greater Palm Springs. ’Tis the season for vintage shopping and endless golfing. Twinkling palm trees and sun-kissed winter skies.

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