Festival season has arrived in Greater Palm Springs and this year may be the biggest and most exciting one yet! The Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival takes place over two weekends (April 10-12 and April 17-19), making this Southern California oasis a hot spot all month long. If you are looking for things to do outside of the festivals, where to find the best pool parties, or how to make the most of your time under the sun, keep reading! 

LOOK THE PART

If you’re still searching for the perfect festival outfit or want to add some new accessories, you have some great local options. Elizabeth & Prince has three locations (Palm Springs, Palm Desert and La Quinta), stocking women’s brands like Ulla Johnson, A.L.C. and Mara Hoffman, and the Palm Springs location also carries menswear. In downtown Palm Springs, shop a number of stores and small shops, including Free People, H&M, and Johnny Was.

Thick As Thieves in Palm Springs also carries festival-friendly clothing and accessories. For a variety of stylish finds under one roof, visit The Shops at Thirteen Forty Five, where you can browse vintage and contemporary fashion, unique jewelry, and statement accessories.

On El Paseo in Palm Desert, there are a number of great stores, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Anthropologie, and Trina Turk (there is a Palm Springs Trina Turk location as well). Check out El Paseo Shopping District to find more shops like Blonde, House of Lolo, Louis Vuitton and so many more. 

Since so many love to incorporate that vintage fashion into their festival look - here are a few shops you'll definitely want to check out if you are going for a specific look! Head to The Frippery in Palm Springs and The Fine Art of Design in Palm Desert. Discover something different and new at Mojave Flea Trading Post, where there are a number of different vendors selling all sorts of unique items. 

The Frippery

EXPLORE FOR A WHILE

Art is alive on every corner in Greater Palm Springs. Take a mural tour (virtual or in-person) and explore this arts oasis starting with this mural tour.

No trip to the area is complete without a little cactus hunting. Visit Moorten Botanical Garden in Palm Springs to see the world’s first “cactarium,” filled with rare specimens, or head to The Cactus Mart in Morongo Valley to pick out some plants to bring home. 

Take a break from the festival scene and explore the Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza in downtown Palm Springs. Learn about the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians at the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, where exhibits showcase their history, traditions, and connection to the land. 

RECHARGE

Relax and recharge from your festival experience at one of the many spas around Greater Palm Springs. The destination is known for its healing mineral waters and laid-back atmosphere, making it the perfect place to unwind between festival weekends.

For the ultimate rejuvenation, head to The Spa at Séc-he in downtown Palm Springs, where ancient hot mineral waters meet a modern, state-of-the-art wellness setting. Their Festival Rejuvenation package is ideal for a post-festival reset, with full access to spa amenities, the Taking of the Waters Experience, the Desert Turquoise Sage Massage, and a nourishing N8iV Medicine Wheel Facial with a 24k gold earseeding finish.

Over at Sunstone Spa at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage, a separate Festival Rejuvenation package offers a 120-minute wellness journey designed to restore body and mind. Guests can enjoy full spa access along with the Desert Turquoise Sage Massage, complete with a grounding foot scrub, CBD balm, and heated gemstones to melt away tension.

If you're looking for a serene escape, The Spa at Two Bunch Palms in Desert Hot Springs offers mineral-rich soaking tubs and holistic therapies designed for deep relaxation. For a modern wellness retreat, book a treatment at the Spa Rosa at Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa, where body treatments, massages, and facials help you reset after days of dancing. No matter where you choose, you’ll leave feeling refreshed and ready for more festival fun.

PARTY ON

If you’ll be here for Coachella, there’s no need to limit the music to just the festival grounds. Make the most of your trip by exploring other live shows and music events happening throughout the destination before and after the big weekend. From intimate performances to high-energy parties, there are plenty of ways to keep the rhythm going and discover even more sounds while you’re in town.

This April 12, 11, 18 and 19, Goldenvoice Surf Club returns! This daytime event blends live music with wave pool sessions and relaxed, resort-style energy at the Palm Springs Surf Club. Anchored by a curated lineup in the amphitheater, the event spans both Coachella weekends with performances from artists like Whethan, Subtronics, and Gordo. Whether you’re dancing between sets or unwinding poolside, it’s a vibrant way to keep the music going beyond the festival grounds.

CHELLA, a free community concert in downtown Indio, returns on April 15 with an evening of live music and local flavor. This year’s lineup features performances by Tropa Magica and Ambiente y Café, a vibrant Tropicoqueta experience curated by Mas Vida Market. Expect live DJ sets, a full band, a festive photo booth, cafecito, a local mercado, and a variety of food vendors.

The fun doesn't stop there. Make it a getaway to remember with our top things to do in Greater Palm Springs.