Mark your calendars! The La Quinta Art Celebration unravels in all its creative glory Feb. 26 through March 1 at La Quinta Civic Center Campus. The revered four-day event celebrates art, creativity, and community. Expect jury-selected world-class artists from across the country and globe presenting their innovative art. This year, La Quinta Art Celebration will support Tools For Tomorrow, a unique nonprofit that empowers children through the arts. Various programs include music, writing, theater, and visual arts, which assist students in building creativity, confidence, and teamwork.
Along with returning artists from the U.S., Canada, and Africa, the Spring Celebration will showcase 23 new artists. Artworks will span 11 media categories, including painting, collage, woodworking, glasswork, photography, and sculpture. Whatever your artistic favorites, you’ll find styles ranging from classical to whimsical throughout the four-day event. The La Quinta Art Celebration is presented by SCOPE Events, LLC, with premier sponsor, City of La Quinta.
SCHEDULE
The four-day festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 26–March 1, 2026, at La Quinta Civic Center, 78495 Calle Tampico, in La Quinta. Visit their website for detailed location information. The site also allows guests to submit inquiries should there be any questions. All the artists attending the event are featured on the site, so feel free to browse the artwork.
ARTIST HIGHLIGHTS
Look for guest artist Jeffro Uitto to turn heads. Uitto is revered for his handcrafted and truly expressive sculptures made from rescued driftwood from the Washington and Oregon coastlines. He sculpts imaginative wild animals, recreating their energy, motion, and anatomy and will be the first exhibit that visitors spot as they enter the park.
Hundreds of other artists are featured, encompassing a wide range of mediums, including ceramics, photography, jewelry, painting, sculpture, 2-D and 3-D, and so much more. Don't miss Isaac Anderson, who presents stunning 3-D mixed media, and Annie Flynn, an acclaimed painter with more than 25 years of experience; while she’s new to this fest, event organizers say she was selected because of her vibrant oil paintings, which capture the essence of the American lifestyle and the human spirit.
Note a few other standouts: Dianne Allison (glass works); Ash Beheshti (2-D & digital), Charles Sherman (Sculpture); Dirk Yuricich (photography); Haylee M. Shoop (drawings, pastels, prints); Jonah Ward (2D and Digital); Rosario Garcia (jewelry); Candiss Cole-Footitt (fiber); Crystal Lockwood (wood): and Steffen Plistermann (glass).
ENTERTAINMENT
La Quinta Civic Center comes to life over these four days so be sure to catch a few of the great musicians on the itinerary at either the Celebration Bistro or Amphitheater Stage. Check the venue’s website for specific set time, but take note of: Shaken Not Stirred, dubbed as “entertainment with a twist;” Plaid To The Bone, helmed by Colin Reid, an accomplished musician who plays multiple instruments and celebrates everybody’s favorite ’90s rock and alternative hits, such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Radiohead, and Foo Fighters; Alex Santana, a guitarist with a great sense of flamenco, jazz & blues; guitarist Jeff Bonds, a well-known musician and composer; the Art of Sax, SoCal’s favorite groove band; and multi-faceted songwriter Scott Carter.
FOOD
Come with an appetite. There’s plenty of great food to enjoy. There’s Celebration Bistro, located next to City Hall in the northeast corner of the festival. You can enjoy al fresco dining under a covered patio or umbrellas while live music plays. Taqueria El Arte is a “Mexican fresh grill” offering an “elevated” street tacos experience. Costa Rica Vintage Café is located by the main entrance. You can find a great cup of brewed Arabica coffee there, but be sure to check out the cold brews, aguas frescas, and the many artesian pastries on hand. For sweets, consider Gelato Granucci; located on Margarita Island, the venue is dedicated to the “art of gelato,” offering a selection of traditional and modern flavors. There are even more food options, so just peruse the area and see what stands out.
Take note: If you’re staying in the area, there are, of course, several top-notch dining options nearby. RD RNNR and Beautiful Day, for instance, are popular local spots. Stuft Pizza Bar & Grill is perfect for the entire family, offering everything from fine crafted sandwiches to pizza. These might be great options for an after-the-festival outing.
FIRST-TIMER TIPS
Plan on spending several days at the event to take it all in. If you go that route, you can create one day filled with more entertainment and dining activities and the next day geared to a spacious deeper dive into all the art on display. If you only have one day to experience the event, no worries. Once you find yourself actively in this creative experience, locate the food spots that you find most alluring and plan around that—explore the artists and circle back to the food and entertainment.
Take note: Many of the artists are happy to discuss their work. This is a creative bunch of people, after all, so feel free to ask questions and inquire about their process. Above all: You’re here to have fun. Expect to be impressed by the talent—from the artists to the musicians.
PARKING
Best bets for parking are at La Quinta Civic Center Campus. While you can most likely arrive and find a spot, online reservation services like ParkMe can ease any worries. Either way, there is available parking in and around the celebration, however, like most festivals, expect the crowds to be big. Plan accordingly.
WHERE TO STAY
There are several fine hotels near the celebration—perfect for travelers coming into the area and making a memorable extended stay out of it. Top picks include: La Quinta Resort & Club, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Embassy Suites La Quinta Hotel & Spa, and Indian Wells Resort Hotel.
If you're planning a holiday trip to Greater Palm Springs this season, check out our list of featured places to stay, as well as our local deals so you can save more on your next relaxing getaway.
