Start the new year off right in Greater Palm Springs, where you can welcome 2026 with a rooftop toast, a morning hike through the desert, a restorative spa day, or a dinner worth remembering long after the celebration ends! Here’s a quick rundown of different ways to celebrate NYE in Greater Palm Springs.

View our New Years Eve Calendar of Events

New Year’s Dinner

For New Year's Eve dinner in Greater Palm Springs, many of the area’s restaurants will offer special multi-course menus, live music, and buzzing atmospheres.

This year, Purple Room Supper Club will offer a three-course dinner featuring a live jazz ensemble, perfect for a glitzy Sinatra-esque New Year's celebration. Holiday House will be offering a special only in Palm Springs experience dinner that is created by Chef Oleg Olexin. For a dinner that’s refined in trademark desert style, Vicky’s of Santa Fe in Indian Wells sets the bar high for a memorable evening: they’ll offer scheduled seatings with a multi-course menu, several chef specials, seasonal cocktails, and music in their lounge all night long.

Another great pick is Freddie’s Kitchen at The Cole, where you can enjoy a delicious NYE dinner made up of locally sourced dishes with a French-California twist. For a five-course Spanish-inspired New Year's Eve dinner stop by Villa Royale, a classic spot in Palm Springs. Their New Year’s Eve menu features seasonal specials and comes with a complimentary glass of champagne. Or, check out Lavender Bistro, known for its knock out patio and romantic vibes. They’ll also have their annual New Year's Eve menu that never fails to impress. If you’re in Indian Wells, you can’t go wrong with a classy dinner and dancing at The Nest, and if you’re in Palm Desert, Eddie V’s will be serving up it’s classic surf and turf all night.

For more prix fixe NYE menus in Greater Palm Springs, check out Copley's on Palm Canyon or 4 Saints at Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs!

NYE Entertainment and Nightlife

If you’re looking for a classy cocktail event or an all out dance party, Greater Palm Springs has no shortage of nightclubs and lounges to check out this New Year's Eve. One Eleven Bar hosts daily entertainment and is sure to deliver a sensational NYE showcase. You can also check out Reforma for a spacious dance floor and killer DJs that’ll keep the party going well into 2026!

For a high-energy and hilariously entertaining New Year’s Eve, check out The Ball Drop at Oscar's Palm Springs! Drag superstars Jackie Beat, Sherry Vine, Candis Cayne, and Billy L’Amour bring comedy, live singing, and dazzling performances. Expect laughter, glitter, and nonstop entertainment at this show-stopping New Year’s Eve event.

For a sparkling evening of music, cocktails, and celebration, head to Afterglow at the Palm Springs Surf Club. Start with a three-course dinner before enjoying live music from Lisa Lynn & The Broken Hallelujahs in the Main Ballroom and DJ Zephyr in the Atrium, then dance the night away with a champagne toast at midnight.

If you’re looking for a speakeasy vibe, Seymour’s serves classic cocktails under dim lighting, making it perfect if you’re trying to keep the night mellow. The bar is tucked away behind a velvet curtain at Mr. Lyons Steakhouse, so you can easily move between dinner and drinks. Keep an eye on calendars at other nearby clubs, Kitchen 86 in Palm Desert, as both are sure to roll out their own New Year’s Eve events.

For more ideas on where to celebrate, explore our guide to nightclubs and lounges, as most will be hosting their own unique events on New Year’s Eve. Also, stay tuned to our holiday events calendar for updates on the latest NYE happenings.

Family-Friendly New Year’s Activities 

In Palm Desert, the free event Celebrate CV on December 30 is set to feature live performances, games, face painting, and food trucks—designed so kids and adults can both join in on the fun! If you’re a hockey fan looking for something unique to do, head to Acrisure Arena on NYE to catch the Coachella Valley Firebirds take on the Bakersfield Condors. 

If you’ve got little ones in tow, consider booking a Greater Palm Springs hotel with a pool. Our mild winter weather means the water’s always inviting for a splash, and the kids are sure to be entertained. And for families hoping to ring in the new year with their pup, spending part of the day at Rancho Mirage Dog Park or exploring the Cross Loop in Palm Desert are excellent ways to enjoy those last hours of 2025 together.

Another family-friendly way to spend New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day in Palm Springs is with a visit to The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, a one-of-a-kind wildlife center. In addition to its year-round exhibits and animal encounters, the zoo hosts WildLights through December 30, a dazzling display of more than three million lights, complete with a s’mores station and adult beverages for guests 21 and over.

View our New Years Eve Calendar of Events

Casino Events to Ring in the New Year

This NYE, Agua Caliente Palm Springs brings the hype with their Outdoor Block Party and Fireworks Extravaganza featuring cocktails, live music, and a midnight countdown leading to a fireworks show under the stars. If you’re in the mood to dance, head to the “Get Down Tonight” event, hosted by KC and the Sunshine Band at Agua Caliente Casino Rancho Mirage. Ring in the New Year dancing to classic hits like “That’s The Way (I Like It)”!

Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino with free live music! At LIT, DJ Nano, DJ Slim Dee, and Shades of Blue keep the energy high through the early hours, while Twelve features DJ Manny and Steel Rod & Friends for a mix of beats and live performances. 

New Year's Health & Wellness Activities

Start 2026 on the right note with a sunrise hike surrounded by desert scenery. The Coachella Valley’s mellow winter makes it a perfect time to hit the trails—just remember to bring water, dress in layers, and head out early if you’re chasing sunrise views! Choose from one of the region’s many forest preserves or desert trails. Some great New Year’s options include Tahquitz Canyon, Murray Canyon, the Bump and Grind Loop, or the Indio Hills Trail. Afterward, reward yourself with brunch at a nearby café or patio. A fresh-air experience followed by tasty food is sure to set a positive tone for 2026! Get inspired by reading our guide to al fresco dining.

Ease into 2026 with a soothing full-body Conscious Flow at Power Yoga Palm Springs, where a slow, grounding midnight flow paired with live guitar creates a space to release the past year, reset your nervous system, and welcome the new one with clarity, presence, and intention.

Pro Tip: Check out our list of The 10 Most Beautiful Hikes in Greater Palm Springs to get more ideas on where you can hike on New Year's Day.

Plan Your NYE in Greater Palm Springs

However you choose to celebrate the New Year, let Greater Palm Springs set the tone for 2026 in true desert style! Start planning early and explore our hotel listings, event guides, and planning resources to make your New Year’s getaway unforgettable.