(Greater Palm Springs, CA) - December 1, 2015 - As fall edges into winter in Greater Palm Springs, you can rest assured there’s still plenty of sunshine to enjoy all the activities you love. The weather cools slightly making the great outdoors even more irresistible. Lounge poolside or sip a cocktail on a patio, people watching. With so much to do in the Oasis this winter, be sure to go beyond your hotel. Below are a few signature winter events.
Palm Springs International Film Festival | Jan. 1-11; Palm Springs
One of the largest film festivals in North America, the Palm Springs International Film Festival attracts more than 135,000 movie goers, who come to watch the new and celebrated international features and documentaries. The festival is also known for its annual Black Tie Awards Gala, honoring the year’s best achievements in film. Previous winners have included Ben Affleck, Cate Blanchett, George Clooney, Clint Eastwood and Kate Winslet.
www.psfilmfest.org
HITS Thermal Desert Circuit Horse Show | Jan. 19-Mar. 20; HITS Desert Horse Park, Thermal
Horse Shows In The Sun (HITS) Desert Circuit features eight weeks of USEF Premier-rated Hunters and 5*/6* Jumpers. Spanning nine weeks, the circuit draws thousands of equestrians to the premier Southern California show grounds.
www.hitsshows.com/coachella/hits-coachella-desert-circuit
CareerBuilder Challenge in Partnership with the Clinton Foundation, a PGA TOUR Tournament | Jan 18-24; La Quinta
Formerly known as both the Bob Hope Classic and the Humana Challenge, the newly named CareerBuilder Challenge is a four-day PGA tournament that pairs professional golfers with amateurs who compete to raise money for local charities. Since its introduction in 1960 as the Palm Springs Golf Classic, the tournament has generated more than $56 million for non-profit organizations in the Coachella Valley. Through its relationship with the Clinton Foundation, the CareerBuilder Challenge will promote a health-focused theme in 2016.
Tour de Palm Springs | Jan. 23; Downtown Palm Springs
Palm Springs' famous weather and gorgeous scenery set the backdrop for thousands of bike riders who cycle the Tour de Palm Springs to raise funds for local charities. In total, the Tour de Palm Springs has raised more than $3,000,000 for Coachella Valley charities since 1999.
www.tourdepalmsprings.com
Southwest Arts Festival | Jan. 29-31; Indio
Featuring traditional, contemporary and abstract fine works of art by more than 250 acclaimed artists, the Southwest Art Festival brings together art in the form of clay, drawings, glass, jewelry, metal works, painting, photography, sculpture and textiles. Sponsored by the Indio Chamber of Commerce, City of Indio and Indio Visitors Bureau, the festival is celebrating its 29th year.
www.discoverindio.com
Palm Springs Fine Art Fair | Feb. 11-14; Palm Springs
This three-day show is among the premier art events in the Southwestern United States. More than 60 galleries exhibit works from 300 artists representing paintings, sculpture, photography and other visual arts. Artists represented include Larry Bell, Tony DeLap, Andy Burgess, Chul Hyun Ahn, Fletcher Benton, Justin Bower and Max-Steven Grossman.
www.palmspringsfineartfair.com
Modernism Week | Feb. 11-21; Palm Springs
Modernism Week’s iconic February festival is an exciting 11-day celebration of midcentury modern design, architecture, art, fashion and culture. Events include the Modernism Show & Sale, tours of noted homes and neighborhoods, a world-class lecture and film series, tours of the historic Annenberg Estate at Sunnylands, vintage fashion, classic cars, garden tours, a vintage travel trailer exhibition, area tours and Modern Giants, which celebrates the area’s largest collection of midcentury modern commercial buildings at Eisenhower Medical Center.
www.modernismweek.com
Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival | Feb. 12-21; Riverside County Fair Grounds, Indio
Celebrating Indio’s famous crop—the date, the festival celebrates its 70th year in 2016. Events include a nightly musical pageant, headline entertainment, Monster Truck and BMX shows, camel and ostrich races, date and produce displays, arts and crafts, carnival rides and, of course, great fair food offerings—from deep-fried pickles to funnel cakes.
Cathedral City Hot Air Balloon Festival | Feb. 13-14; Cathedral City
One of Cathedral City’s signature events, the annual Hot Air Balloon Festival unfolds over Valentine’s Day week. Starring multi-story, vivid hot air balloons which line the city streets, the festival’s highlight is the evening Balloon Glow. Or choose to renew your wedding vows on Valentine’s Day with Balloon weddings. A rollicking Saturday night lineup includes a DJ dance party on Saturday and an outdoor screening of the Disney move Up.” Other events include the West Coast Artists' Art Show, a specialty car show, gourmet food trucks, tethered hot air balloon rides and live entertainment.
www.hotairballoonfest.com
Frank Sinatra Celebrity Invitational | Feb. 18-20; Fantasy Springs Casino
Honoring “100 Years of Sinatra,” the 28th annual Frank Sinatra Celebrity Classic is a celebrity-filled golf event with parties, live entertainment, a fashion show and a silent auction. Held at Eagle Falls Golf Course at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California, the event is being co-hosted by Barbara Sinatra and Joe Mantegna, star of the CBS hit drama Criminal Minds. On Sat., Feb 20, The 5th Dimension will croon the night away with their repertoire of R & B, light jazz and soul music for an evening not to miss.
www.franksinatracelebritygolf.org
