Any time of year is a great time to get away to the desert, but winter in Palm Springs is oh so delightful. Palm trees are decorated with twinkling lights, in the air there is a feeling of Christmas, stockings are stuffed with sunshine, and there are endless festive activities the whole family will enjoy – even the family Scrooge!
Take a look at just a few of the holly and jolly events and experiences taking place this winter in the Palm Springs area.
When: November 10 – December 31
Sunday – Thursday, 5:30 pm – 9 pm
Friday – Saturday, 5:30 pm – 10 pm
*Closed November 15 – 17, 2025
Ooh and aah from inside the comfort of your own vehicle, as you wind through Magic of Lights’ dazzling path. Enjoy classic holiday favorites like “Winter Wonderland,” “The 12 Days of Christmas,” “Toyland,” ‘Festive Elves,’ and “Reindeer Road.” In addition to the 200-foot-long Enchanting Tunnel of Lights, there will also be three other brand new tunnels that capture the magic of Christmas – the Blizzard Light Tunnel, the Snowflake Tunnel, and the Candy Cane Light Tunnel. There will also be a 32-foot-tall Holiday Barbie display, life-sized dinosaurs, and Bigfoot Monster Trucks. Created with over two million sparkling lights, Magic of Lights is a holiday spectacle the whole family will enjoy.
When: December 19 – December 22, 6 pm – 9 pm
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow! Enter a winter wonderland at the Palm Springs Air Museum, where you and your family can meet Santa and Frosty the Snowman, enjoy arts & crafts, sip on hot chocolate, play in 60 tons of real snow, and so much more! Children 3 and under are admitted free of charge.
When: November 22 – December 24, 11 am – 7 pm
Come have your photo taken with Santa at The Shops at Palm Desert! Families can stop by Main Court on Level One to capture holiday memories, with walk-ins welcome and reservations encouraged to avoid wait times. For more information about the schedule, visit their website.
When: November 15, 2025 – January 6, 2026
Oh, there’s no place like the desert for the holidays! Enjoy starlit street fairs with twinkling displays, special events, and festive entertainment. Sip hot chocolate or seasonal cocktails under the winter desert sky as you soak in the charm of Palm Springs. Make it even better by staying in cozy Palm Springs vacation rentals, where you can unwind after every celebration and explore the city at your own pace.
Select nights: November 25 – December 30, 6 pm – 9 pm
Advanced reservations required.
Come get wild this holiday at The Living Desert Zoo and enjoy this deLIGHTful event! Experience several new and reimagined light exhibits, like the new 30-foot-tall holiday tree and lighted animal-themed displays. But don’t fret, many of your festive favorites are returning, such as the Tunnel of Lights, s’mores station, holiday carousel, photos with Santa, the G-scale model trains, and much more! Don’t Miss Adults Only (21+) Night – December 18. Click here to learn more.
We have an amazing collection of Palm Deseart vacation rentals to suit all sizes and budgets, from golf course condos to Spanish-style villas with resort-like amenities. Stay and enjoy with us this holiday season!