La Quinta Area Events

January 

The American Express (Formerly The Humana Challenge & Bob Hope Classic) 

TPC Stadium and Jack Nicklaus Tournament Courses at PGA WEST become new sites for the American Express, the annual PGA TOUR event in La Quinta, CA. Standout courses will join fabled La Quinta Country Club as sites for first event on the 2016 PGA TOUR West Coast Swing. 

Palm Springs International Film Festival 

Screenings of fabulous films punctuated with red carpet appearances by some of Hollywood’s most famous. 

HITS Thermal Desert Cities Horse Show 

The HITS Desert Circuit is an eight week hunter/jumper horse show running in January thru March. The Desert Circuit is a mainstay of West Coast completion for the past two decades. It culminates with the AIG $1 Million Grande Prix, the richest prize in American show jumping. 

Southwest Arts Festival 

This judged and juried art show takes place outdoors at the Empire Polo Club and includes refreshments and entertainment.   

The Town Square Art Affaire 

The event will feature numerous artists located in Cathedral City. Contemporary craftsmen present unique styles of individually handcrafted functional and decorative pottery, raku, turned wood vessels and gourd art.  

Sunday Polo - Empire Polo Club 

Polo games are open to the public from January - April. There are two games every Sunday and Friday night is "Polo Under The Lights" on the second Friday of each month.  

Tour de Palm Springs 

Tour de Palm Springs is a CVSPIN - sponsored event designed to raise money for nonprofit organizations in the Coachella Valley. Palm Springs' famous weather and gorgeous mountain scenery, make for a fundraising event like no other! 

Palm Desert Public Art Documentary Film Series 

First of four (Jan-April) free monthly programs featuring film and guest speakers. 

February 

Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival 

Famous for its more than 7,000 exhibits, Arabian Nights Pageants and popular camel and ostrich races. 

Desert Classic d'Elegance 

An annual celebration of beauty, art, design and engineering, this 2 day premier motorsports event culminates with the prestigious Concours d’Elegance. 

Tour de Palm Springs 

Enjoy the sunshine, live music, food and fun with thousands of bike riders for a charitable cause. 

Modernism Week 

Annual celebration of mid-century modern design, architecture, art, fashion and culture. This exciting "festival" takes place in February in the Palm Springs area. 

Art in the Park  

A one day show in Down Town Palm Springs, will feature numerous artists presenting their original work in all mediums of two and three dimensional fine art. Each artist will be present to meet with the public and discuss work.   

Cathedral City Hot Air Balloon & Fine Arts Festival   

The event will be held in Cathedral City Town Square, with activities from early morning till late at night. 

The Frank Sinatra Celebrity Invitational  

A rich history as one of the marquee golf and fundraising events in the Coachella Valley.    

March 

BNP Paribas Open Tennis Tournament 

More than 250 of the world’s top men’s and women’s tennis stars come to the nearby Indian Wells Tennis Garden for two weeks of major competition. 

ANA Inspiration 

The ANA Inspiration (formerly known most recently as the Kraft Nabisco Championship) is one of the five major championships of professional women's golf. An event of the LPGA Tour, it is held yearly at the Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California.  

Fashion Week El Paseo 

Fashion Week showcases the newest collections by top deisgners as well as fresh ideas by emerging designers. Produced by Palm Springs Life, it has become one of the Coachella Valley's most popular events in Palm Desert.   

La Quinta Arts Festival 

For a vibrant and interactive art experience, attend the nationally renowned La Quinta Arts Festival in the Coachella Valley at the La Quinta Civic Center. 

April 

International Salsa Festival 

Two days of hot salsa in Indio’s Old Town! Salsa dancing and tasting competitions plus a farmer’s market and fun for the entire family. 

Food+Wine Festival Palm Desert 

Foodies and wine enthusiasts will converge on Food+Wine Festival in Palm Desert, with a four-course gourmet kitchen luncheon created by James Beard Award--winning and nominated chefs accompanied by premium wine pairings.  

Stagecoach Country Music Festival 

Top country musical talent is showcased along with art exhibits, vendors and food, for three days of down-home fun at the Empire Polo Grounds. 

June 

Palm Springs Restaurant Week  

A 10-day celebration of local cuisine held in the beginning of June. Featuring dozens of the area's finest dining establishments, each offering a special three-course menu.  

October 

Golf Cart Parade 

A Palm Desert tradition that transforms El Paseo into a street lined with residents and visitors watching marching bands and colorful themed floats. 

Modernism Week "Fall Preview"  

In addition to the events in February, Modernism Week hosts the "Fall Preview" over Columbus Day weekend in mid-October. Partner organizations collaborate to produce a "mini-Modernism Week" to kick-off the active social and recreational season in Palm Springs.  

Art Under the Umbrellas – October thru March 

Art Under the Umbrellas shows are one day events located in Old Town La Quinta from 10am to 4pm on designated Saturdays. Put on by the prestigious La Quinta Arts Foundation. 

Certified Farmers’ Market at Old Town La Quinta – October thru May 

Visit the Certified Farmers’ Market along Main Street Sundays from 8am to 12:30pm for the freshest produce, herbs, honey, nuts, cheese, cut flowers, plants, fresh baked breads from L’Artisan Bakery, live chef demonstrations and live music to feed your soul.   

December 

Indio International Tamale Festival 

A must-taste event ranked by the Food Network-TV as among the top 10 “All American Food Festivals” in the nation.