12 things to do in the Coachella Valley this week, Oct 23-29

The Coachella Valley is home to a number of events and activities to take part in this fall. If you're interested in filling your calendar, we've put together a list of 10 things happening this week

To submit an event for consideration, send an email to niki.kottmann@desertsun.com with the time, date, location and price of admission, as well as a brief event description. Photos are not required but encouraged as part of the submission.

Check out the following events this week:

Terror Tuesdays Screening of 'Poltergeist'

Horror fans have a few more thrills to get them in the spooky mood this month with the Cultural Center's film revival series PS Rewinds: Terror Tuesdays. Each week, the theater will show an iconic horror movie on the big screen, and this week's film is "Poltergeist." The '80s film follows the story of a young family being visited by ghosts in their home. At first the ghosts appear friendly ... but the visits quickly turn sinister.

When: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24

Where: Palm Springs Cultural Center, 2300 E. Baristo Road, Palm Springs

Tickets: $12

More info: psculturalcenter.org

More: Palm Springs Cultural Center introduces Filipino Festival, return of music, film series

Halloween Spooktacular Skate

Looking for a family-friendly, not-so-spooky Halloween event? Throw on a costume and head to the Berger Foundation Iceplex for the Halloween Spooktacular Skate on Tuesday. This all treats, no-tricks event is a great way to celebrate the holiday while getting active with your loved ones. The event will feature a costume contest, free candy, and spooky games.

When: 7:15-8:45 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24

Where: Beger Foundation Iceplex at Acrisure Arena, 75-702 Varner Road, Palm Desert

Tickets: $15, free skate rental with costume

More info: bergerfoundationiceplex.com/upcoming-events/

Drew Sebastian: Halloween Spooktacular

This Halloween celebration is NOT family friendly. If you're looking for some 21-and-older fun this holiday, head to Reforma to party with adult entertainer Drew Sebastian, who's hosting his Dad’s Cabaret. Expect plenty of live singing and dancing with special guest Joel Solis Dance Co Male Review.

When: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25

Where: Reforma, 333 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs

Tickets: $15-$25 (plus the price of one entree - required - per person)

More info: reformaps.com/events

Leather Pride Kick Off With Tom of Finland Foundation

Ready to kick-start pride season in the desert? First up is Leather Pride, so grab your leathers, or swimsuits, and strut over for this kick-off party with Tom of Finland Foundation. Los Angeles-based performance artist EthicalDrvgs will spin tunes all afternoon. If you're looking for an excuse to head back to the Ace throughout the weekend, there will be a special Leather Brunch menu, all curated by Chef Mara Herbkersman of Los Angeles wine bar The Ruby Fruit (the first Lesbian bar to open in Los Angeles in six years), from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday-Sunday. The menu features buckwheat corn pancakes, smoked salmon deviled eggs, a honey nut squash + farro bowl, a brunch salad and The Ruby Fruit hot dog.

When: 1-5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26 (with special brunch service 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27-Sunday, Oct. 29)

Where: Poolside at Ace Hotel Palm Springs, 701 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs

Tickets: Free admission, with brunch available for purchase

More info: acehotel.com/palm-springs/going-on/

Concerts in the Park

Palm Desert's fall concert series returned this month, and the free, family-friendly event continues this week with the 80's Ladies. Step back in time and rock out to all your favorites during this tribute to the MTV generation. From rock to dance, New Wave to Top 40 hits, there's something for all musical tastes. Guests are asked to remember that alcoholic beverages and smoking are prohibited at Civic Center Park. A certified American Sign Language interpreter will sign every concert in the series.

When: 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26

Where: Civic Center Park, 43-900 San Pablo Ave., Palm Desert

Tickets: Free

More info: discoverpalmdesert.com/events

Riverside County Scare & Pumpkin Festival

Ready to celebrate spooky season? The Riverside County Fairgrounds have been transformed into the town of Plaza Fantazma for this month-long festival, which is the perfect stop for family fun this fall. Enjoy a pumpkin patch, photo ops, a community ofrenda, and friendly encounters with the town's spectral residents. Those brave enough to face a real fright can pay extra to head inside the Carnival Carnivore Haunted House.

When: 5-11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27; 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29; and various other times through Oct. 31

Where: Riverside County Fairgrounds, 46-350 Arabia St., Indio

Tickets: $8 for general admission, and an additional $20 for admission to the Carnival Carnivore Haunted House (save 50% on opening day "scare admission" with promo code LABORDAY)

More info: datefest.org

PS Underground Presents: BITE - Killer Prom

Looking for the ideal blend of horror and elegance? Dust off your prom dress or tuxedo (if you've beaten the odds and are still the same size, that is) and enjoy the 10th installment of this annual Vampire extravaganza. Enjoy innovative, horror-inspired culinary twists on his diabolical four-course prom night menu by Chef Dave. Enjoy free-flowing cocktails, beer, and wine throughout the evening, and dance the night away to the sounds of The Gand Band.

When: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, Saturday, Oct. 28 and Tuesday, Oct. 31

Where: PS Underground, 1700 S. Camino Real, Suite 2, Palm Springs

Tickets: $165

More info: psunderground.com/bite

Friends of the Desert Mountains Presents: Fall Bioblitz

The Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains is home to more than 2,400 species. Help the Friends of the Desert Mountains find and document even more species by participating in this bioblitz event to keep identifying new creatures. Anyone can participate by going outside and exploring any of the over 280+ miles of designated trails within the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument and identifying any plants or animals you see using the iNaturalist app on your phone. Be sure to add the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument project to your iNaturalist account to participate. Alternatively, you can upload your photos from your computer at iNaturalist.org to share with them.

When: Now through Saturday, Oct. 28

Where: Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, 51-500 Highway 74, Palm Desert (address is for the visitors center for a good starting point)

Tickets: Free

More info: desertmountains.org/calendar

The Bent Presents 'Gross Indecency: The Three Trials Of Oscar Wilde'

The Bent, a nonprofit LGBTQ+ theater group that debuted last year and calls the Palm Springs Cultural Center Home, is kicking off its 2023-24 season with "Gross Indecency." This dramatic show full of historically accurate details shows the price Oscar Wilde paid for his status as a gay icon, especially in the wake of suing his lover's father for libel after the man called Wilde a “Posing Sodomite.” This play tells Wilde’s story through court transcripts, newspapers and other first-person accounts, and the script was written by playwright Moises Kaufman of "The Laramie Project" fame.

When: Now through Saturday, Oct. 28 (check website for specific days/times)

Where: Palm Springs Cultural Center, 2300 E. Baristo Road, Palm Springs

Tickets: $40

More info: thebent.org

College of the Desert Street Fair

This desert tradition returned Oct. 7 for its 40th anniversary season, and visitors and locals alike can now browse products from more than 100 vendors every Saturday and Sunday. Whether you want to grab a meal from a food truck, you need some farmers market-fresh produce to fill your fridge with, or you're in the mood to shop a wide array of clothing, jewelry, art, and gadgets, there's something for everyone at the street fair. The event also offers live entertainment, shaded aisles, air-conditioned restrooms, free shuttles and free parking. Proceeds support College of the Desert students by raising money for the COD Alumni Association, which provides scholarships, financial aid and other programs that address student needs.

When: 8 a.m.-2 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday

Where: Northwest corner of the College of the Desert campus at 43-500 Monterey Ave., Palm Desert

Tickets: Free admission, with several items available for purchase

Information: Call (760) 636-7957 or visit codaastreetfair.com

Tools for Tomorrow 'Partee'

Enjoy an evening of putting, bocce ball, music, appetizers, tacos, wine, beer and margaritas at this Welcome Back Partee for Tools For Tomorrow "visionaries" supporters and prospective "visionaries." Funds raised support Tools For Tomorrow's free after-school arts literacy program for Coachella Valley children ages 8 to 11.

When: 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28

Where: Shadow Mountain Golf Club, 73-800 Ironwood St., Palm Desert

Tickets: Free for visionaries; prospective members $30

More info: To RSVP or to buy tickets, visit toolsfortomorrow.org or call 760-601-3954

Decades Music Series: '80s Night

If you didn't get your full '80s fix after Thursday's concert in Palm Desert, head to The River and dance the night away to many of your favorite new wave and rock hits — all in the name of a good cause. Enter for a chance to win prizes donated by local businesses like Agape Salon, Omni Hotels & Resorts, The River, and more, and proceeds from your purchase will go directly to the Desert Cancer Foundation. Raffle tickets will be available for purchase from 7 to 8 p.m. Saturday for $5 each, and raffle prize winners will be announced at the end of the evening.

When: 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28

Where: The River Amphitheatre, 71-800 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage

Tickets: Free admission, with $5 raffle tickets available for purchase

More info: theriveratranchomirage.com/events

Niki Kottmann is the features editor for The Desert Sun. She oversees the paper's arts and entertainment, education, health and business coverage, and loves to write the occasional entertainment story. You can connect with her on Twitter @niki_mariee.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: 12 things to do in the greater Palm Springs area this week