Holiday events for the family around the Coachella Valley: Santa, light displays and more
The Coachella Valley might not get a white Christmas, but it still knows how to make the holidays merry and bright.
Local cities are hosting several events so the whole family can get into the holiday spirit, from tree lightings to photo-ops with Santa Claus himself. The Desert Sun has put together a "good list" of some family-friendly happenings in the area you won't want to miss.
Read on for our picks for festive family fun this holiday season:
Where to get photos with Santa
Santa Claus is braving the desert climate in his snowsuit to have meet-and-greets with his adoring fans. Here are a few places he'll be so you and your kids can snag a photo with the Christmas icon:
Photos with Santa in Palm Springs
When: 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12
Where: Palm Springs Public Library, 300 South Sunrise Way, Palm Springs
Photos with Santa in Cathedral City
When: 3-5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 (Bilingual Santa) and Saturday, Dec. 23.
Where: McSanta Parlor in front of City Hall, 68-700 Avenida Lalo Guerrero, Cathedral City
Breakfast with Santa
When: 8 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16
Where: Palm Springs Pavilion, 401 South Pavilion Way, Palm Springs
Festive events for the whole family
Magic of Lights Coachella Valley
Hop in the car with some loved ones to check out this drive-thru holiday lights experience. Guests will enjoy a 200-foot-long Enchanting Tunnel of Lights, the Blizzard Light Tunnel, the Snowflake Tunnel and the Candy Cane Light Tunnel in their own vehicle. There will also be other displays, including life-sized dinosaurs, as well as a Holiday Village with drinks and snacks available for purchase.
When 5:30-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 5:30-10 p.m. Friday and Saturdays now through Sunday, Dec. 31
Where: Empire Polo Club, 81-800 Avenue 51, Indio
Tickets: $25-$60
More information: magicoflights.com/events/coachella-valley/
More: Magic of Lights at Empire Polo Club opens Friday: Here's what is new this holiday season
WildLights
The furry tenants at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens are also celebrating the holidays. The zoo's annual event includes a s'mores station, holiday carousel, 30-foot-tall holiday tree and light exhibits, which include animal-themed displays and the Tunnel of Lights. This is fun for all ages, but if you want to ditch the kids, the zoo is also hosting an adults-only night this year for people 21 and older on Dec. 14.
Note that the zoo requires you to reserve tickets in advance.
When: 6-9 p.m. on select nights from now through Saturday, Dec. 30
Where: The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, 47-900 Portola Ave., Palm Desert
Tickets: $19.95 - $22.95 for adults, $17.95 - $20.95 for adult members, $15.95 - $18.95 for kids 3-17 and free for kids under 3
More information: livingdesert.org/events/upcoming-zoo-events/wildlights
More: The Living Desert to kick off WildLights holiday event this week
Palm Springs Holiday Market @ VillageFest
VillageFest, the city's weekly night market in downtown, offers goods from artwork to food for your Christmas shopping list and is decked out for the holidays. You can get free jingle bells at the Palm Springs Holiday Market booth at Palm Canyon Drive and Tahquitz Canyon Way while supplies last.
When: 6-10 p.m. every Thursday in December
Where: Palm Canyon Drive from Baristo to Amado roads, Palm Springs
Tickets: Free admission, with many items available for purchase
More information: visitpalmsprings.com/celebrating-the-holidays-in-palm-springs
More: Events: From the Tamale Festival to Winterfest, here's 10 things to do in the desert
Indian Wells Winterfest
Its Indian Wells' second year celebrating Winterfest, and it will kick off with a tree lighting on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. The event features a variety of activities such as:
Roller skating with theme nights that include music ranging from classic rock to holiday hits
Holiday-themed "Shots in the Night," an outdoor golf entertainment experience that includes laser putting and a Toptracer driving range (reservations recommended)
Hot chocolate and treats from the "Holiday Cookie and Candy Truck"
Holiday movie screenings on Tuesdays
When: Saturday, Dec. 2 through Monday, Jan. 1, closed on Thursday, Dec. 21 for a private event. Times will be during the evening but vary, check website for details when you book your tickets
Where: Indian Wells Golf Resort, 44-500 Indian Wells Lane, Indian Wells
Tickets: Prices vary depending on activity, check website for details
More information: visitgreaterpalmsprings.com/coachella-valley/indian-wells/winterfest
Related: Driving range revamp: Indian Wells Golf Resort adds Toptracer, skating rink
Snowtopia at the Palm Springs Air Museum
It's a winter wonderland at the Palm Springs Air Museum, featuring a playground with 60 tons of real snow, crafts, hot chocolate and s'mores. Santa Claus and his friends will also be there.
When: 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19 through Saturday, Dec. 23
Where: Palm Springs Air Museum, 745 North Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs
Tickets: $12 per person, $55 for groups of up to six, free for children under 3
More information: palmspringsairmuseum.org/snowtopia
Related: From Taylor Swift to Cher, these 10 artists should be on your holiday playlist
Desert Hot Springs Parade of Lights & Holiday Festival
Head over to Desert Hot Springs' Parade of Lights & Holiday Festival to enjoy free photos with Santa Claus, a parade, a tree lighting ceremony, carnival rides, face painting, cotton candy and live music. There will also be food vendors.
When: 5:45-10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9
Where: The parade is on Palm Drive from Mission Lakes Boulevard to 2nd Street, and the festival is on Palm Drive and Pierson Boulevard
Tickets: N/A, free admission
More information: cityofdhs.org/event/parade
Related: From Gladys Knight to Barry Manilow, here's our guide to Coachella Valley holiday concerts
Cathedral City Snow-Fest
Enjoy the holiday outdoor market, free train rides on the Snow-Fest Express, snow, a holiday concert from the Cathedral City High School Choir, puppet shows and story time readings, an elf workshop for kids and more at Cathedral City's Snow-Fest event.
Santa Claus will arrive at 5 p.m. and Cathedral City Mayor Rita Lamb will then oversee a tree lighting ceremony. The city will put up a "North Pole Village" with 20 holiday-themed storefronts, which will remain on display until Monday, Jan. 8.
When: 1-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9
Where: Civic Center Plaza, 68-700 Avenida Lalo Guerrero, Cathedral City
Tickets: N/A, free admission
More information: snowfest.us
Related: 5 local holiday theater productions to check out this December
Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade
The 31st annual Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade is bound to be a magical time. This year features guests like Palm Springs' Canine Mayor Buddy Holly, local celebrity and Love Island USA winner Hannah Wright and NBC Palm Springs film critic Manny the Movie Guy. There will be floats, marching bands, holiday balloons and an appearance from Santa Claus.
Past years have attracted thousands of people, so keep that in mind when it comes to parking and finding a spot to view the parade.
When: 5:45-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2
Where: Palm Canyon Drive from Ramon Road to Tachevah Drive, Palm Springs
Tickets: N/A, free admission
More information: psfestivaloflights.com
More: Feeling the holiday spirit? Here's our guide to Coachella Valley tree lighting events
Jingle Mingle Tree Lighting
The holiday tree at Frances Stevens Park will be lit at 5:15 p.m. There will also be caroling from the Palm Springs High School Madrigal Singers, free cookies, hot cocoa, crafts for children, holiday music, and performances by the Dancing Christmas Trees.
When: 4:30-5:15 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1
Where: Frances Stevens Park, 500 North Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
Tickets: N/A, free admission
More information: visitpalmsprings.com/events/jingle-mingle-in-the-park
Features editor Niki Kottmann contributed to this report
Ani Gasparyan covers the western Coachella Valley cities of Desert Hot Springs and Cathedral City. Reach her at ani.gasparyan@desertsun.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: 10 can't-miss family holiday events in the Palm Springs area
