Things to Do in Palm Springs, Palm Desert & the Coachella Valley in November 2026: Events, Festivals & Holiday Kickoffs
Looking for things to do in Greater Palm Springs this November? November 2026 marks the official return of the Coachella Valley's high season, with art festivals, food and wine events, college basketball, hot air balloons and holiday light displays happening across Palm Springs, Palm Desert, La Quinta, Rancho Mirage, Cathedral City and Indio. With crisp morning breezes, sun-drenched 80-degree afternoons, and patio dining in full swing, our desert communities come alive with energy.
Whether you are a longtime Coachella Valley resident or planning a seasonal desert getaway, here is your curated guide to the best November events in Palm Springs, Palm Desert and across the valley:
Arts, Culture & Community Events in the Coachella Valley
La Quinta Art Celebration — Fall Edition
When: November 12–15, 2026
Where: La Quinta Civic Center Campus, La Quinta
Details: One of the top things to do in La Quinta this fall. Consistently ranked as the nation's premier fine art festival, this juried four-day event brings together top national and international artists set against the stunning Santa Rosa Mountains and lakeside park grounds. Enjoy curated exhibitions of painting, sculpture, glasswork, and jewelry alongside gourmet food vendors, champagne bars, and live acoustic music.
Learn More: La Quinta Art Celebration
Coachella Valley Days of Los Muertos at Sunnylands, Rancho Mirage
When: Early November 2026
Where: Sunnylands Center & Gardens, Rancho Mirage
Details: Celebrate Día de los Muertos in the Coachella Valley with vibrant outdoor altars, traditional papel picado (decorative cut paper), and large-scale community art installations nestled throughout the lush botanical gardens of historic Sunnylands. Visitors can enjoy educational art walks, family workshops, and evening film screenings under the stars.
Learn More: Sunnylands Center & Gardens Events | Run with Los Muertos
Food, Wine & Outdoor Festivals in Palm Springs & Cathedral City
Palm Springs International Food & Wine Festival
When: November 13–15, 2026
Where: Palm Springs Stadium Pavilion, Palm Springs
Details: A must-attend weekend for food lovers in Palm Springs, featuring curated tasting pavilions from celebrated desert chefs, regional California winemakers, craft spirit distillers, and live cooking demonstrations led by master sommeliers.
Learn More: Palm Springs Food & Wine Festival
12th Annual Cathedral City Hot Air Balloon Festival & Food Truck Fiesta
When: November 20–22, 2026
Where: Cathedral City Community Amphitheater & Town Square, Cathedral City
Details: One of the most family-friendly things to do near Palm Springs in November. Watch dozens of towering, colorful hot air balloons fill the morning desert skyline. The weekend festivities include tethered balloon rides, evening balloon glows set to music, artisan markets, live concerts, and a gathering of Southern California food trucks.
Learn More: Cathedral City Hot Air Balloon Festival
14th Annual Props & Hops Craft Beer Festival
When: November 21, 2026
Where: Palm Springs Air Museum, Palm Springs
Details: Southern California's only craft beer festival hosted right on an active airport tarmac surrounded by vintage warbirds. Taste craft beer from dozens of West Coast microbreweries while enjoying flight exhibitions, music, and food trucks alongside rare aircraft.
Learn More: Palm Springs Air Museum Props & Hops
Sports & Live Entertainment in Palm Desert & Indio
The Acrisure Series: NCAA College Basketball
When: November 21–26, 2026
Where: Acrisure Arena, Palm Desert
Details: Thanksgiving week transforms Acrisure Arena into the nation's premier multi-team college basketball hub. Catch elite Division I men's and women's programs competing in early-season holiday tournaments across multiple consecutive days in the Coachella Valley.
Learn More: Acrisure Arena Event Schedule & Tickets
Concerts & Performing Arts in Greater Palm Springs
When: All Month
Where: Across All Greater Palm Springs Cities
Details: November brings packed concert and theater schedules across the Coachella Valley, including world-class theatrical tours and classical ensembles at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert, headliner arena tours at Acrisure Arena, and free weekend outdoor concerts at The Rock Yard at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio.
Learn More: McCallum Theatre Schedule | Fantasy Springs Resort Live Entertainment
Holiday Events & Festive Kickoffs in Palm Desert
El Paseo Holiday Tree Lighting & Shopping Stroll
When: November 21, 2026
Where: The Shops on El Paseo, Palm Desert
Details: Palm Desert kicks off the holiday season along the Coachella Valley's luxury shopping corridor. Stroll the palm-lined boulevard and witness the illumination of the grand tree, accompanied by live brass bands, holiday carolers, family photo moments, and store open houses.
Learn More: The Shops on El Paseo
WildLights at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
When: Opening November 23, 2026
Where: The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, Palm Desert
Details: The Coachella Valley's favorite holiday light display, illuminating the zoo grounds with over a million sparkling LED lights. Guests can marvel at life-size light sculptures of giraffes and rhinos, explore model trains gliding through miniature landscapes, and enjoy hot cocoa under starry night skies.
Learn More: The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
Martha's Village & Kitchen Thanksgiving Day 5K
When: November 26, 2026
Where: El Paseo, Palm Desert
Details: Start Thanksgiving morning in Palm Desert with community purpose. This family- and pet-friendly 5K walk/run along El Paseo draws thousands of participants annually to raise essential funds for local hunger relief and shelter services.
Learn More: Martha's Village & Kitchen 5K Registration
Experience the Best of Coachella Valley Living
November illustrates exactly why so many have fallen in love with the Greater Palm Springs lifestyle, myself included! With world-class golf tournaments starting up, championship tennis facilities, and an unmatched culinary and arts scene, there is no better place to spend the winter months than Palm Springs, Palm Desert, La Quinta and the surrounding desert cities.
If you are exploring the idea of a seasonal desert retreat, a golf community residence, or making the Coachella Valley your full-time home, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Enjoy every moment of the vibrant desert season and I’ll see you in La Quinta!
Kimberly Oleson
Frequently Asked Questions About November in Greater Palm Springs
What are the best things to do in the Coachella Valley in November?
Top November events in the Coachella Valley include the La Quinta Art Celebration, the Cathedral City Hot Air Balloon Festival, Props & Hops at the Palm Springs Air Museum, the Acrisure Series college basketball tournament in Palm Desert, and the start of WildLights at The Living Desert.
What is the weather like in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley in November?
November offers comfortable desert conditions, with average daytime highs around 79°F (26°C) and clear, sunny skies. After sunset, desert temperatures drop rapidly into the low 50s°F (11°C).
What should I pack and wear for November outdoor events in Palm Springs?
Dressing in layers is key. Breathable, lightweight clothing, sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen, and wide-brim hats), and walking shoes are recommended during the afternoon. Carry a denim jacket, sweater, or fleece layer for evening events such as WildLights or the balloon glows.
Do I need to buy tickets in advance for Coachella Valley events?
Yes, advance purchase is strongly encouraged for ticketed events such as the La Quinta Art Celebration, Palm Springs Food & Wine Festival, and holiday nights at WildLights, which frequently use timed-entry slots to manage capacity. Community celebrations like the El Paseo Tree Lighting are free and open to the public.
How do I get around between Palm Springs, Palm Desert and other valley cities?
While downtown Palm Springs and El Paseo in Palm Desert are pedestrian-friendly, having a vehicle or using rideshare services (Uber and Lyft) is recommended to travel across the Coachella Valley's nine distinct cities. Allow extra travel and parking time around major festival grounds and Acrisure Arena during game days.
Are Palm Springs and Coachella Valley events pet-friendly?
Outdoor street gatherings such as the Martha's Village Thanksgiving Day 5K welcome leashed dogs. However, ticketed outdoor venues, including The Living Desert Zoo, Sunnylands Gardens, and the La Quinta Art Celebration, restrict pets to trained ADA service animals only to protect flora, fauna, and artwork.
Is the Coachella music festival in November?
No. The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival takes place each April in Indio. November is the start of the valley's high season, with art, food, sports and holiday events across Palm Springs, Palm Desert and La Quinta.
