Check Out These Awesome March Events!
March is here – welcoming the opening notes to spring and continuing to provide the unrivaled Coachella Valley seasonal climate. With the sun shining and the temperatures remaining mild, there is ample opportunity to get out and enjoy our desert’s exceptional quality of life. Here are some events that give you the best excuses to get out, grab some fresh air, and live your desert lifestyle to its fullest.
La Quinta Art Celebration
March 3-6
The La Quinta Art Celebration brings its vibrant atmosphere to the La Quinta Civic Center Campus in Old Town La Quinta March 3-6. Showcasing 200 artists from across the globe, this show is ranked as the #1 Fine Art & Craft Event in the nation by Greg Lawler’s Art Fair SourceBook, “Elite 10 Fine Art Events 2022.”
In addition to 12 different categories of creative works on display for purchase and enjoyment, attendees have access to an indulgent display of delights, such as champagne bars, gourmet food, a vodka bar, splendid wines, a margarita island, and wonderful live entertainment. Tickets are $20 per day or a multi-day pass may be purchased for $30.
Visit the La Quinta Art Celebration website for the full details and to purchase tickets.
Coachella Valley Wildflower Festival
March 5
Join the Friends of the Desert Mountains (FODM) and The City of Palm Desert on Saturday, March 5th, for the Coachella Valley Wildflower Festival. This free public event boasts a ton of cool stuff to enjoy, including wildflower displays, local artists, vendors, exhibitors, and a ton of activities for the kids, such as a climbing wall and a safety fair. For fun outside of the in-person fair, there will be a “Wildflower Wednesday” video on the FODM YouTube channel each Wednesday starting at 6pm. You can also download a field guide to 125 Coachella Valley plants that bloom in the spring, and nature and scavenger hunts.
FODM has a goal of raising $40,000 on or by the day of the festival. To help accomplish this goal, the organization will be holding raffles and a silent auction. If you want to be active for this cause, you can also participate in the 30x30x30 challenge, which is a commitment to run, hike, bike, walk, or roll 30 miles over 30 days, and donate at least $30 to the campaign. Participants in the 30x30x30 challenge will receive an exclusive commemorative t-shirt and the pride that comes with helping to protect and preserve the desert’s land resources.
For more information on the Coachella Valley Wildflower Festival, be sure to check out the festival website.
The BNP Paribas Open
March 7-20
The BNP Paribas Open returns to Indian Wells to serve up electrifying professional tennis action. Known as the “Fifth Grand Slam” in tennis circles, the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament shines the sport’s global spotlight on the Indian Wells Tennis Garden each March for two weeks of fast-paced Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) play. This well-regarded tournament was named the ATP Tour Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 Tournament of the Year for a record-setting seventh straight year in 2021.
This year’s tournament features a star-studded lineup competing on the court in singles and doubles tournament play, including Rafael Nadal, Ash Barty, Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev, Paula Badosa, Victoria Azarenka, and many others. This is the largest two-week combined ATP World Tour Masters 1000 and WTA Premier professional tennis tournament in the world, and one of the most popular destinations for tennis fans from around the globe to attend.
This year’s tournament will run March 7-20. Valid proof of full vaccination is required for entry into Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
For match schedules, ticket information, a player roster, and more information about the BNP Paribas Open, check out the tournament’s website.
Indio Movies in the Park
March 11
Bring the family to the Indio Community Center for some free fun under the stars with Indio Movies in the Park. The next installment of this excellent series is the Disney smash musical hit Encanto, playing on a 35-foot outdoor screen in the park behind the community center on Clinton Street. This is the perfect way to spend a desert evening in season, so be sure to bring blankets, chairs, and plenty of snacks to share!
For more details on Indio Movies in the Park, check out the event’s web page.
Art on Main Street
March 12 & 26
Art on Main Street delivers an incredible variety of fine art, artisanal foods, fresh produce, and unique designs, in romantic Old Town La Quinta on select Saturdays from 10am to 4pm. Take this prime opportunity to explore “The Gem of the Desert” and gather some fun finds in the process. The remaining dates for the season are March 12 and March 26 so be sure to catch this awesome excuse for a Saturday in the sun while you can.
For the full details on Art on Main Street, visit the Old Town La Quinta website.
Rancho Mirage Theatre Under the Stars
March 18 & 19
Theatre Under the Stars, taking place at Rancho Mirage Amphitheatre, delivers a magical experience for all in one of the valley’s most unique and enjoyable outdoor venues. The 2022 season continues with Annie Get Your Gun, taking place March 18 and 19. The season concludes April 15 and 16 with A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. General admission tickets are $50 plus a processing fee. There is no outside food or drink allowed, however, food and beverage will be available for purchase on-site.
For more information on Theatre Under the Stars, including to reserve tickets, head to the Desert Theatricals website.
Fashion Week El Paseo
March 19-26
Fashion Week El Paseo, the largest consumer fashion show on the West Coast, struts into the desert March 19-26 at The Gardens on El Paseo in Palm Desert. This signature desert event showcases the latest fashions from some of the biggest designer brands in the world, featuring glitzy runway shows, exclusive trunk shows, celebrity meet-and-greets, and more. Now in its 15th year, this highly regarded event consistently draws a favorable crowd and is a huge economic driver for the local region, in addition to raising money for local charities and non-profit organizations. The event has instituted health and safety guidelines for all in attendance, including proof of vaccination or proof of a negative test.
For the full lineup of designers, schedule of events, tickets portal, and more information, strut on over to the Fashion Week El Paseo website.
Palm Springs VillageFest
Thursday Nights
Experience the best of the desert at Palm Springs VillageFest, taking place in downtown Palm Springs every Thursday from 6pm to 10pm. This delightful event is an incredible way to enjoy a world-famous desert evening. Stretching from Indian Canyon Drive to Belardo Road, Palm Springs VillageFest delivers a vibrant, community-oriented atmosphere with a variety of vendors, from artists and artisans to diverse and delicious food offerings, as well as live entertainment and a unique vibe for all in attendance to enjoy.
For the full list of vendors and additional information on Palm Springs VillageFest, check out the event’s website.
Palm Desert Food & Wine Festival
March 25-27
The Palm Desert Food & Wine Festival serves up 3 indulgent days of epic culinary experiences from March 25-27 at The Gardens on El Paseo in Palm Desert. This annual event blends a delightful assortment of tasting options, from crafted culinary treats to savor to delicious wine tastings, as well as food pairings. A portion of the proceeds from the various events go to FIND Food Bank and the James Beard Foundation. The last event in 2019 drew over 6,400 participants and raised over $20,000 for charity.
For more information, including tickets and a lineup of chefs, check out the Palm Desert Food & Wine Festival website.
Sunday Polo at Eldorado Polo Club
Sundays Through March 27
Sunday Polo at Eldorado Polo Club in Indio is the ultimate in-season desert sporting experience. Get familiar with the fast-paced sport of polo from The Eldorado Clubhouse venue with matches at 12pm and 2pm each Sunday through March 27th. Entry to the polo matches is $20 per vehicle and seating at The Eldorado Clubhouse is $20 per person, serving a full-service a la carte menu and bar offerings.
In addition to spectating matches, the Eldorado Polo Club features the Eldorado Polo & Riding Academy, providing lessons and an introduction to the sport for all ages and experience levels.
For more information on Sunday Polo at Eldorado Polo Club in Indio, check out the club’s website.
The Chevron Championship
March 28 – April 3
The Chevron Championship, formerly known as the ANA Inspiration, brings the LPGA Tour’s brightest stars to Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage. This is the first major tournament of the young LPGA Tour season and always has a competitive field.
Taking place March 28 through April 3, this event, also known as the Dinah Shore after the legendary entertainer and World Golf Hall of Famer, is an exceptional way to enjoy gorgeous Southern California desert weather on one of the Coachella Valley’s best golf courses. This year is the last year that the tournament will be held in the Coachella Valley, with the tournament planning to move to Houston starting in 2023.
For more information on The Chevron Championship, including tickets, check out the tournament website.
Indian Wells Arts Festival
April 1-3
The Indian Wells Arts Festival returns to the Indian Wells Tennis Garden for another year of vibrant, creative works from 200 international juried artists. Consistently ranked as one of the top 100 Best Fine Art Shows in the country by Sunshine Artist magazine and Best of the Best Art Festivals by readers of Palm Springs Life, Indian Wells Arts Festival attendees have a chance to engage with fine art from around the globe in one of the Coachella Valley’s most iconic venues. This year’s festival runs April 1-3, from 9am to 4pm each day.
Beyond the artists converging on the Tennis Garden from around the globe, festival-goers can enjoy live jazz music, savor delicious cocktails from the Oasis Bar and Champagne Circle Bar, and treat themselves to the taste of delectable culinary concoctions in a shaded open-air pavilion.
For more information about the Indian Wells Arts Festival, including tickets, parking details, and more, please visit the festival’s website.
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