Check Out These Awesome September Events

September is a welcomed month in the Coachella Valley. The hottest days of the year are usually behind us, and the events calendar begins to pick up steam heading into crisper fall days. From concerts and special movie screenings to local escapes, there’s plenty to enjoy. Below are a few of our top picks to wind down the summer heat and have some local fun.

Summer Eats Pass

Through September 4

Please your palate and your wallet with the Summer Eats Pass. This sizzling deal lets you enjoy your favorite local restaurants for less, delivering special discounts, prix fixe menus, and more, all summer long. In addition to discounts and goodies, there will be a weekly drawing for a $50 gift card to a Greater Palm Springs restaurant. By using the pass every time you dine out, you will also help locals in need of food supplies as Visit Greater Palm Springs will donate $1 to FIND Food Bank. And as if it couldn’t get any better, access to this mobile pass is free!

To get started, simply download the Summer Eats Pass and present is at participating restaurants to enjoy the benefit through September 4^th. Learn more on the Summer Eats Pass website.

Broadway to the Big Screen…And Back

September 2 and 16

Get your fix of classic musicals that were turned into movies select Saturdays this September at the historical Camelot Theatre at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. This summer series wraps up with two more entries featuring your favorite musical flicks, screened in the air-conditioned theater with delicious popcorn, treats, and beverages. The series concludes in September with West Side Story on September 2^nd, and Moulin Rouge closes the curtains on September 16^th.

For more information and to purchase tickets, check out the Palm Springs Cultural Center’s Eventbrite page

Films in the Gardens at Sunnylands

Fridays Starting September 15

Films in the Gardens at Sunnylands kicks off another sensational season of film screenings in one of the desert’s most treasured locales. Pack a picnic, bring a blanket and chairs, and enjoy a beautiful Friday night under the stars on the Great Lawn. This year, the series will showcase 3 John Hughes classics starting Friday, September 15^th with Some Kind of Wonderful. The following Friday, September 22^nd, skip school and pal around town with the classic coming of age flick Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. The series concludes on Friday, September 29^th, with The Breakfast Club, following 5 high school students who get to know each other, and themselves, over Saturday detention.

For more information on the Films in the Gardens series, check out the Sunnylands website.

Flick N Float in Palm Springs

September 16

The Palm Springs Swim Center concludes its popular Flick N Float series this month with a screening of Luca on September 16^th. This free event screens popular family movies, with open swim starting at 7pm and the movie starting at dusk.

More information can be found at the City of Palm Springs website.

Acrisure Arena Events

Dates Throughout the month

Each month, marquee talents stop by Acrisure Arena, a state-of-the-art entertainment facility and home to the Coachella Valley Firebirds of the American Hockey League (AHL). The valley’s premier entertainment venue delivers a slate of exceptional events, attracting huge crowds to enjoy world-class entertainment. There is something for everyone to enjoy each month, from concerts and shows featuring internationally acclaimed artists and talents to the fast-paced thrills of professional ice hockey during the AHL season, which will return in October.

In September the arena will host Cirque du Soleil: Corteo (August 31 through September 3), Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow Party (September 8-10), Odesza (September 20), WWE SuperShow (September 23), Luis R. Conriquez (September 29), and Luis Miguel (September 30). Get ready for another month of epic entertainment in October as the arena welcomes an NHL pre-season matchup featuring the Arizona Coyotes vs. the Anaheim Ducks, Sting, Peter Gabriel, and the “Desert Duel” featuring the LA Lakers taking on the Phoenix Suns.

For the full host of events, as well as to purchase tickets, check out the Acrisure Arena website.

Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest

Select Dates September 9^th Through November 4^th

The Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest returns with an authentic Bavarian Oktoberfest experience starting Saturday, September 9, running weekly through November 4. Events will be held both indoors and outside at the Big Bear Lake Convention Center, with limited capacity each day. This Oktoberfest celebration is known for capturing the essence of the original Oktoberfest, with traditional music, events, food, and the finest Bavarian beers imported from Munich. The festival will buzz with lively spirits thanks to the fun tunes played by an impressive lineup of live bands, including musicians and acts hailing from Germany.

For more information on Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest, including details on tickets and entertainment, check out the event website.

Rancho Mirage Observatory

Dates Throughout the Month

Gain a new perspective on space, the final frontier, and all its grandeur at the Rancho Mirage Observatory. It’s hard to beat an evening of stargazing on a warm desert evening. Check out one of the Observatory Public Exploration Nights, taking place Thursday and Saturday nights at 9:30pm. This open house style, drop-in event offers a glimpse beyond our world with stellar insight offered by astronomers and volunteer docents.

In addition to nighttime observation fun, you can tour the Observatory Monday through Friday at 3pm each day. This is free and open to the public, with no advance registration necessary. Located adjacent to the Rancho Mirage Public Library, the Rancho Mirage Observatory is a must-explore attraction and a great way to journey beyond our world.

For more information on the Rancho Mirage Observatory, including a calendar of upcoming events and ongoing programs, check out its section on the Rancho Mirage Library website.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Open Throughout the Month

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, one of the most iconic attractions in Palm Springs, is your ticket to the top. Rotating tramcars travel over 2.5 miles, transporting riders from Palm Springs at the floor of the Coachella Valley to the top of the San Jacinto Mountains.

The world at the top of the tram is drastically different than the warmer confines of Palm Springs, with snow a frequent attraction during the fall, winter, and sometimes spring, months. In the summer, the tram offers a refreshing reprieve from the sizzle on the valley floor, often with a temperature differential of 30-to-40-degrees.

Beyond the breathtaking views offered by the 10-minute ride up the tram, this attraction draws major crowds due to its connection to popular trailheads that link up to some of the best hiking in Southern California, meandering through Mount San Jacinto State Park and into Idyllwild, a romantic, rustic mountain town. In addition to hiking trails, tram riders may enjoy two restaurants, a cocktail lounge, theaters screening a history of the State Park and tram construction videos, and observation decks featuring panoramic views of the entire Coachella Valley and beyond.

For more information about the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, be sure to visit their website.

Palm Springs Certified Farmers’ Market

Saturdays June through September in Palm Springs

Enjoy fresh produce and a variety of locally sourced treats, crafts, and goods this summer at the Palm Springs farmers’ market. The Palm Springs Certified Farmers’ market is held indoors June to September, open Saturdays from 8am-1pm inside the Palm Springs Pavilion (401 S. Pavilion Way). In addition to fresh fare, vendors with a variety of items for sale are on-hand, including clothing, flowers, handmade crafts and gifts, and more.

Palm Springs VillageFest

Thursday Nights

Experience the best of the desert at Palm Springs VillageFest, taking place in downtown Palm Springs every Thursday from 7pm to 10pm during the months of June through September. 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 Springs Art Museum

Free Every Thursday Night, 5pm – 7pm

Before you enjoy an evening at Palm Springs VillageFest, head to the Palm Springs Art Museum for complimentary admission each Thursday from 5-7pm. Participate in the monthly self-guided activity to learn more about the museum’s collection and so much more. This interactive activity even presents an opportunity to go viral with a feature on the museum’s Instagram account.

If you prefer to visit the Palm Springs Art Museum another time, this exceptional attraction is open Thursday from noon – 8pm and Friday through Sunday from 10am – 5pm. You will be treated to a collection of over 12,000 objects that are rooted in modern and contemporary art, architecture, and design. The museum is a crown jewel of the Palm Springs community and is a must-see experience for residents and visitors alike.

For more information on the Palm Springs Art Museum, including details about the free Thursday night admission opportunity, check out the museum’s website.