November is the perfect month to get out and enjoy the enviable Coachella Valley weather. There are so many unique and exciting things to check out locally and across Southern California this month. Below are just a few of our favorites.

Desert Veterans Day Celebrations

November 11^th

Desert Veterans Day celebrations will take place throughout the Coachella Valley on Thursday, November 11^th. From Palm Springs to La Quinta, there are ceremonies and parades planned in honor of those who served our nation in the armed forces.

Palm Springs

The 24^th annual Palm Springs Veterans Day Parade rolls through town on Thursday, November 11^th starting at 3:30pm. This parade is one of 60 parades nationwide to be designated as a regional site for the observance of Veterans Day by the Veterans Day National Committee of the Department of Veterans Affairs. It is also one of the largest in Southern California and draws local military units, marching bands, veterans’ organizations, and more. The route starts at Ramon Road and Palm Canyon Drive, heading northbound on Palm Canyon Drive to Alejo Road, where it concludes with a post-parade patriotic concert and fireworks display. More information on this exceptional event can be found on its website.

Palm Desert

The City of Palm Desert has a few celebrations planned to honor our military veterans. Residents and members of the public are invited to sign a Gratitude Wall, which will be on display in Palm Desert Civic Center Park from 9am to 7pm on Tuesday, November 9th and Wednesday, November 10th. Bring your markers and write a thank you message to our veterans.

On Thursday, November 11th, experience the City’s annual Veterans Day Celebration, held virtually starting at 11 a.m. You may view the virtual event on the City’s Facebook page and its YouTube channel. The program will feature a keynote speaker from the 7th Marine Regiment at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms and a patriotic concert performance. Local veterans will be honored during this video presentation by displaying their photos.

La Quinta

The City of La Quinta will be honoring veterans at La Quinta City Hall with a ceremony from 9-10am on Thursday, November 11^th. The event is free and the public is welcome to join. Ceremonies in years past have included speeches by the Mayor, City Councilmembers, active duty military members, and veterans. In addition, there will be a visit to the Veteran Recognition Panel, featuring engravings of those who have served in our military with their name, rank, and years of service. For more information, check out the City of La Quinta’s website.

The San Diego Bay Wine and Food Festival

November 11^th through the 14^th

The San Diego Bay Wine and Food Festival returns to San Diego November 11^th through the 14^th. Boasting a buffet of exceptional experiences rotating through various locations, the event builds up to an epic Grand Tasting Event held on spectacular San Diego Bay on Saturday, November 13^th. This is the ultimate weeklong celebration for foodies and wine enthusiasts alike, and is Southern California’s largest culinary experience, drawing a crowd exceeding 10,000 people to participate over the course of the week. Mixed into the events are celebrity chef appearances and dinners, as well as unforgettable experiences including a daytrip to Baja to the Valle de Guadalupe for an incredible day of wine tasting and culinary indulgence.

For more information and details on the San Diego Bay Wine and Food Festival, including the full lineup of chefs and events, visit the festival’s website.

Art Shows Galore!

Various Dates Throughout November

Whether you are a fan of art shows, a collector, or are simply looking to enjoy our perfect fall weather, there are some fantastic art shows taking place this month throughout the desert.

La Quinta Art Celebration

November 11^th – 14^th

The La Quinta Art Celebration takes to the La Quinta Civic Center Campus in Old Town La Quinta November 11^th through the 14^th, boasting 200 artists representing 32 states across the USA. In addition to the 12 different categories of creative works on display for enjoyment and for purchase, attendees can indulge in delights, such as champagne bars, gourmet food, a vodka bar, winery row, margarita island, and wonderful live entertainment. Tickets are $20 per day or a multi-day pass may be purchased for $25. Visit the La Quinta Art Celebration website for the full details and to purchase tickets.

Artwalk at Indian Wells

November 13^th – 14^th

Head to The Village at Indian Wells (74-895 Highway 111, Indian Wells) to enjoy 2 days of exceptional artistry on display. This free art show takes place from 10am to 5pm each day and is a great way to discover the next great piece for your collection. More information on Artwalk at Indian Wells can be found on the West Coast Artists events page.

Town Square Art Affaire

November 19^th

Enjoy another West Coast Artists event in Cathedral City as Town Square Art Affaire heads to Cathedral City Town Square Park. Free to attend, check out works and wares from hundreds of artists and craftsmen from 10am to 5pm. Get more details on Town Square Art Affaire by visiting the West Coast Artists events page.

Desert Art Festival at The River

November 27^th

The final November installment of the West Coast Artists festivals takes place at The River in Rancho Mirage on November 27^th from 10am to 5pm. Enjoy stunning works from hundreds of artists at this free event. Discover additional details on Desert Art Festival at The River on the West Coast Artists events page.

Alohana

November 14^th

Experience the best of the Palm Springs tiki lifestyle at Alohana, taking place at the Palm Springs Cultural Center on November 14^th. This celebration of tiki culture is a fun Hawaiian-themed outdoor event and features live music, a DJ, hula dance performances, tiki talk symposiums, cocktails, and delicious food. Running from 10am to 4pm, it’s the perfect way to spend a Sunday in Palm Springs and enjoy our pristine weather, cool sights, sounds, and of course all things tiki! Tickets to this exciting event are $5.

For more information and to purchase your tickets, head to the Alohana event page.

Seventh Annual Cathedral City Hot Air Balloon Festival & Food Truck Fiesta

November 19^th-21^st

The Seventh Annual Cathedral City Hot Air Balloon Festival makes its triumphant return for another year of unforgettable fun November 19^th through the 21^st.  Exciting events include tethered balloon rides, the famous nighttime balloon glow, live music, a fleet of incredible food trucks, an art show, a Kids’ Zone, and more.

General admission to the event is free for Cathedral City residents, and $10 for non-resident adults and $5 for children. Various experiences, such as tethered flights, are also available for purchase. There are also ticketed events taking place Friday through Sunday, including morning balloon launches, a pancake breakfast on Sunday, and Balloon Glow Concert featuring live jazz music at The Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa.

More information on the Seventh Annual Cathedral City Hot Air Balloon Festival & Food Truck Fiesta can be found at the festival’s website.

McCormick’s Palm Springs Collector Car Auction

November 19^th – 21^st

Are you a car collector, automotive enthusiast, or simply love browsing all kinds of makes and models? Check out the next McCormick’s Palm Springs Collector Car Auction, taking place November 19^th through the 21^st at the Palm Springs Convention Center. Admission is free on Friday and $15 per day Saturday and Sunday or $25 if you want to attend both days.

There will be 180 cars crossing the auction block on Friday, 225 rolling through on Saturday, and 175 up for bidding on Sunday.

For more details on this annual event, including to preview the auction lots, check out the McCormick’s website.

Ninth Annual Props and Hops Festival

November 20^th

The Ninth Annual Props and Hops Festival takes flight at the Palm Springs Air Museum on Saturday, November 20^th. This awesome annual event blends fantastic breweries, thrilling aircraft rides, groovy live music, and delightful food for an unforgettable day in the desert. Aircraft available for flight include the C-47 Skytrain, P-51 Mustang fighter plane, T-28 Trojan, and PT-17 Stearman. The breweries pouring onsite include Coachella Valley Brewing, 29 Brews, Babe’s Brewery, Ballast Point, La Quinta Brewing Company, Firestone Walker, and more. Tickets are $40 for general admission and $75 for VIP tickets, granting early entry. Aircraft rides are sold separately and range in price.

For more information on the Ninth Annual Props and Hops Festival, including lineups for the breweries, food, and live music, as well as to purchase tickets, check out the festival website.

Sawdust Winter Fantasy

November 20^th – December 19^th

Sawdust Winter Fantasy returns to Laguna Beach to create more holiday magic as renowned Sawdust turns into a seasonal art village. Check out a variety of works from 150 artists and makers, live music and entertainment, hands-on creation opportunities and demonstrations, holiday photo-ops, and more. Additional planned special events include photos with Santa Claus in Towne Square where it snows each day!

For more information on Sawdust Winter Fantasy, including details on special events and directions, visit the Sawdust Festival website.

29^th Annual WildLights

November 23^rd – December 30^th

The 29^th Annual WildLights leaps into The Living Desert in Palm Desert, taking place select nights from November 23^rd through December 30^th. The members-only special lighting ceremony will take place on Tuesday, November 23^rd, with the wildly popular light display open to the public for the first time on Wednesday, November 24^th.

Featuring over a million shining lights, WildLights includes nocturnal animal viewing, live music and special events for all ages, visits with Santa Claus, and much more. Additionally, the model trains will be decked out for the season, a favorite among guests both young and young at heart.

For more information on the 29^th Annual WildLights, check out The Living Desert’s website.

The Festival of Lights at Mission Inn

November 26^th – January 6^th

The Festival of Lights at Mission Inn in Riverside starts on Friday, November 26^th at one of Southern California’s most beloved historic hotels. This annual holiday tradition embodies a festive spirit with a cornucopia of delightful seasonal goodies sure to spread good cheer, including a dazzling light display boasting over 5 million holiday lights, 200 animated figures, appearances by Santa Claus, the world’s largest man-made mistletoe, freshly fallen snow, horse-drawn carriage rides, delicious holiday treats from Casey’s Cupcakes, and more. Entrance into the light display is free, with other activities and treats available for purchase.

For more information on the Festival of Lights at Mission Inn, check out the hotel’s website.

Fortem Financial Thanksgiving 5K Benefitting Martha’s Village

November 25^th

The Fortem Financial Thanksgiving 5K, benefitting Martha’s Village, returns for another year, running Thursday, November 25^th through Sunday, November 28^th. This is the perfect way to burn some calories before your Thanksgiving feast. The event is a “5K Your Way,” with participants planning their own route and logging the 5K. Gather your family and friends and get out for a great cause. Bennion Deville Homes is a proud Trailblazer Sponsor of this event and is honored to support Martha’s Village.

For more information on the Fortem Financial Thanksgiving 5K, and more details on Martha’s Village, visit the race website.

Art on Main Street

November 27^th

Art on Main Street returns for the fall and winter season, starting November 27^th from 10am – 4pm. This treasured desert tradition features over 100 artists showing off their creativity through a variety of mediums, including paintings, jewelry, photography, ceramics, mixed media, textiles, sculptures, wood work, and more. Taking place in one of the desert’s most romantic locales, Old Town La Quinta, you can enjoy the art show and grab a bite to eat at one of the surrounding restaurants. As the city says, come for the art and stay for the day!

For more information on Art on Main Street, check out the City of La Quinta’s website.