From the start to festival season to a special nighttime lantern festival at the zoo, there are so many cool things to check out in April across the Coachella Valley. Here are a few of our favorite ongoing and limited-time happenings.

Glow in the Park at the Living Desert

Nightly Through April 29

Experience The Living Desert in a new light at Glow in the Park – A Spring Lantern Festival. Happening nightly from 6:30-10pm, this unique and brilliant display features breathtaking animal lanterns and creations representing locales from around the world. Meander lighted pathways while experiencing these impressive lanterns and their radiant beauty. This visually stimulating event offers a plethora of photo opportunities and a chance to enjoy a unique art medium in one of the desert’s most treasured attractions.

For more information on Glow in the Park, including to purchase tickets, visit The Living Desert website.

The Chevron Championship

Through 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.

Easter Celebrations

April 8-16

Check out these Easter “hoppenings” in Palm Desert and La Quinta and spring into the season!

Palm Desert

There are a few egg-cellent opportunities to celebrate Easter and the spring season around Palm Desert. The Shops at Palm Desert (formerly known as Westfield Palm Desert) will be welcoming the Easter Bunny for photos with your little ones. “The Bunny” will be available for visits on level 1 across from World Gym from April 8-16. On Saturday, April 9^th, you can enjoy the Bunny Breakfast from 10am to noon. For a $10 donation to Family YMCA of the Desert, you get to enjoy breakfast, work on some Easter crafts, and participate in a meet-and-greet with the Easter Bunny and other characters.

On Saturday, April 9^th, The Gardens on El Paseo will be hosting Hop Into Spring, featuring Easter Bunny photos and a ton of fun for the little ones. The photo sessions will be held inside Suite 1126. After snapping your photo, head out to the lawn area to romp around a bounce house, be enchanted by the “Bubble Fairy,” and enjoy lawn games like cornhole and Connect Four.

Check out the City of Palm Desert’s website for a full rundown of the Easter events happening across the city.

La Quinta

Hop over to the Easter Egg-Stravaganza, put on by the City of La Quinta, on Saturday, April 16^th, from 9am-11am. The bright festivities will be held at La Quinta Park (across from La Quinta High School), featuring candy-filled eggs, a chalk-drawing contest, a visit from the Easter Bunny, and more. Pre-registration is required. More information can be found here.

Rancho Mirage Theatre Under the Stars

April 15 & 16

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 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.

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.

The Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival

April 15-17 & April 22-24

The Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, also lovingly known as “Coachella,” returns to the Empire Polo Grounds in Indio for another year of epic performances and immersive art and culture. This year’s festival features two weekends of entertainment, with weekend one running April 15-17 and weekend two running April 22-24.

What began as a humble “Anti-Woodstock” event in 1999 has turned into one the most recognizable festivals in the world. Coachella will draw a sea of fans from around the globe to enjoy live music and experiential art in the Southern California desert. This sensational event is a staple of the spring in the Greater Palm Springs Area and is the place to be both seen and heard for celebrities and rising music stars.

The musical acts at Coachella have transformed over the years, with popular chart-topping artists headlining each night. Mixed in throughout the three-day weekend are established and up-and-coming musicians from a variety of genres, including electronic, hip-hop, rock, pop, and everything in between. Many artists have risen to prominence in the music industry after a rousing Coachella performance, due to the popularity of the festival and the audience it attracts.

Beyond the music, however, Coachella is known for the art scattered throughout the Empire Polo Grounds landscape. Years past have featured a caterpillar that over the course of the weekend turned into a butterfly, a giant astronaut, and other installations that range from the whimsical to the absurd. Regardless of musical preference, attendees can all agree that the tastes at Coachella are top-notch, with exciting food and beverage options ranging from wood-fired pizzas and handcrafted burgers to gourmet Asian cuisine and gourmet street tacos.

For more information on the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, check out the festival’s website.

Indio Movies in the Park

April 22

Head to the Indio Community Center for another installment of Indio Movies in the Park, offering the perfect evening under the stars. The April screening features the blockbuster hit Spider-Man: No Way Home, playing on a 35-foot outdoor screen in the park behind the community center on Clinton Street. The event runs from 7:30pm – 9:30pm on Friday, April 22, and is an ideal way to spend a desert evening in season. 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.

Stagecoach Country Music Festival

April 29-May 1

The Stagecoach Country Music Festival draws the brightest stars from country music to the Empire Polo Club in Indio April 29 through May 1. This 3-day music festival will place some of the biggest acts in the genre center stage for what has become one of the most beloved country music festivals in the nation. In addition to the marquee names putting on a show, including Thomas Rhett, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Combs, Stagecoach offers exceptional food and beverage options as well as fun activities. Guy Fieri’s Stagecoach Smokehouse brings a delightful assortment of delicious BBQ styles and offerings from across the country. For additional star power, international DJ sensation Diplo will be putting on a special performance Saturday late into the night.

For more information on Stagecoach, check out the festival’s website.

La Quinta’s City Picnic & 40^th Birthday Celebration

April 30

La Quinta’s 40^th Birthday Celebration brings the community together to enjoy another year around the sun in one of the desert’s most prized cities. Taking place Saturday, April 30,at La Quinta Civic Center Park from 9am to noon, this annual affair is always popular and a great time. A host of fun things are planned for all in attendance, including activities for children, live entertainment, snacks, refreshments, games, and giveaways.

For more information on La Quinta’s 40^th Birthday Celebration, head over to the events page on the city’s website.