April is Awash With Awesome Things To Do Around the Desert
From the return of the nighttime lantern festival at the zoo to the opening notes of music festival season ringing out, there are plenty of exciting things to check out in April across the Coachella Valley. Here are a few of our favorite ongoing and limited-time happenings.
Cruise Night on El Paseo
April 7
Check out Cruise Night on El Paseo, rolling through town for the final time this season on Friday, April 7th. This prized Palm Desert event features a parade of incredible rides heading down famed El Paseo, from classic and custom cars to hot rods.
Experiencing Cruise Night is free, and it’s the perfect excuse to grab a bite, scope choice chariots, and enjoy a perfect desert evening. El Paseo has earned its place among the most popular shopping districts, offering an enviable variety of boutiques and dining options to try before, during, and after the cruise.
For more details and photos of Cruise Night on El Paseo, speed over to the event’s website.
Easter Celebrations Across the Desert
Events Happening Through April 8
Spring into Easter with these eggcellent hoppenings in Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, and La Quinta!
Rancho Mirage
Head to The River in Rancho Mirage on Saturday, April 8th, for some Easter fun starting at 2pm. Start your afternoon at Ben & Jerry’s for a free arts and crafts opportunity to make your own bunny ear head bands. Then, head to the River Amphitheatre for a visit with the Easter Bunny and his friends. There will be music, treats, dancing, and professional photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny for $10. Check out The River’s website for more info.
Palm Desert
There are opportunities to celebrate Easter and the spring season around Palm Desert. The Shops at Palm Desert hosts the Easter Bunny for photos with your little ones through April 8th. You can register in advance online so book ahead!
On Saturday, April 8th, head to Palm Desert Civic Center Park for an Easter Egg Hunt and good old fashioned family fun, including a hula hoop contest, potato sack races, face painting, and more. Registration for the egg hunt starts at 11am. Learn more here.
La Quinta
Hop over to the Easter Eggstravaganza, put on by the City of La Quinta, on Saturday, April 8th, from 9am-11am. The festivities will be held at La Quinta Park (across from La Quinta High School), featuring an egg hunt for candy-filled eggs, a chalk-drawing contest, a visit from the Easter Bunny, and more. More information can be found here.
Indio
The Desert Recreation District Easter Eggstravaganzas are taking place on Saturday, April 1st, from 10am-12pm. Meet the Easter bunny, enjoy children’s activities, games, and of course the ever-popular egg hunts. The Indio edition will take place at Indio Community Center Park.
In addition to the event in Indio, there are also “Eggstravaganzas” taking place in Coachella at Bagdouma Community Park, Mecca at Mecca Community Park, and in Thousand Palms at Thousand Palms Community Park. All events are from 10am-noon on the same day (Saturday, April 1st).
Learn more at the Desert Recreation District’s website.
Desert X 2023
Through May 7
Desert X makes its triumphant return, exploring the Creative Side of the Coachella Valley. Now in its fourth installment, Desert X 2023 delivers a new set of creative visionaries to use the Coachella Valley and the surrounding desert landscapes as their canvas. Taking place through May 7th, Desert X 2023 offers the opportunity to explore landmarks dotted throughout the desert, designed to inspire imagination and intrigue while provoking thought about current issues. This year’s show is once again curated by Artistic Director Neville Wakefield with Co-Curator Diana Campbell, with a theme that explores water and its impact on our survival, economics, politics, and the climate crisis.
Desert X 2023 is free to the public, presenting the perfect opportunity to do something different and engaging while expanding your understanding and perspective of our local area. As a bonus, the perfect late winter and early spring desert climate will cast the experience in a wash of perfectly warm temperatures and bright, sunny days.
For more information on Desert X 2023, including the lineup of artists and a recap of previous installments by year, check out the Desert X website.
Glow in the Park at the Living Desert
Nightly through April 30
Glow in the Park returns to The Living Desert with a new lineup of brilliant displays, taking place nightly from 6:30-10pm. Experience breathtaking animal lanterns and creations representing locales from around the world, including familiar creatures from under the sea. Wander along lighted pathways while taking in these impressive pieces and their radiant beauty. This visually stimulating event offers a trove of photo opportunities and a chance to enjoy a unique art medium in one of the desert’s most celebrated attractions. Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended as this is a very popular and in demand event.
For more information on Glow in the Park, including to purchase tickets, visit The Living Desert website.
Rancho Mirage Theatre Under the Stars
April 14-16
The revelry of live theater returns for one final run at the Rancho Mirage Amphitheatre. This season’s Theatre Under the Stars series concludes with performances of the beloved musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. This rockin’ good time reimagines the story Biblical story of Joseph in entertaining and bright fashion. Featuring a celebrated soundtrack with music and lyrics by the iconic duo of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, this is one of the most well-known Broadway musicals of all time. General admission tickets are $50 plus a processing fee. Food and beverages will be available for purchase on-site, there is no outside food or drink allowed.
For more information on Theatre Under the Stars, including to reserve tickets, head to the Desert Theatricals website.
The Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival
April 14-16 & April 21-23
The Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, known as “Coachella,” returns to the Empire Polo Grounds in Indio for epic performances and immersive art and culture. The 2-weekend format returns for this year’s festival, with weekend one running April 14th-16th and weekend two running April 21st-23rd.
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.
Stagecoach Country Music Festival
April 28-30
The Stagecoach Country Music Festival rounds up the brightest stars from country music, gathering at the Empire Polo Club in Indio April 28th through April 30th. This 3-day music festival places some of the biggest acts at 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 Luke Bryan, Kane Brown, and Chris Stapleton, Stagecoach offers exceptional food and beverage options paired with 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, Trixie Mattel, Nelly, and international DJ sensation Diplo will be putting on special performances to keep the partying going late into the night.
For more information on Stagecoach, check out the festival’s website.
La Quinta’s City Picnic & 41st Birthday Celebration
April 29
Gather with neighbors, friends, and family at La Quinta’s 41st Birthday Celebration, taking place Saturday, April 29th,at La Quinta Civic Center Park from 9am to noon. This popular annual affair promises a great time celebrating one of the desert’s most popular cities. 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 41st Birthday Celebration, head over to the events page on the city’s website.
Acrisure Arena Events
Dates Throughout the month
Acrisure Arena, the state-of-the-art facility and home of the Coachella Valley Firebirds of the American Hockey League (AHL), offers another month with star-studded events. Each month, the arena draws a crowd practically every night for blockbuster entertainment. There is something for everyone, from the fast-paced thrills of professional ice hockey to concerts and shows featuring internationally acclaimed artists and talents.
This month, the arena will welcome the Coachella Valley Firebirds for their final regular season games against the Colorado Eagles, San Jose Barracuda, Calgary Wranglers, Bakersfield Condors, Henderson Silver Knights, and the Ontario Reign. The Firebirds have clinched the playoffs in their inaugural season, so playoff hockey will be coming soon to AcriSure Arena, too!
Additionally, enjoy performances by John Mayer on April 6th and Journey with very special guests Toto, taking to the stage on April 25th. Mark your calendars for special event in May, including Rauw Alejandro: Saturno World Tour 2023, Caifanes, Stars on Ice, and Shania Twain.
For the full host of events, as well as to purchase tickets, check out the Acrisure Arena 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 Springs Vintage Market
First Sunday of each month
One of the highlights of the desert’s peak season is the Palm Springs Vintage Market, held the first Sunday of each month running October through May each year in the parking lot of the Camelot Theater in Palm Springs. This popular event boasts an impressive assortment of vintage treasures, including clothing, décor, housewares, furniture, and more.
Admission for the Palm Springs Vintage Market is $5 per person, money well-spent. You are almost guaranteed an incredible time between the unique and nostalgia-inducing items for sale, the retro and vintage cars and trailers that are known to park nearby, and of course experiencing a perfect Coachella Valley Sunday outdoors. If you happen to stumble upon that vintage gem to complete your desert-inspired fashion statement or that ties your place together, then that’s even better.
For more information on the Palm Springs Vintage Market, including a gallery of monthly posters used to promote the market, be sure to check out the event’s website.
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