Upcoming October Events in the Coachella Valley
We love the areas where we live, work, and play. That’s why we stay up-to-date on all the local happenings and bring you a snapshot each month. Do you have a tip or local event you’d like to promote on our blog? Send over an email! desert@haltonpardee.com
Joshua Tree Music Festival
Come out for the Joshua Tree Fall Music Festival! The festival showcases up and coming, white-hot, have-to-see-them-now-before-they-get-big type of roster, with artists that are still hungry, honing their craft, and creating unique, original sounds. Artists who have performed at JTMF, then gone on to successful music careers include Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, Elle King, the Avett Brothers, Brett Dennen, John Butler Trio, Trombone Shorty, Deer Tick, Trampled by Turtles, Chicano Batman, Railroad Earth, Orgone, Valerie June, Greensky Bluegrass and more. The festival offers live music which alternates continuously on two stages in one area so you don’t miss a beat. Festivities also include a Kidsville, artisan vendors, food and drink, live painting, an auction and much more. This festival is a family-friendly event, creating an all-ages audience.
WHEN: October 4-7
WHERE: Joshua Tree Lake Campground – 2601 Sunfair Road, Joshua Tree, California 92252
WEBSITE: palm-desert.org
Free Fall Concerts
Residents and visitors alike flock to the Palm Desert Civic Center Park every Thursday evening in May and October for the City’s free Concerts in the Park. Held on the terraced lawn of the Civic Center Park Amphitheater, music lovers can look forward to diverse musical offerings that may range from reggae to R&B, and from country to indie.
This October 2018 schedule is especially exciting since it brings in musicians from Canada, Boston, and Austin. Here’s the line-up:
- October 4: Santanaways (Santana Tribute Band)
- October 11: The Dreamboats (Vintage Rock ‘n Roll)
- October 18: Twisted Pine (Folk/Alternative)
- October 25: Hot Club of Cowtown (Hot Jazz/Western Swing)
Each concert begins at 6pm. Music lovers are encouraged to bring a blanket or a chair with them in order to sit back, relax and enjoy live music under the stars. Food trucks are on hand to offer up mobile culinary creations, or concertgoers can bring a picnic along to enjoy with the show. Alcoholic beverages and smoking are prohibited in the park.
WHEN: October 4-25, Thursdays
WHERE: Civic Center Park – 43900 San Pablo Ave, Palm Desert, CA 92260
WEBSITE: palm-desert.org
La Gran Fiesta
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens invites everyone to join the big party at its annual La Gran Fiesta on Saturday, October 13, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15) the zoo is offering one free child admission for every paid adult, which is also valid on Sunday, October 14.
The celebration of culture includes musical entertainment from mariachi groups to youth Folklorico dancers, arts and crafts, as well as authentic Mexican cuisine. Guests also will have the opportunity to enjoy a treasure hunt throughout the park and redeem their completed map for a free carousel ride. As a special gift, the first 1,000 guests will receive a pepper plant cultivated and grown at The Living Desert (one per person while supplies last).
During La Gran Fiesta, The Living Desert will also be raising awareness of the plight of the vaquita, the world’s most endangered marine mammal. Current estimates state there are fewer than 30 of these small porpoise left in the northern Gulf of California. Guests are encouraged to ‘adopt’ a vaquita to help support the cause with all proceeds going to support the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ SAFE (Saving Animals from Extinction) vaquita conservation action plan.
WHEN: October 13, 9:00am-12:00pm
WHERE: The Living Desert – 47900 Portola Ave., Palm Desert, CA 92260
WEBSITE: livingdesert.org
12th Annual Paint El Paseo Pink
Join local Coachella Valley residents at the Desert Cancer Foundation’s 12th Annual Paint El Paseo Pink walk for breast cancer awareness on Saturday, October 13, 2018, at The Gardens on El Paseo in Palm Desert!
This year’s Paint El Paseo Pink will be better than ever! We are excited to announce that once again Paint El Paseo Pink will take over the entire street of El Paseo, from Portola to Hwy 74. Surrounded by the gorgeous, lush landscape and boutique shops along the route of El Paseo, walkers will be able to experience live music, DJs, browse merchant shops, all while helping to support life-saving breast cancer screening, diagnostic and treatment services for our local valley residents!
Registration is only $25 per person! You can choose to register as an individual, or even build or join a team! Register today and help us make Desert Cancer Foundation’s 12th Annual Paint El Paseo Pink the most exciting and impactful event this year!
All proceeds raised from Paint El Paseo Pink will benefit Desert Cancer Foundation’s Suzanne Jackson Breast Cancer Fund and Patient Assistance Programs for cancer screening, diagnostic and treatment services for local Coachella Valley residents.
WHEN: October 13
WHERE: The Gardens on El Paseo – 73545 El Paseo, Palm Desert, California 92260
WEBSITE: pepp.desertcancerfoundation.org
Palm Springs Modernism Week Show + Sale Fall Edition
The Fifth Annual Palm Springs Modernism Show & Sale — Fall Edition will feature 40 premier national and international dealers offering furniture, decorative and fine arts representing all design movements of the 20th Century returning to Palm Springs Convention Center.
An early buying preview reception benefiting Modernism Week will be held Friday evening, October 19th from 6pm to 8pm. Tickets are $60 in advance and $75 at the door and offer a festive wine reception with hors-d’oeuvres along with live music along with an opportunity for serious collectors to get first dibs on the thousands of fantastic items for sale before it opens to the public on Friday.
WHEN: October 19-21
WHERE: Palm Springs Convention Center – 277 N Avenida Caballeros, Palm Springs, CA 92262
WEBSITE: fall.palmspringsmodernism.com
Howl-O-Ween
It’s time to get costumes ready for the 24th annual H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation’s Howl-O-Ween at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. This not-so-spooky family zoo adventure is set for Saturday, October 27, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and Wednesday, October 31, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Guests are invited to wear their favorite costumes and enjoy wildly exciting activities and live entertainment. Howl-O-Ween participants under 12 years are encouraged to bring a reusable bag to hit the trick-or-treat trail at the large variety of treat stations.
Attendees will enjoy more than a thousand themed Halloween lights and décor throughout most of the park, plus a variety of carnival games including pumpkin bowling and Quidditch. Additional activities include arts and crafts, a monster maze, and wizard workshop. A magician will be performing in Village WaTutu, DJ “Dynamic Dave” will be spinning tunes, and fun photo opportunities also will be available.
The Howl-O-Ween daytime event on Sunday, October 29 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon is free to members and with paid admission. Halloween night, Wednesday, October 31 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. is free to members and $10 for non-members.
WHEN: October 27, 9:00am-12:00pm and October 31, 6:00pm-8:30pm
WHERE: The Living Desert – 47900 Portola Ave., Palm Desert, CA 92260
WEBSITE: livingdesert.org
Famous El Paseo Golf Cart Parade
The Palm Desert Golf Cart Parade, the largest parade of its kind in the world, will celebrate 54 years in 2018. This one-of-a-kind parade is the longest running in the Coachella Valley. Not only is the parade fun, colorful and festive event, it also serves as a unique vehicle for bringing the community together!
This year’s theme is an opportunity for the community to showcase the different types of superheroes. From your typical comic book superhero to a police officer, fireman, veteran, teacher, child, mom, the list of superheroes is endless.
WHEN: October 28
WHERE: Palm Desert Golf Cart Parade – 72559 Highway 111, Palm Desert, CA 92260
WEBSITE: golfcartparade.com
Halloween Spooktacular
Trick or Treat, Meet Your Fire and Police, and Win a Bicycle with a Cool Seat at Cathedral City’s Halloween Spooktacular! The Cathedral City Police Department, Cathedral City Fire Department, and City of Cathedral City’s Special Events bring to you the Halloween Spooktacular, Sunday, October 28, 2018, from 12-3 pm. Halloween Spooktacular will include free admission as well as exhibits sponsored by non-profit organizations, the Cathedral City Police Department and Cathedral City Fire Department. Families are encouraged to come to this fun, interactive event where children can trick or treat in a safe environment. Children will even get a limited number of free trick or treat bags so that they can go home and celebrate with their family in their own neighborhoods as well. In addition to games and trick or treating, families can interact with fire trucks, police vehicles, police motorcycle patrols, and the men and women who serve in those departments. This creates an opportunity for residents to connect with public safety officials to build safe communities in Cathedral City. The event will also feature an hourly costume contest. The City will donate several bicycles for a Halloween Costume Contest during the festivities. It will be a Spooktacular time!
WHEN: October 28, 12:00pm-3:00pm
WHERE: Downtown Cathedral City – 68600 Avenida Lalo Guerrero, Cathedral City, California 92234
WEBSITE: discovercathedralcity.com
