It's the Holiday Season! So Whoop-di-Do and Dickery Dock... and, well, you know the rest. It's that time of year and there is a lot of fun things happening in Cochella County. Here's just some of our favorites:
Renaissance Indian Wells Celebration -
From 8am - 5pm today! December 1 is the Celebration at the Resort. It starts with the tree lighting ceremony but goes on throughout the month with buffets, concerts, and performances. Here's the schedule:
December 1
Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony: 6:00 p.m.
Choral Performance, Sacred Heart Show Choir: 6:15 p.m.
** December 8
Choral Performance, Cathedral City High School, 4:00 p.m.
** December 16
Choral Performance by Cathedral City High School: 4:00 p.m.
** December 24 –
Santa’s Christmas Buffet: 8:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. – A favorite holiday tradition, as Santa makes the rounds each hour. Guests are invited to stop by and take a picture with him — or tell him about those last minute gift ideas they’ve been dreaming of.
** December 25 –
Gingerbread House Decorating: 11 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (reservation required, please call 760.773.4649) – The presents are opened, the family’s all here, now gather together gingerbread decorating and good cheer!
** December 26 –
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides: 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. – Catch a ride on a real horse-drawn carriage and sit back while taking in breathtaking views of the resort.
** December 27 –
Holiday Mixology Class: 5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. – Featuring the resort’s own own Bobby the Bartender, sharing twists on favorite holiday cocktails. Sampling Encouraged. Must be 21 to participate.
** December 30 – Day 9 of Holiday Vacation to RenIW
Ugly Sweater Decorating: 11 a.m.-3:00 p.m., $15 each. Just in time for the December 31 dance party, join in decorating UGLY SWEATERS.Includes one youth crewneck sweater, plus all the decoration trimming to personalize it.
** CHRISTMAS BUFFET IN CAVA
Monday, December 25, 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Adults $55, children ages 3-12 $25 (excluding tax, gratuity & added beverages)
For those seeking memorable Christmas Day dining, Renaissance Indian Wells presents Christmas Buffet in CAVA, featuring soup, salads, shrimp cocktail, sushi, raw bar selections, made-to-order risotto, vegetables, sides and holiday trimmings, and main dishes including prime rib, roasted turkey, bone-in ham, salmon, leg of lamb and honey/brown-sugar-glazed ham. Dessert highlights include a made-to-order waffle station, cheese blintz station and an array of sweet holiday treats. Reserve at 760-773-4444. [Source Palm Springs Life]
WildLights
At the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens through December 24 from 6pm - 9pm is the Wildlights. Lights take over the zoo and cover just about everything that will stand still. Over a million lights celebrate the holiday season. Admission to the Zoo will get you into the light show and this is something not to miss!
RoboLights
In the same vein of celebration is the RoboLifhts, a local sensation by Palm Springs artist Kenny Irzin Js. This is the largest residential light display in the country! This is truly a winter wonderland! Don't miss it! It's located in the Movie Colony neighborhood on 1077 E. Granvia Valmonte in Palm Springs. Lights are on from 4 pm - 9:30 pm and admission is free but donations are always accepted.
Festival of Lights Parade
Take in all the sights on December 2 as Palm Springs offers its 25th annual festival of lights parade. Nearly 100 floats, bands, and performers will head down Palm Canyon Drive in downtown Palm Springs starting at 5:45pm. Grab a seat, your blanket, and cozy jackets and enjoy the show.
Santa Fly-in and Winter Fun Land at the Palm Springs Air Museum
December 9 and 10 is a special treat and you can come see Santa as he flies into the museum at 11 am. Kids 12 and under are free with a paying adult. There will be real snow for hours, fun, entertainment and more!
Santa Paws 5K Walk
We love this one! A 5K race through Las Palomas neighborhood of Palm Springs on December 16 from 9 am - 11 am.This walk benefits the Guide Dogs of the Desert and all are willing to attend with their four-legged friends or not. Online event registration is $35 per person and children ages 10 and under can partake in elf dash after the race at just $5 per runner.
Holiday Tree Lightings
City of Desert Hot Springs | Dec. 1
City of La Quinta | Dec. 1
City of Indio | Dec. 2
City of Coachella | Dec. 6
From our family to yours, have a safe and happy Holiday Season!