Come Celebrate the Holidays in Palm Springs!

A special PalmSprings.com Spotlight guest post by Amy Blaisdell, Communications Director, City of Palm Springs.

Palm Springs, with our year-round sunshine and relaxed desert lifestyle, is truly like no place else when it comes to celebrating the holidays in high style! The City is currently the hippest and most happening resort destination in Southern California and beyond–and there’s so much to see and do, you can’t possibly get bored, especially in December!

Here are a few fun and festive recommendations on special holiday events you simply won’t want to miss in the City of Palm Springs!

Thursday, Nov. 29, 5 p,m, the City of Palm Springs Annual Holiday Tree Lighting. The lighting of the tree is 5:15 p.m. sharp in Frances Stevens Park, 555 N. Palm Canyon Drive. Join the City Council and community leaders Helene Galen, Harold Matzner, Jim Houston, and Palm Springs Chamber ATHENA honorees Annette Bloch, Sgt. Melissa Desmarais–and Santa Claus, of course–for the lighting of the City’s magnificent “green” Holiday Tree adorned in thousands of energy efficient bulbs. Free energy efficient holiday lights will be available for the first 100 Palm Springs residents who turn in used lights for recycling at the ceremony. This year the City of Palm Springs has partnered with FIND Food Bank of the Coachella Valley to help feed the hungry during the holidays, please bring one canned food item or more to help those in need. Free cookies and hot cocoa and holiday caroling will also be on hand.

Saturday, Dec. 1, 5:45 p.m. The 21st annual Palm Springs Festival of Lights, presented by the City of Palm Springs, P.S. Resorts and the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. Parade starts at Palm Canyon Drive and Ramon Road and concludes at Tamarisk. Featuring twinkling lights, magnificent marching bands, huge Macy’s-style holiday-themed balloons and spectacular floats adorned in thousands of holiday lights. Celebrity Grand Marshal is legendary Hollywood producer and local resident Jerry Weintruab, Community Grand Marshals are Harold Matzner and Jim Houston. This year’s Guardian Angel is local philanthropist Helene Galen. And be sure to come early, because at 5 p.m., Mayor Steve Pougnet and the City Council will pay tribute to Celebrity Grand Marshal Jerry Weintraub at Granvia Valmonte and Palm Canyon as the city renames Palm Canyon Drive “Jerry Weintraub Drive” for one day only on the day of the parade. The community is invited to attend! For more information, please visit www.psfestivaloflights.com.

Dec. 1 – Dec. 22. P.S. It’s Christmas, presented by P.S. Resorts and the Dr. Carol Channing and Harry Kullijian Foundation for the the Arts. Free holiday concerts at the “Forever Marilyn” Sculpture on the corner of Palm Canyon Drive and Tahquitz Canyon Way. For more information on concerts, go to visitpalmsprings.com.

Thursday, Dec. 13, 4 p.m. – 8 p.m., the 17th Annual Palm Springs Walking Tour of Inns. Tour kicks off at the Palm Springs Art Museum, 101 Museum Drive, and winds through the Historic Tennis District. Destinations participating in the tour include the Palm Mountain Resort, The Chase Hotel, Casa Cody Inn, San Giuliano Hotel, Calla Lily Inn, Andalusian Court, Old Ranch Inn, Korakia Pensione, Desert Hills Hotel, Palm Springs Tennis Club Resort, Spencer’s Restaurant, Palm Springs Woman’s Club, Del Marcos Hotel, Viceroy Resort & Spa and the McCallum Adobe. For more information, please visit www.visitpalmsprings.com.

Happy Holidays!

For more on best of the best Palm Springs Events, please bookmark the PalmSprings.com Calendar of Events.

About Amy: Amy Blaisdell is a Coachella Valley native. As Director of Communications for the City of Palm Springs, Amy is the city’s liaison to both the public and the media, keeping them informed on upcoming events as well as operations and policies of city government.  Amy is a former journalist and has served on many committees in various organizations including Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce ATHENA Awards; Palm Springs  Festival of Lights Parade; Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet’s Healthy You Campaign; Healthy Planet 5K Run to Fight Childhood Obesity; and St. Theresa School (Public Relations Chair and Holiday Fashion Gala & Fundraiser).