FEATURED ATTRACTIONS
Arts & Culture
Museums, Theatres & Historic Landmarks
From the presidential grounds of Sunnylands to the cockpit of a WWII Mustang — the valley’s arts and culture experiences span centuries, continents, and creative disciplines. Museums, midcentury masterpieces, performing arts, and living history — the Coachella Valley’s cultural life is as rich as its landscape.
PRESIDENTIAL ESTATE
HISTORIC LANDMARK
Sunnylands Center & Gardens
The 200-acre Annenberg estate — a midcentury modern masterpiece and the “Camp David of the West.” This presidential retreat hosted eight US presidents, foreign dignitaries, and world leaders. Guided house tours and nine acres of wildflower gardens are open to the public.
Historic
Architecture
Gardens
Est. 1936
Performing Arts
The Plaza Theatre
Palm Springs’ iconic Spanish Colonial Revival theatre — restored to its 1936 glory and home to The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies. A landmark of downtown Palm Springs cultural life.
Palm Springs
Theater
100 Years
History & Heritage
Coachella Valley History Museum
The valley’s richest historical collection — featuring the world’s only Date Museum, the 1909 Smiley-Tyler Adobe House, Native Cahuilla culture exhibits, and beautifully maintained heritage gardens.
Indio
Museum
Architecture
Midcentury Design
PS Architecture — Midcentury Modern
Palm Springs is a living museum of midcentury modern architecture. From Alexander homes to Albert Frey masterpieces — the city’s built environment is unlike anywhere else on earth.
Palm Springs
Architecture
WWII Collection
Aviation History
Palm Springs Air Museum
One of the finest collections of WWII-era flying aircraft in the world — P-51 Mustangs, B-17 bombers, and more, maintained in flyable condition under the spectacular desert sky.
Palm Springs Airport
Museum
Village Green
Local Heritage
Palm Springs Historical Society
The 1893 Miss Cornelia’s Home at Village Green Heritage Center — one of the oldest buildings in Palm Springs, curated by the Historical Society. A quiet, essential stop for anyone curious about the city’s origins.
Village Green, PS
Heritage
National Park
Nature & Music
Joshua Tree Music Festival
A beloved biannual music and arts festival set within the otherworldly landscape of Joshua Tree National Park — just 30 minutes from Palm Springs. Music, art installations, camping, and desert magic.
Joshua Tree NP
Seasonal
FULL DIRECTORY
All Arts & Culture Listings
Every gallery, theatre, tour, and festival worth knowing in the Coachella Valley — curated by people who live and work here.
CONCIERGE TIP
“Plan your visit around Modernism Week in February — guided architecture tours, open houses, and lectures make it the valley’s finest cultural week of the year.”
— The Desert Concierges Association
SEASONAL EVENTS
Items marked Seasonal are time-limited annual events. Contact our team for current dates and ticket information.
01
Cultural Museum
Agua Caliente Cultural Museum
The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians’ landmark museum celebrating the Indigenous heritage of the Coachella Valley — with rotating exhibits, cultural programming, and artifacts from the tribe’s deep history on this land.
Indigenous
02
Theater & Performing Arts
Desert Theatreworks
A beloved community theater company presenting musicals, comedies, and dramas in the Coachella Valley. Known for high-production-value shows and deep community engagement throughout the season.
Theatre
03
Fine Art Museum
Palm Springs Art Museum
The valley’s premier art institution — featuring contemporary, modern, and Native American art across three locations. The Architecture and Design Center (Est. 1935) is one of the finest collections of desert-inspired design.
Museum
04
Performing Arts
McCallum Theatre
A 1,127-seat performing arts center in Palm Desert presenting Broadway tours, world-class concerts, comedy, and dance year-round. The undisputed cultural anchor of the Coachella Valley.
Theater
05
Architecture Tours
Palm Springs Architecture — Midcentury Modern Tours
Expert-led small-group driving and walking tours of Palm Springs’ world-famous midcentury modern homes — exploring works by Richard Neutra, Albert Frey, William Krisel, and Donald Wexler.
Architecture
06
Film Festival
Palm Springs Film Festival
One of the world’s most prestigious short film festivals — held each June in Palm Springs, drawing filmmakers and industry professionals from around the globe for screenings, panels, and awards.
Seasonal
07
Historic Site
Cabot's Pueblo Museum
A 35-room Hopi-inspired pueblo hand-built by one eccentric man, Cabot Yerxa, over 30 years beginning in 1913. One of the most remarkable and personal historic structures in the American Southwest.
Historic
08
Design Museum
The Museum of Architecture and Design
Part of the Palm Springs Art Museum system, this satellite location focuses on the architectural and design history that made Palm Springs famous — from Spanish Colonial to the boldest midcentury experiments.
Design
09
Architecture Experience
The Albert Frey House II Experience
A rare opportunity to visit master architect Albert Frey’s personal home, perched on a hillside above Palm Springs with boulders integrated directly into the living space. One of the most photographed homes in California.
Tour
10
Architecture Tour
The Modern Tour Palm Springs
A professionally guided architectural tour of Palm Springs’ greatest midcentury modern homes and buildings — offered in partnership with the Palm Springs Modern Committee (PS Mod).
Tour
11
Art Installation
Desert X
A site-specific contemporary art biennial spread across the Coachella Valley’s public landscape — large-scale works by internationally recognized artists responding to the desert environment.
Seasonal
12
Architecture Tour
The Modern Tour Palm Springs
A professionally guided architectural tour of Palm Springs’ greatest midcentury modern homes and buildings — offered in partnership with the Palm Springs Modern Committee (PS Mod).
Tour
13
outdoor art
Desert Plein Air
An annual outdoor painting event where artists from across the country set up easels across the Coachella Valley to paint the desert landscape en plein air — with public exhibitions and sales.
SEASONAL
14
architecture community
PS Mod Squad
The grassroots community behind Modernism Week and Palm Springs’ global reputation for midcentury modern architecture — hosting events, tours, lectures, and docent-led experiences throughout the year.
TOUR
Explore the Arts Scene
Let our team curate a cultural itinerary across galleries, museums, architecture tours, and performances throughout the Coachella Valley.