Palm Springs in December: Festival of Lights, Holiday Weeks and Winter Sun
Winter's first month - holiday lights, desert-warm days and the season's busiest stretch
Palm Springs Spots Editors · Published Sep 10, 2026 · Updated Sep 10, 2026
December splits neatly in two: the first three weeks are the high season at its most pleasant - warm days, cool nights, festive events - and the final week is one of the busiest (and priciest) stretches of the entire year as holiday travelers arrive. Events below were checked against official sources on September 10, 2026.
| When | What it's like | Book ahead? |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 1-4 | Quiet, ideal weather, season value | No |
| Dec 5-6 | Parade + Tamale Festival weekend, busy downtown | Weekend hotel and dinners |
| Dec 7-19 | The sweet spot: festive, warm days, manageable | Weekend restaurants |
| Dec 20-31 | Peak of peak: minimum stays, top rates, crowds | Yes - everything, months ahead |
The weather
Peak desert winter: afternoons warm enough for the pool or the golf course, evenings cold enough that you will want a real jacket after dark. Rain is rare but possible. Days are short - plan outdoor things for midday. The weather by month guide has the full ranges.
Festival of Lights Parade (December 5, 2026)
Palm Springs' holiday kickoff: an evening parade of illuminated floats down Palm Canyon Drive, held the first Saturday of December - December 5 in 2026, confirmed against the organiser's calendar. Downtown fills up; arrive well before dark, park once, and make an evening of it with dinner downtown.
Indio International Tamale Festival (December 5-6, 2026)
The same weekend, twenty minutes downvalley: one of the valley's most beloved food festivals, with tamale vendors, music and a carnival atmosphere in Old Town Indio. Easy to pair with the parade for a full festive weekend - tamales Saturday, lights Saturday night.
The holiday stretch
From about December 20 through New Year's, the valley runs at full capacity: hotels at peak rates with minimum stays, restaurants booked out, the Tramway and Indian Canyons at their busiest. If this is your window, book everything - hotel, dinners, Tramway timed tickets - as early as you can. If your dates are flexible, the first two weeks of December deliver the same weather with a fraction of the crowds and prices.
What to do
Hiking is superb all month - midday starts finally make sense at Indian Canyons and Tahquitz Canyon. The Aerial Tramway often has real snow at the top while the valley floor sits in the 60s and 70s - bring layers. VillageFest runs every Thursday through the season, the farmers markets are in full swing, and a Joshua Tree day trip is at its best. For a structured short trip, the weekend itinerary works as written.
FAQ
- Is December a good time to visit Palm Springs?
- Yes - warm sunny afternoons, cool evenings, hiking at its best and a full holiday events calendar. The trade-off is the Christmas-to-New-Year week, which is the busiest and most expensive stretch of the year.
- When is the Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade 2026?
- Saturday, December 5, 2026 - an evening parade of illuminated floats down Palm Canyon Drive. Confirmed against the organiser's calendar. Arrive before dark; downtown fills up.
- What is the weather like in Palm Springs in December?
- Classic desert winter: afternoons warm enough for the pool or golf, evenings cold enough for a real jacket. Rain is rare. Plan outdoor activities for midday when the sun is up and warmest.
- How busy is Palm Springs at Christmas?
- Very - the Christmas-through-New-Year week runs at full capacity with hotel minimum stays, peak rates and booked-out restaurants. Book everything well in advance, or come in the first half of December instead.
- Can you swim in Palm Springs in December?
- Yes on most afternoons - daytime highs are usually pool-comfortable in the sun, and most resort pools are heated. Evenings are too cold for swimming; it is a midday activity this month.
- What else happens in December besides the parade?
- The Indio International Tamale Festival runs the same weekend (December 5-6, 2026), VillageFest continues every Thursday, the weekend farmers markets are in full swing, and the Aerial Tramway often has snow at the top.
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In this guide
The hotels
In this guide
Where to go
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
The world's largest rotating tram car climbs 8,500 feet from the desert floor to alpine forest in ten minutes. Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is in Palm Springs. Admission: Around $30 adults. Hours: Daily from 10am (8am weekends). Parking: Large lot; fills by 11am in winter. This is an outdoor activity. From May through September, go at or before sunrise, carry more water than you think you need, and treat midday heat as a hard stop. It works with kids in tow. It is 30-40 degrees colder at the top. Bring a jacket even in July.
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