Palm Springs in December 2026: Holiday Events, Lights & Hotels

The weather and the shape of the day

Use the weather-by-month guide for seasonal context, then check the actual forecast for your visit. Keep layers for evening events and plan outdoor activities around conditions. A December date does not guarantee pool weather, snow at the Tramway or an unrestricted hiking route.

Compare hotels with heated pools if swimming is central to the trip, and confirm the specific pool's heating and access arrangements directly.

Festival of Lights Parade — December 5, 2026

The Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade is listed for Saturday, December 5, in downtown Palm Springs. Use the official parade site for the current route, timing and street information.

The Festival of Lights Parade planning guide covers the 5:45pm start, road closures, parking and accessible viewing.

Plan the meal and arrival around the parade rather than assuming ordinary downtown traffic or parking. This event is earlier in the month, separate from Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Indio International Tamale Festival — December 5–6

The City of Indio confirms December 5–6, 2026 for the Indio International Tamale Festival in downtown Indio. Check its current program before choosing a visit.

It shares the parade weekend, but the two events are in different cities. Leave enough time between stops if combining them, or choose one main event per day.

WildLights — selected December nights

WildLights at The Living Desert operates December 4, 5, 10–12, 17–24 and 26–30, from 6–9 p.m., with last admission at 8:30 p.m. The zoo is in Palm Desert, not downtown Palm Springs.

December 17 is for adults 18 and over. Families should select another operating night. The zoo is closed December 25, and daytime zoo admission does not automatically include WildLights. Our dedicated guide covers the dates, tickets and required break between daytime and evening sessions.

Use hotels near The Living Desert when that evening is the main reason for the stay. Choose a downtown hotel when the parade and Palm Springs dining lead your plans instead.

Christmas week and holiday opening hours

Reserve the lodging, meals and timed attractions your trip depends on. Compare the complete room total, minimum-stay conditions if any, and cancellation terms for your specific dates. No early-December week is guaranteed cheaper or quieter than another.

The Christmas guide separates the parade, holiday-week planning and Christmas Day questions. Confirm December 24–25 operating schedules directly rather than applying normal weekly hours to a holiday.

Other things to do

The Living Desert daytime guide, Palm Springs Art Museum guide and family guide help choose activities by location and interest.

Check VillageFest's calendar for the Thursday you want, including holiday exceptions. For the Aerial Tramway, look at mountain conditions and current operating notices separately from the valley forecast.

Use the weekend itinerary as a structure, then adapt it around the events you have booked. Leave room for transport between Palm Springs, Palm Desert and Indio.

WildLights and Indio festival information checked October 15, 2026 against the official sources linked above. Recheck the parade organizer's current arrival information before visiting.

Snowtopia — December 18–21, 2026

Palm Springs Air Museum lists Snowtopia for December 18–21, from 6–9pm. The Snowtopia family guide explains the separate evening tickets, age-five-and-under free-child offer, paid extras and access to designated event areas.