Looking for something to do in the valley this week? The Desert Sun’s weekly events roundup is here to help.
Kids celebrate the new year with countdown and balloon drop
Kids celebrate with a balloon drop at noon on New Year’s Eve 2025 at the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert in Rancho Mirage, Calif., Dec. 31, 2024.
I hope you had a lovely holiday week, fellow desert dwellers. But we’re not quite done with the holidays yet.
This week includes, of course, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, and there are several celebrations scheduled for all corners of the Coachella Valley.
Which one should you choose? Here are The Desert Sun’s picks for the top celebrations to attend the week of Monday, Dec. 29 in the Coachella Valley and surrounding communities. (If you’d like to submit an upcoming event of your own for a future 10 things to do roundup, see the bottom of this article for directions.)
New Year’s Eve Run in Old Town La Quinta
The Codex Creation Committee will be hosting a New Year’s Eve run in Old Town La Quinta. The “last run of the year” will allow participants to earn one raffle ticket per mile walked or run from 7 to 9 a.m. The grand prize is $1,000. Online registration will open on Wednesday, Dec. 17 at www.runwithlosmuertos.com, and on-site registration will open at 6:30 a.m. the morning of the run. The Codex Creation Committee is a Coachella Valley-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering communities through educational opportunities in various fields, including art, culture, health, wellness, technology and entertainment.
When: 7-9 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31
Where: Main Street, Old Town La Quinta
Cost: Free
More info: runwithlosmuertos.com
Noon Year’s Eve Event at Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert
Looking for something to do with the kids this New Year’s Eve? Celebrate the holiday at this family friendly event that won’t even affect bedtime. Every year, Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert rings in the new year nice and early — at, you guessed it, noon — with a bash featuring a dance party and balloon drop at noon. Note: The museum is closed for regular admission on New Year’s Eve, so you must purchase an event ticket to get in.
When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31
Where: Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert, 71-701 Gerald Ford Drive, Rancho Mirage
Cost: $10 for members, $20 for non-members
More info: cdmod.org
‘Afterglow’ New Year’s Eve at Palm Springs Surf Club
The Palm Springs Surf Club presents Afterglow, an evening of light, rhythm and champagne. Begin the night with a three-course dinner, then celebrate across two spaces with Lisa Lynn & the Broken Hallelujahs live in the main ballroom and DJ Zephyr spinning in the atrium. Enjoy craft cocktails, dancing and a champagne toast at midnight.
When: 9 p.m. (or 5:30 or 7:30 p.m. for dinner seating) Wednesday, Dec. 31
Where: Palm Springs Surf Club, 1500 S. Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs
Cost: $80 dinner only, $75 party only or $150 dinner and party
More info: palmspringssurfclub.com
Agua Caliente Casinos New Year’s Eve parties
Agua Caliente Casinos will ring in 2026 with New Year’s Eve parties at all three of its locations (Cathedral City, Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage) with the theme of Frozen Oasis. Guests will “step into a world where icy elegance and cool desert nights meet the electric vibes and excitement of the upcoming new year,” as the casino press release states. You could go see KC and The Sunshine Band (with special guest Sister Sledge) live at The Show at Agua Caliente Rancho Mirage; enjoy food trucks, photo ops, party favors and live music by Ben Mallare Band and DJ Mika Gold at Agua Caliente Palm Springs; or enjoy a drone show and live performances by The New Originals and DJ Ebony at Agua Caliente Cathedral City — so you can’t go wrong.
When: Red carpet 4-6 p.m. and show at 7 p.m. at The Show in Rancho Mirage; 8 p.m. at Agua Caliente Palm Springs, and 8 p.m. at Agua Caliente Cathedral City on Wednesday, Dec. 31
Where: All three Agua Caliente Casinos locations (68-960 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Cathedral City; 401 E. Amado Road, Palm Springs; 32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage)
Cost: From $74.95 for the Agua Caliente Rancho Mirage event, $59.95-$149.95 for Agua Caliente Palm Springs event, and free admission at the Agua Caliente Cathedral City event
More info: aguacalientecasinos.com/casino/
Oscar’s New Year’s Eve Ball Drop
Welcome the new year with four fabulous entertainers — Jackie Beat, Sherry Vine, Billy L’Amour and Candis Cayne — at Oscar’s New Year’s Eve Ball Drop. This fierce foursome will get audiences laughing with their razor-sharp comedy quips and other surprises they have in store. Tickets can be purchased for two show times alone or with a dinner buffet. Shows will take place outdoors, so guests are advised to dress warmly.
When: 6:30 and 10 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31
Where: Oscar’s Palm Springs, 125 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Suite 108, Palm Springs
Cost: $89.95-$169.95
More info: oscarspalmsprings.com/etn/
One Eleven Bar 2026 New Year’s Eve Celebration
One Eleven Bar will ring in 2026 with Vanity Halston featuring live performances all night. Admission includes a 9 p.m. and midnight champagne toast, light bites, the chance to mix and mingle with performers and, of course, the grand show.
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31
Where: One Eleven Bar, 67-555 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Cathedral City
Cost: $50 (early bird general admission until Dec. 26, afterwards tickets cost $65), $320 VIP table for four
More info: eventbrite.com
2026 New Year’s Eve Bash featuring JAYA
Head to the Indian Wells Country Club for a night full of good food, live music and plenty of entertainment. Comedian Justin Rupple of “America’s Got Talent” is hosting the evening, which will feature live performances from JAYA (known as the “Queen of Soul” in the Philippines), Bryan Magsayo and Leo Mercedez, a dinner buffet from South of the Border and a countdown celebration with a complimentary New Year’s toast.
When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31
Where: Indian Wells Country Club, 46-000 Club Drive, Indian Wells
Cost: $150 table seating, $175 VIP table seating and $2,000 reserved VIP table for 10 guests
More info: eventbrite.com
2026 New Year’s Eve Bash Featuring Live Music from Avenida
Head to Big Rock Pub for a night of entertainment, fun and plenty of bubbles. The evening includes a special curated four-course dinner from Chef Tyler (including your choice of short rib, lamb meatloaf or pan seared Norwegian halibut), a performance from the band Avenida and a variety of drinks to toast to the new year with.
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31
Where: Big Rock Pub, 79-940 Westward Ho Drive, Indio
Cost: $25 party only or $90 dinner package
More info: eventbrite.com
New Year’s Eve Celebration with Journey Tribute Band Journey Through Time
Don’t stop believing as the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve. Sing along to your favorite Journey tunes and dance the night away with the tribute band Journey Through Time at this show at Miracle Springs Resort & Spa.
When: 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31
Where: Miracle Springs Resort & Spa, 10-625 Palm Drive, Desert Hot Springs
Cost: $79 general admission, $40 children ages 12 and under
More info: eventbrite.com
Black Crystal Wolf Kids at Pappy & Harriet’s
Black Crystal Wolf Kids are returning to Pappy and Harriet’s for another epic New Year’s Eve performance. The self-professed “World’s First Indie Rock Tribute Band” played and sold-out Pappy’s for NYE three times before the pandemic, and this will mark the musicians’ first NYE show in Pioneertown since 2020. Come celebrate their return this week at one of the high desert’s most beloved venues.
When: Doors at 9 p.m., show at 10 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31
Where: Pappy & Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace (indoor stage), 53-688 Pioneertown Road, Pioneertown
Cost: $37.56
More info: pappyandharriets.com
To submit an event for The Desert Sun’s consideration in future 10 things to do stories, send an email to [email protected] with the time, date, location and price of admission for your event, as well as a brief event description. Photos are not required, but are highly encouraged as part of the submission.
Tip: Send your submission as early as possible to make sure we have it in time, and to make sure your event jumps out in our inbox, put “10 things to do submission” in the email subject line.
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.desertsun.com ’
