Kids celebrate the new year with countdown and balloon drop<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/media-video><\/div>\n I hope you had a lovely holiday week, fellow desert dwellers. But we’re not quite done with the holidays yet.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019d 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.)<\/p>\n The Codex Creation Committee will be hosting a New Year’s Eve run in Old Town La Quinta. The \u201clast run of the year\u201d 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.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong>\u00a07-9 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong>\u00a0Main Street, Old Town La Quinta<\/p>\n Cost:<\/strong>\u00a0Free<\/p>\n More info:<\/strong> runwithlosmuertos.com<\/a><\/p>\n 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 \u2014 at, you guessed it, noon \u2014 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.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong>\u00a010 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong>\u00a0Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert, 71-701 Gerald Ford Drive, Rancho Mirage<\/p>\n Cost:<\/strong>\u00a0$10 for members, $20 for non-members<\/p>\n More info:<\/strong>\u00a0cdmod.org<\/a><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong>\u00a09 p.m. (or 5:30 or 7:30 p.m. for dinner seating) Wednesday, Dec. 31<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong>\u00a0Palm Springs Surf Club, 1500 S. Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs<\/p>\n Cost:<\/strong>\u00a0$80 dinner only, $75 party only or $150 dinner and party<\/p>\n More info:<\/strong>\u00a0palmspringssurfclub.com<\/a><\/p>\n Agua Caliente Casinos will ring in 2026 with New Year\u2019s 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 \u2014 so you can’t go wrong.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong>\u00a0Red 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<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong>\u00a0All 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)<\/p>\n Cost:<\/strong>\u00a0From $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<\/p>\n More info:<\/strong>\u00a0aguacalientecasinos.com\/casino\/<\/a><\/p>\n Welcome the new year with four fabulous entertainers \u2014 Jackie Beat, Sherry Vine, Billy L\u2019Amour and Candis Cayne \u2014 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.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong>\u00a06:30 and 10 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong>\u00a0Oscar’s Palm Springs, 125 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Suite 108, Palm Springs<\/p>\n Cost:<\/strong>\u00a0$89.95-$169.95<\/p>\n More info:<\/strong>\u00a0oscarspalmsprings.com\/etn\/<\/a><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong>\u00a08 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong>\u00a0One Eleven Bar, 67-555 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Cathedral City<\/p>\n Cost:<\/strong>\u00a0$50 (early bird general admission until Dec. 26, afterwards tickets cost $65), $320 VIP table for four<\/p>\n More info:<\/strong>\u00a0eventbrite.com<\/a><\/p>\n 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\u2019s toast.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong>\u00a07:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong>\u00a0Indian Wells Country Club, 46-000 Club Drive, Indian Wells<\/p>\n Cost:<\/strong>\u00a0$150 table seating, $175 VIP table seating and $2,000 reserved VIP table for 10 guests<\/p>\n More info:<\/strong>\u00a0eventbrite.com<\/a><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong>\u00a08 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong>\u00a0Big Rock Pub, 79-940 Westward Ho Drive, Indio<\/p>\n Cost:<\/strong>\u00a0$25 party only or $90 dinner package<\/p>\n More info:<\/strong>\u00a0eventbrite.com<\/a><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong>\u00a08:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong>\u00a0Miracle Springs Resort & Spa, 10-625 Palm Drive, Desert Hot Springs<\/p>\n Cost:<\/strong>\u00a0$79 general admission, $40 children ages 12 and under<\/p>\n
\nLooking for something to do in the valley this week? The Desert Sun’s weekly events roundup is here to help.<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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<\/div>\n<\/div>\nNew Year’s Eve Run in Old Town La Quinta<\/h2>\n
Noon Year’s Eve Event at Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert<\/h2>\n
‘Afterglow’ New Year\u2019s Eve at Palm Springs Surf Club<\/h2>\n
Agua Caliente Casinos New Year’s Eve parties<\/h2>\n
Oscar’s New Year’s Eve Ball Drop<\/h2>\n
One Eleven Bar 2026 New Year’s Eve Celebration<\/h2>\n
2026 New Year’s Eve Bash featuring JAYA<\/h2>\n
2026 New Year’s Eve Bash Featuring Live Music from Avenida<\/h2>\n
New Year’s Eve Celebration with Journey Tribute Band Journey Through Time<\/h2>\n