Pretty sure May in Palm Springs is gonna be like everyone else’s early July: hot and sunny, but sans the swarms of bugs you find everywhere else. If I didn’t live here, I would be looking at my options of where to stay on my visit.
The big festivals are over, snowbirds will have left, and traffic will be peaceful again. More importantly, summer rates are upon us, so book a cozy vacation for two or weekend getaway with your besties in the place locals call paradise.
Here’s what’s going on in May (as well as some reminders of a few important future events):
Special events
May 3: Rock the Park — Journey cover band, 7 to 9 p.m., Downtown Park next to Marilyn (Belardo and Museum Way).
May 5-7: Superbloom Art Event — Local artists display their latest depictions of the superbloom.
May 5: Cinco de Mayo celebration at Low Desert — One of our newest Mexican restaurants, on the south end in the Smoketree Shopping Center.
May 11: Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival at Palm Springs Cultural Center. Through May 14.
May 17: Movies in the Park: The Girl Can’t Help It, starring Jayne Mansfield. Beer and wine available for purchase. Free event.
May 25: Chef-driven five-course prix fixe meal with wine pairings from Plumpjack Winery at Melvyn’s in the Ingleside Inn. Tickets here.
May 26: Stars on Ice at Acrisure Arena
May 29: Memorial Day Flower Drop at the Palm Springs Air Museum — A fly-by and flower drop of more than 3,000 red and white carnations from a CH-47 Chinook Helicopter. This most impressive ceremony is a salute to the fallen. Visitors are invited to pick up a flower to take home. Flight exhibitions and activities scheduled all day.
May 31: Movies in the Park — Funny Face, with Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire. Beer and wine available for purchase. Free event
Recurring
PS Air: Movies, live music, drinks, food and drag. Oh and it’s kind of on a plane? So fun you’ll never want to touch down.
Reforma Nightclub: Food, dancing, drag shows, it’s the latest nightclub in town.
Purple Room: Rat Pack-y vibes with very cool entertainment, including my favorite show in town, The Judy Show. Great dinner options, too.
PS Underground: Themed dinner shows, and each one is very different. They’re always evolving, always doing something new. Money well spent here.
Oscar’s: From drag to plays to celebrity shows, and their famous 4 p.m. Sunday Tea Dance.
V Wine Lounge: Right out of Mad Men, so many seating areas, all mid-century modern, and an eclectic wine selection. Beer and cocktails, too.
Cascade Lounge in Agua Caliente Spa
Desert Blues Revival: Wednesday nights
Jazzville: Thursday nights
Caliente Comedy: Friday nights
Latin Nights: every Sunday (unticketed)
Welcome to the Cascade Lounge. Photo courtesy of Visit Palm Springs
Palm Springs Cultural Center
Markets: Farmers’ Market on Saturdays, Vintage on designated Sundays.
Come On Up: Weekly local music, great cocktail hour spot, 5 to 7 p.m.
Concerts and Musical Events: Films, concerts, events (I guess I already said that).
Activities
CannaBus Express Tours: What you don’t know about cannabis you’ll know by the time this three-hour tour is through. From growers to distillers to dispensaries, tour guide Lynne rolls with the vibe. As she likes to say, “Let’s ride.”
MOGO Silent Disco: Shut up and dance.
Desert Tasty Tours: This is a three-hour walking tour of Palm Springs. Learn some history, visit the most Instagram-able spot in Palm Springs, and eat delicious food from a variety of restaurants (there are four or five food stops).
Heads up on upcoming big events:
Modernism Week February goes on sale Nov. 1, 2023
Power Trip October – Metal music festival
The Dinah is September 20-24
Pride is November 3-5
That’s it for May. Hope to see you around town, and don’t forget to shop and stay local!
