Here’s an updated December 2025 Palm Springs & Coachella Valley events list with specific dates, locations, and (where available) links —  through the end of December, across Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Cathedral City, and Indio.

🎄 Palm Springs & Coachella Valley December 2025 Events

🎁 Palm Springs Holiday Market at VillageFest

📅 Dec 11 & Dec 18, 2025 (Thursdays)
🕕 6:00–10:00 PM
📍 Palm Canyon Drive, Downtown Palm Springs
🎟️ Free
A festive holiday version of VillageFest with handmade gifts, live music, treats, and lights. (Visit Greater Palm Springs)

👉 Info: https://villagefest.org

🎄 Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade

📅 Saturday, Dec 6, 2025 — 5:45 PM
📍 Palm Canyon Drive (between Ramon Rd & Tachevah Rd), Palm Springs
🎟️ Free
The iconic nighttime holiday parade with floats, balloons, bands and community groups. (Visit Greater Palm Springs)

🎅 Breakfast with Santa — Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

📅 Saturday, Dec 6, 2025 — 8:30–10:30 AM
📍 1 Tramway Rd, Palm Springs
🎟️ Tickets required
Festive breakfast with Santa, included tram fare & holiday story time. (The Palm Springs Post)

👉 Tickets & Details: https://www.pstramway.com

🌲 Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Tree Lighting Ceremony

📅 Sunday, Dec 7, 2025 — 5:30 PM
📍 Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, 1 Tramway Rd
🎟️ Free
Annual holiday tree lighting at Mountain Station with choir and music. (The Palm Springs Post)

📸 Snapshots with Santa

📅 Sunday, Dec 7, 2025 — Noon–2 PM
📍 Palm Springs Downtown Park
🎟️ Free
Bring the family for holiday photos with Santa in the park. (The Palm Springs Post)

🎷 Desert Winds Concert Band Holiday Concert

📅 Wednesday, Dec 10, 2025 — 4:00–5:30 PM
📍 In Front of Starbucks, Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs
🎟️ Free outdoor concert of seasonal favorites. (The Palm Springs Post)

🚶 Walk of the Inns Holiday Tour

📅 Thursday, Dec 11, 2025 — 4:00 PM
📍 Starts at Palm Springs Art Museum, PS
🎟️ Free, self-guided stroll through holiday-decorated boutique hotels. (The Palm Springs Post)

☃️ Snowtopia at Palm Springs Air Museum

📅 Fri–Mon, Dec 19–22, 2025 — 6:00–9:00 PM
📍 745 N Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs
🎟️ Tickets required
Real snow, crafts, Santa, hot cocoa, s’mores and winter fun. (Desert Cities Home)

👉 Tickets & Info: https://palmspringsairmuseum.org/snowtopia/

🎅 Santa Paws 5K & Elf Dash — Palm Springs

📅 Saturday, Dec 20, 2025
🕘 9:00 AM (5K) | Kids’ Elf Dash follows
📍 332 W Alejo Rd, Palm Springs
🎟️ Registration fees apply
A festive Santa-suit 5K fun run/walk (with optional pet dash and kids’ course). (Desert Cities Home)

👉 Register: https://runsignup.com/Race/CA/PalmSprings/PalmSpringsSantaPaws5K

🎸 Duran Duran Live in Concert — Acrisure Arena

📅 Tuesday, Dec 30, 2025 — 7:30 PM
📍 Acrisure Arena, 6155 E Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs
🎟️ Tickets required
Iconic British rock band performing their Invisible Days Tour stop in the desert. (Discover Palm Desert)

👉 Tickets & Info: https://discoverpalmdesert.com/events

📍 Other Holiday Spots & Seasonal Favorites

🍬 Candy Cane Lane — Cathedral City (Neighborhood Lights)

📅 Nightly through Dec 31, 2025
📍 Cathedral City (Residential display)
🎟️ Free
Classic neighborhood holiday lights show — stroll or drive through for festive displays. (Desert Cities Home)

🎄 WildLights at The Living Desert (Palm Desert)

📅 Now–Dec 26, 2025 — 6:00–9:00 PM
📍 47900 Portola Ave, Palm Desert
🎟️ Tickets required
Zoo holiday lights, displays, and seasonal activities nightly through Dec 26. (The Palm Springs Post)

👉 Info & Tickets: https://www.livingdesert.org/wildlights

✨ Helpful Tips

• Some events require advance tickets (like Snowtopia, WildLights and Tramway Santa experiences) — book early to secure your spot. 

• Neighborhood light displays (like Candy Cane Lane) are best seen after sunset.