Happy Wednesday, desert dwellers. We're officially in the 100s and the calendar is filling up with summer events that prove the valley doesn't shut down just because the snowbirds left. Here's what's happening.
TOP STORY
Palm Springs Equality Wine & Food Fest This Saturday
This Saturday, June 13, the Hyatt Palm Springs hosts the Equality Wine & Food Fest from 1 to 4 PM. Over 100 wines from LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and women-owned wineries, plus food samples, live entertainment, a silent auction, and VIP experiences. It's one of the most unique food and wine events in the valley because it's built around celebrating diverse voices in the industry while raising money for forward-thinking charities.
Tickets and details at equalitywinefest.com. If you love wine and want to discover producers you've never heard of, this is the event.
THIS WEEK AND BEYOND
Father's Day (Sunday, June 15) If you haven't made plans yet, here are a few ideas: book a twilight golf round (rates are great right now), take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway up to cooler air and mountain trails, or grab dinner somewhere special during the last gasp of summer dining deals. The Living Desert does early morning hours if Dad is an animal person. Or just grill at home and let the man sit by the pool. Sometimes simple is best.
VillageFest (Thursday, every Thursday) Palm Canyon Drive, downtown Palm Springs, 6 to 10 PM. Free. Art, food, music, people-watching. If you're new to the valley or just need a low-key Thursday night plan, this is it. Summer crowds are smaller and the vibe is more relaxed.
Juneteenth Celebration (Saturday, June 20) Revolution Stage Company in Palm Springs hosts a free community gathering from 2 to 4 PM honoring the spirit of Juneteenth through artistic expression, reflection, resilience, and joy. Free and open to all ages.
Donuts & DIY with Dad (Saturday, June 20) Demuth Community Center in Palm Springs, 9 to 11 AM. A free, family-friendly workshop where kids can make gifts and keepsakes for Father's Day (a day early). All supplies included. Space is limited, so call ahead: 760-320-6430.
Palm Springs International ShortFest (June 23 to 29) The big one. One of the most acclaimed short film festivals in the world and an Academy Awards qualifying showcase. A full week of screenings, panels, and events celebrating the best short films from around the globe. This is a serious cultural event that puts Palm Springs on the international map every June. More details coming in our next edition.
COMING UP
PS/NExT Summit (June 22 to 23): The Palm Springs AI & Creativity Summit returns at the Convention Center. Two days of innovation, emerging tech, design, entertainment, and culture. If you work in tech, creative industries, or just want to see where things are heading, this is worth attending. Presented by the City of Palm Springs Economic Development and the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce.
Splash House (August 7 to 9 and August 14 to 16): Mark your calendar now. The summer pool party music festival returns to Palm Springs for two weekends in August. Lineups and tickets usually drop in July.
THE LOCAL SCOOP: The Case for Staying Put
Here's what nobody tells you about summer in the Coachella Valley: the deals are absurd.
Golf courses that charge $250 a round in January are running twilight rates under $50. Hotels that go for $400 a night during Modernism Week are $99. Restaurants that had two-month waitlists are seating walk-ins at 7 PM on a Saturday. The pool at your favorite resort? Empty. The hiking trails before 8 AM? Just you and the roadrunners.
Every year, people ask us "don't you go crazy in the summer?" And every year, the answer is the same: we go to the pool, we go to dinner, we go to events like ShortFest and the Equality Wine Fest, and we enjoy our valley without the crowds. Then October comes and we share it again.
That's the deal. And honestly, it's a pretty good one.
QUICK HITS
High of 108 today. 110 on Thursday. Mornings before 9 AM and evenings after 7 PM are your windows. Plan accordingly.
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway: 30 to 40 degrees cooler at the top. Best $30 escape from the heat. Open daily.
Father's Day is Sunday. If you haven't booked dinner, do it today. Even in summer, the good spots fill up for holidays.
ShortFest starts June 23. We'll have a full preview and must-see picks in next week's edition.
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