Things to do in Palm Springs Thanksgiving Weekend

Wildlights

Looking for things to do Thanksgiving Weekend in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley?  We have you covered with everything going on during the 4-day Turkey Holiday. 

Turkey Trots – Thursday

Martha’s Village 5k

Run off some calories before scarfing down on double what you burned off later in the day at a host of 5Ks held around the Coachella Valley Thursday morning, including:

More: Where to get in the Holiday spirit in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley

Thanksgiving Noms – Thursday

If you’re not spending Thanksgiving at home, there are plenty of restaurants open on Turkey Day in Palm Springs.    Some highlights include:

  • Dine at 8,500 feet at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway which will be offering Ride ‘n’ Dine tickets for Pines Café all day for $36.  Peaks Restaurant will begin serving their regular menu along with traditional holiday favorites at 11:00 am on Thanksgiving Day. You can get more info here.
  • Melvyn’s is having a Thanksgiving 3-Course Menu from 2 to 10 pm for $65 per person.  More info here.
  • 4 Saints is serving Thanksgiving dinner from 2 to 7 pm.  The $72 per person meal includes items like  smoked prime rib, cider-brined bird, whole roasted stuffed squash, chickpea meatloaf, and ciabatta & pear stuffing. In addition, 4 Saints and Juniper Table are selling Thanksgiving pies (including to-go) now through Thanksgiving Day to support No Kid Hungry. Pies are available in smoked apple, date & pecan, and honey pumpkin and 50% of each $12 pie sold will be donated to help fight childhood hunger. (info)
  • Roy’s in Rancho Mirage will have a $39.95 meal that will include items like Pan Roasted Teriyaki Glazed Turkey, Lobster Bisque, Portuguese Sausage Stuffing, and Bacon Gravy. More info here.
  • LULU and ACQUA will have a $39.99 four-course Thanksgiving meal. More info here and here.

Remember: It’s a holiday, so be sure to tip the staff pretty great as, even though you are wonderful, they would probably rather be with their family rather than brining you extra gravy.

More: Need a place to stay in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley? Book now and SAVE BIG on Palm Springs area hotel rooms with our affiliate partner, hotels.com.

WildLights – Begins Wednesday

The annual Holiday Lights event is back for its run at the Living Desert in Palm Desert.  You can explore the zoo’s one million lights plus there will be live entertainment, arts and crafts, carousel rides, and Santa!!!

Tickets are $14 for adults, $12 for kids, and children under 3 are free.

The Living Desert

Black Friday Shopping

Plenty of stores are going to open on Thanksgiving and early Friday morning for your shopping pleasure…or you can just stay home and grab some things online while wearing your pajamas and scarfing down on a turkey sandwich.  The choice is yours.

Concerts / Events

There are a few events and artists making appearances around the Greater Palm Springs Area throughout the weekend, including:

  • A Christmas Story – The Musical runs Tuesday and Wednesday at the McCallum Theater (info)
  • Friday night is Trivia Night at La Quinta Brewing Company (info)
  • The Beach Boys perform two shows on Sunday at the McCallum Theater (info)
  • The Cabazon XXXVIII Indio Powwow will take place Friday – Sunday at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino (info)
  • A Paul McCartney tribute band performs at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino on Saturday night (here)

La Quinta Brewing Co.’s 6th Anniversary Party – Saturday

We went over all of the reasons why you should attend this free event here – and, to summarize: good food + good music + good beer = good times.  Plus, hey, it’s free!

Facebook Event

Tree Lightings – Saturday & Sunday

La Quinta Resort | Saturday

The property kicks off the holiday season with their annual tree lighting ceremony with carolers, cookies and hot chocolate, chestnut roasting, and a visit by Santa Claus.  The event starts at 5 pm on Saturday.

Facebook Event

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway | Sunday

Sunday evening, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway tree (which can be seen all the way down on the desert floor) gets lit. Journalist Hank Plante will serve as the official tree lighters and there will be a performance by the Palm Springs High School Madrigals and a special appearance by Santa.  The event starts at 5:30 pm.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

This post will be updated if/when new events are announced.  Anything we missed?  Let us know about it.

Have a great Thanksgiving in Palm Springs and save me some leftovers!!!!!