City of Palm Desert’s First Weekend for March features the ever-popular Coachella Valley Wildflower Festival, along with a host of other great events. Kicking off the weekend on Friday afternoon is the monthly El Paseo Cruise Night, the renowned El Paseo Art Walk, and live entertainment at Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert, The Galen. On Saturday and Sunday there are numerous options for enjoying live entertainment and cultural experiences, as well as exercise with guided hikes, and even sunrise yoga at Palm Desert Aquatic Center.
Welcome the spring wildflowers with the Friends of the Desert Mountains at the 10th Annual Coachella Valley Wildflower Festival. This family-friendly, outdoor event takes place at the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center off of Highway 74, on Saturday, March 4, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. In addition to great wildflower viewing and beautiful art, the free festival feature a Kids’ Zone, 5k-trail run, mountain biking, and interpretive hikes. There will be raffles, vendors, exhibitors, and live music provided by The Arrangements in the beer and wine garden, as well as food and beverages available for purchase. All parking is offsite, located at St. Margaret’s on Highway 74, with free shuttle buses running throughout the day.
A variety of arts and culture, entertainment, exercise, shopping, dining specials, and more present a full weekend of engaging options. These activities include:
El Paseo Cruise Night, Friday from 3:15 to 6 p.m.
The cool, shiny, lovingly cared-for classic cars begin arriving around 3:15 p.m. at the upper level of the parking structure behind The Gardens on El Paseo. Get a close-up look at these beauties and talk to the owners before they take over cruising El Paseo from 4 to 6 pm.
El Paseo Art Walk, Friday from 4 to 7 p.m.
The renowned El Paseo Artwalk is a self-guided stroll among the numerous art galleries on the famed avenue. Art galleries will feature exhibition openings, artist receptions and more.
ArtWalk@Coda, Friday from 4 to 7 p.m.
The unique and relocated 9,000 square foot CODA gallery presents an artists reception for Charley Snow and Ben Steele for the debut of their exhibitions. There will be live acoustic music and a no-host bar featuring wines from Organic Wine Exchange, which will benefit Animal Samaritans – present at the event with their companion canine.
Desert Art Collection Exhibition, Friday from 4 to 8 p.m.
Cliff Kearns "Celebrity, Brand & Numbers"
Canadian Cliff Kearns has been influenced in popular media advertising by the proliferation of name-brand products endorsed and promoted by famous celebrities. These unique celebrity portraits, created with reference to the product they endorse, reflect a popular interest and promotional aspect of current culture, examples of “Celebrity, Consumer Product & Art” as commodity. His inclusion of the word “Image” and numbering in the work continues his theme and theory that the “Art” is very much a commodity as well as a reflection of Pop Culture.
Galen First Fridays, Friday from 4 to 9 p.m.
Enjoy live music at 7:30 p.m., docent tours, and more in the Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden at Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert, The Galen.
Cuistot Extended Happy Hour, Friday from 4 to 9 p.m.
Accent your First Weekend with Cuistot's extended happy hour. The special hours and prices are available in the bar and veranda.
Palm Springs Cruisin' Association Car Show, Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m.
Come join the fun, food, and cars! The event takes place in the parking lot behind Westfield Palm Desert's covered parking structure, $5 entry for cars – spectators free.
Free Guided Public Art Tour, Saturday from 9 to 10 a.m.
Free guided walking tours of the public art collection in Palm Desert include tours at El Paseo Exhibition, Civic Center Park, or the Palm Desert Library. This month’s tour will highlight the artwork at the Palm Desert Library.
The Gardens 19th Annual Concert Series, Saturday 5 to 6 p.m.
Enjoy live entertainment by Heat Wave, two glasses of wine, and lite bites from your seat on the lawn at The Gardens on El Paseo. Your $15 ticket purchase helps benefit Angel View charity.
Story Hour at the Monument, Sunday from 1 to 2 p.m.
Kids’ Corner offers story time about nature and desert creatures in the National Monument and includes outdoor or craft activities. Story hour takes at the monument takes place at the National Monument Visitors Center. Ages 4 to 8 are welcome with a parent. Space is limited.
Maps and Compass & Basics for Youth, Sunday from 1 to 2 p.m.
How do you use a map with a compass? Let's have some fun learning by doing at the National Monument Visitor Center. Ages 9 and above, space is limited.
Paint Night @ The Hood Bar & Pizza, Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m.
Join professional artists for a step-by-step fun-filled afternoon adventure where you can unleash your inner Picasso and create your own masterpiece. All materials are provided.
Sunrise Yoga at Palm Desert Aquatic Center, Sunday at 7 a.m.
Join April Jones of Yoga Central La Quinta for Sunrise Yoga at Palm Desert Aquatic Center. $7 per person for this enlightening one-hour class, and all Levels are welcome.
College of the Desert Street Fair, Saturdays & Sundays 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For over 30 years, this premiere open-air shopping experience has been a popular destination for visitors and residents alike! Offering more than 300 booths featuring artists, farmer’s market, boutiques, unique items, live entertainment, gourmet food and more. Located at College of the Desert, corner of Monterey and Fred Waring.
Key partners for First Weekend include El Paseo Shopping District, and Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert/The Galen and Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden.
For more information about First Weekend, click here or call (760) 568-1441.