First Weekend Palm Desert celebrates the end of another successful season with a free concert in the park, dive-in movies, and all of your First Weekend favorites, including El Paseo Art Walk, First Friday at The Galen, and a classic car show.

The Spring Concerts in the Park series begins with a surprise musical act that will take the stage at the Civic Center Park Amphitheater at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 3. Music lovers who attend this first concert will have the opportunity to enjoy delectable fare from four food trucks featuring a variety of mouthwatering options while enjoying live music from a celebrated artist. The first concert is just one of five exciting musical acts that spring concertgoers will discover from 7:30 to 9 p.m. every Thursday in May.
Beat the heat on Friday evening, May 4, with a Dive-In Movie at the Palm Desert Aquatics Center (PDAC), sponsored by Family YMCA of the Desert. Enjoy the Disney/Pixar hit “Coco” on a large screen under the stars from the comfort of the pool. Doors open at 7 p.m. and tickets cost $4 per person. Tickets are now on sale for pre-purchase at the PDAC front desk, and will be available at the door until sold out.

On Sunday, May 6, at 1 p.m. the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto National Monument Visitor Center offers story time for kids and a youth explorer activity. Kids ages 4 to 8 can learn about the creatures that live in our desert with story time, followed by an arts and crafts activity related to the story. Kids ages 9 and above can learn how to navigate outdoors with maps and compasses with “Young Explorers Map and Compass Basics for Youth.”
Numerous other engaging activities take place during May’s First Weekend, each of which are free unless noted. For more information, visit www.PDFirstWeekend.com.

First Friday at The Galen
Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert
Friday, May 04, 4 – 9 p.m.
A free-to-all celebration with live music in the outdoor Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden. Wine and beer from Cuistot will be available for purchase at 5:30 p.m. Docent tours of the current exhibition.

Ruthless Jewelry Trunk Show with Featured Designer J. Kennedy
Ruthless Jewelry
Friday, May 04, 4 – 8 p.m.
Stop by Ruthless Jewelry during the El Paseo Art Walk to view a trunk show with featured designer J. Kennedy.
El Paseo Art Walk
El Paseo Art Galleries
Friday, May 04, 4 – 8 p.m.
A self-guided tour of El Paseo’s art galleries – featuring exhibit openings, artist receptions, and more!

Cuistot Extended Happy Hour
Cuistot Restaurant
Friday, May 04, 4 – 9 p.m.
Enjoy all-night happy hour at Cuistot on El Paseo every first Friday of the month. The special hours and prices are available in the bar and veranda of Cuistot's Restaurant.

College of the Desert Street Fair
College of the Desert
Saturday & Sunday, May 5 & 6, 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.
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.

El Paseo Exhibition Public Art Tour
El Paseo Exhibition
Saturday, May 05, 9 – 10 a.m.
Take a free, guided walking tour of the public art collection on El Paseo as part of Palm Desert's inspiring and fun filled weekend of art and culture. Meet the docent at the northwest corner of El Paseo and Portola.
Saturdays in the Sarkowsky

Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert
Saturday, May 05, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
In conjunction with the First Weekend Palm Desert, the Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert hosts games and crafts throughout the day for families to enjoy in the Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden. A themed craft area will be introduced in the Annette Bloch Education Center in The Galen where children will create DIY craft projects with Coachella Valley Art Scene. In addition, there will be a craft activity provided by S.C.R.A.P. Gallery in the Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm and a docent led tour of the current exhibit at The Galen at 2:00 pm.

Palm Springs Cruisin' Association Classic Car Show
Westfield Palm Desert
Saturday, May 05, 1 – 5 p.m.
After shopping and/or dining, swing by the Palm Springs Cruisin' Association's annual Classic Car Show! See over 200 Classic cars and enjoy refreshments, music, awards and raffle. Spectators are free and cars are just $5 per entry. The best part? It all supports Desert Cancer Foundation. Located in the Westfield Parking Lot, near An American Car Wash.
Monument Story Time

Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center
Sunday, May 06, 1- 2 p.m.
Kids' Corner offers story time about nature and desert creatures in the National Monument. Included outdoor or craft activity. Ages 4 to 8 with parent.

Monument Young Explorers Maps and Compass, Basics for Youths
Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center
Sunday, May 06, 1- 2 p.m.
How do you use a map with a compass? Have fun learning by doing at the Visitor Center. Ages 9 and above.

About Palm Desert First Weekend
Held on the first full weekend of each month from November through May, First Weekend includes featured events, culture, art, live entertainment, food, festivals, wellness and much more.  Visitors from out of the area will find everything from luxurious resorts to budget-friendly hotels, including the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa, Marriott’s Shadow Ridge, Residence Inn by Marriott, The Westin Desert Willow Villas, Hampton Inn & Suites, Shadow Mountain Resort & Club, The Inn at Deep Canyon, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Mojave Inn, Casa Larrea Inn, Club Intrawest, Embassy Suites, Best Western, and Holiday Inn Express.

For more information about Palm Desert First Weekend events, visit www.pdfirstweekend.com or call (760) 568-1441.