If holiday plans are taking a turn for the stressful this year and you’re looking to change things up, planning a last-minute vacation to Palm Springs during Christmas could be exactly the right choice! This gem of a vacation destination in the Coachella Valley is a great place to find yourself year-round, but there’s something extra special about a trip this way over the holidays. Even if you don’t have a lot of time to put the details in place, you’ll find Palm Springs to be a getaway that’s ideal for a Christmas experience with family and friends you won’t soon forget.
Embrace the Best of a Sun-Soaked Christmas in California
When you set your sights on a last-minute Christmas vacation to Palm Springs, you’ll never have to worry about your travel plans being thwarted by snow, ice, or cold. That’s because here, visitors and locals alike are treated to over 300 days of sunshine annually and even in December, daytime highs have a refreshing way of lingering in the 70s. The dry desert air that defines the Coachella Valley experience makes for an even more comfortable setting if you’re excited to fill your Christmas itinerary with time in the great outdoors. While the city is still covered in holiday lights, wreaths, and festive flair, you can plan on sipping your hot cocoa under a palm tree and leaving your winter parka far behind this year.
Fun Activities to Add to Your Itinerary
With all that warm weather and sunshine on your side, Christmas is the perfect time in Palm Springs for visitors to maximize their itineraries. A great way to start each day of your last-minute trip, that doesn’t require much planning at all, is an early morning hike through Indian Canyons. Here, travelers with a love for trekking their way to seasonal fun will easily find routes that showcase palm groves, waterfalls, and stunning desert terrain, too. The end of December is also a lovely time of year in Palm Springs to hone your short and long game skills out on the greens if golfing is your hobby of choice. A ride up the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway offers up spectacular views and opportunities to admire the impressive and decorated Christmas tree at the summit of Mount San Jacinto, too! When all that adventure leaves you longing to relax in holiday style, consider booking yourself a spa day in Palm Springs and enjoying a massage, facial, wrap, or exfoliating treatment to leave you looking and feeling your best this Christmas.
Holiday Events to Check Out While You’re in Town
A last-minute Christmas vacation to Palm Springs comes with options to add a holiday event or two to your must-experience list while you’re here. A fun stop to add for the entire family when you’re traveling with kids is the WildLights event hosted over at The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens. Set up in nearby Palm Desert, this annual holiday event runs through the end of December and often features millions of holiday lights as well as seasonal treats, animal encounters, and animated displays to enjoy. If you find yourself in Palm Springs on an impromptu Christmas getaway earlier in the month, you can attend the Festival of Lights Parade on the first Saturday of December. This glittering spectacle is hosted on Palm Canyon Drive and includes sparkling floats, marching bands, dancing, and an appearance from Santa at the end.
Pick Up Holiday Gifts When You Arrive
When you decide to head to Palm Springs for a Christmas vacation on a whim, you’re free to leave worries about packing presents in your suitcase behind. That’s because the shopping options here are top-notch, making it simple to buy the gifts you want to gift when you arrive! We would highly recommend spending time browsing the shops along El Paseo when you’re on the hunt for high-end products and apparel. If retro is more your style, the Palm Springs Vintage Market has you covered. There are also a variety of local boutiques to check out when you’re excited to gift your family and friends handmade jewelry this year.
Enjoy Delicious Dining Options
While a last-minute Christmas vacation to Palm Springs doesn’t always allow for enough time to secure a place at a top area restaurant, there are plenty of casual dining options to enjoy when you’re here that don’t require holiday reservations. Consider making your way to Rooser and the Pig when you find yourself longing for mouthwatering Vietnamese and American fusion served up in a trendy and welcoming setting. Over at Paul Bar/Food, you can treat yourself to comfort food paired with handcrafted cocktails and craft beers, while the team over at Tac/Quila is known for serving up some of the best upscale Mexican fare in town.
Book your Last-Minute Getaway Today
No matter when your travel plans bring you to Palm Springs this year, the team at Ryson Vacations is ready to help you get settled into a beautiful vacation rental to match. Reach out today to learn more about our last-minute holiday homes and how our team can help you tailor the details of your trip to fit your style. We can’t wait to see you in California soon!
In every season, Palm Springs offers travelers a picture-perfect place to relax and unwind in style. If you’re planning a trip this way over Christmas, you’ll find you can leave all thoughts of cold and snow behind and swap them out for sun-soaked festivities instead! When you’re ready to put the finishing touches on your one-of-a-kind holiday itinerary, the following are some of the top Palm Springs Christmas activities and attractions to make sure you enjoy in and around the city this year.
Enjoy a Family-Friendly Holiday Experience at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
You won’t have to travel far from the heart of Palm Springs to find family-friendly holiday fun waiting for you right at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in nearby Palm Desert. The annual WildLights event held here over Christmas is often a top-rated event for families to attend in the Coachella Valley. Above all, it’s a holiday display that you’re certainly going to want to see for yourself. That’s because in years past, the event has seen the zoo and gardens decked out with more than 750,000 holiday lights at one time! Visitors are invited to explore the illuminated scenery and wander along twinkling pathways while taking photos and sipping hot chocolate at their leisure. There’s live entertainment to enjoy, and opportunities for little ones to make the most of crafts on-site as well. The event is typically hosted from November through December and has a wonderful way of pairing animal encounters with fantastic holiday festivities each and every year.
Plan on Attending the Popular Festival of Lights Parade
If your travel plans have you heading to Palm Springs early in December, you’ll be delighted to find you’re right on time to attend the popular Festival of Lights Parade held here each year. This incredible holiday parade is often held during the first week of the month along the iconic Palm Canyon Drive. Those who attend will be treated to an impressive lineup of marching bands, dancers, floats, and even Clydesdales. This is a Christmas gathering that’s often attended by celebrities and world-famous performers and ends with a visit from Santa Claus himself. The parade kicks off around 5:45 pm, so be sure to arrive early and set up so you can get the very best view this Christmas.
Enjoy Great Holiday Shopping in Palm Springs
Palm Springs has long been recognized as a haven of shopping fun among those visitors who value building retail therapy into each and every vacation itinerary they create. That said, it’s hard to beat the time spent shopping at Christmas here when you have seamless access to places like the dazzling Uptown Design District! Make some room on your agenda to check out the gorgeous art galleries, vintage boutiques, souvenir shops, and so much more! Whether you just window shop or you have plans to fill your bag to the brim, it’s an activity that will have you in the holiday spirit in no time.
Check Out Everything That’s Happening at the Top of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway This Christmas
A trip up the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is sure to provide passengers with stunning views in every season. However, those who choose to make their way to the summit at Christmas will find there’s a bit of extra holiday magic included in the experience. Once you’ve enjoyed the ride up to Mt. San Jacinto, you’ll find events like Breakfast with Santa, holiday craft stands to check out, and even a tree lighting ceremony are hosted here this time of year. The cooler mountain temperatures at these higher elevations mean that when you arrive, there’s also a good chance you’ll be treated to a dusting of snow! When you’re looking for a healthy dose of holiday fun this time of year, a trip this way is sure to inspire.
Admire the Magic of Lights at the Empire Polo Club
Many Palm Springs residents and visitors alike will make their way to the Empire Polo Club in nearby Indio this Christmas to experience the annual Magic of Lights event for themselves. This impressive drive-through holiday display is more than a mile long and features everything from illuminated life-sized dinosaurs to glittering monster trucks to admire. Each year has a unique theme that the displays are crafted around, and families can enjoy the dazzling views from the comfort of their own vehicle. Plan on attending any time between mid-November and late December, with options to conveniently purchase your tickets online in advance.
Book Your Christmas Stay in Palm Springs Today
Now is the perfect time to turn those holiday travel plans into reality. When you’re excited to spend time in Palm Springs, the team of property professionals at Ryson Vacations will make sure you enjoy accommodations that take your holiday fun to the next level of excellence with every booking. Reach out today to learn more about our incredible options and to begin planning your December getaway.