Palm Springs is Breaking Mold to become Top Holiday Destination
PALM SPRINGS — For the second consecutive year, the city of Palm Springs is bringing back its Palm Springs Holidays initiative. The goal is to position Palm Springs as a top holiday destination with a variety of festive events designed to attract visitors throughout the holiday season.
While Palm Springs has traditionally seen strong travel during Thanksgiving and the Christmas-to-New Year’s period, this initiative will help fill quieter stretches in December.
“We’re committed to making Palm Springs Holidays a major draw for both locals and visitors alike,” said Wayne Olson, Chief Economic Development Officer. “As Palm Springs Holidays grows, we expect to see even more people flocking to Palm Springs to experience the magic of the season.”
This year’s highlights include the annual Festival of Lights Parade, tree lighting celebrations in Downtown Palm Springs and Aerial Tramway, A Very Merry-Lyn Christmas, carolers from local schools in Downtown Palm Springs, free holiday concerts and the Palm Springs Holiday Market at VillageFest. There will also be increased support for local shops, with Love Local PS Holidays bonus bucks digital gift cards and boutiques offering seasonal specials.
Nancy Sinatra
Legendary singer, actress and community icon, Nancy Sinatra will make her way down world-famous Palm Canyon Drive on Saturday, Dec. 7 as the “Special Guest Star” in this year’s 32nd Annual Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade.
Sinatra, a part-time resident and daughter of one of the Coachella Valley’s most famous desert dwellers, Ol’ Blue Eyes himself Frank Sinatra, became famous for chart topping hits like “These Boots Are Made for Walking”, “Sugar Town” and “Bang Bang.” She is also one of first and greatest supporters of the restoration of the historic Plaza Theatre, currently underway in downtown.
Sinatra will be joined in the parade by the Palm Springs Fire Department’s Peer Support K9 “Ranger,” a white Labrador retriever, as this year’s “Canine Grand Marshal” along with Celebrity Grand Marshals Matt Sorum, former drummer for Guns N’ Roses and Dave Karger host of Turner Classic Movies. This year’s Community Grand Marshals include internationally adored Palm Springs style influencer Kelly Golightly, and the dynamic broadcasting duo from the Coachella Valley Firebirds: NHL legend Grant Fuhr and Gino LaMont, former NBC Palm Springs news anchor. In addition, actress and local resident Madchen Amick, best known for her role in the television series Riverdale, will serve as Honorary Grand Marshal.
The City’s signature holiday event, kicks off at 5:45 p.m. along Palm Canyon Drive and each year brings as many as 100,000 residents and visitors to downtown Palm Springs to enjoy twinkling lights, magnificent marching bands, huge holidays balloons, – and a visit from Santa Clause, of course.
Fifty students who participated in the annual City of Palm Springs Holiday Banner Program will be celebrated for their unique and original designs lining Palm Canyon Drive during the holiday season at an annual awards ceremony on Friday, Dec. 6.
The ceremony, hosted by the City of Palm Springs and program founder Joy Meredith, President of Main Street Palm Springs, will be held at 4 p.m. at Frances Stevens Park just prior to the 5:15 p.m. lighting of the city’s 22-foot holiday tree.
The holiday banners are designed by kindergarten through 12th grade students, are displayed along Palm Canyon Drive each year with 50 new and original designs added to the collection annually. Almost 700 area students have submitted original drawings this season. The theme is “Winter Holidays Palm Springs Style” with a special emphasis on Palm Springs landmarks. In addition, a popular People’s Choice Award is decided by the most “likes” on the Main Street Palm Springs Facebook page.
“A VERY MERRY-LYN CHRISTMAS” is a new holiday tradition coming to Palm Springs Dec. 13-15. The nightly, musical, holiday extravaganza will culminate with the “Lighting of Forever Marilyn”! Forever Marilyn, the 26-foot tall, 24,000-pound sculpture of Marilyn Monroe by Seward Johnson, will be a sight to see as she glitters in Palm Springs holiday lights! “A VERY MERRY-LYN CHRISTMAS” is presented by Musical Theatre University together with the Palm Springs Unified School District and The City of Palm Springs.
“A VERY MERRY-LYN CHRISTMAS” will feature a special Broadway Celebrity Guest Star who will join the Musical Theatre University ensemble nightly to perform treasured holiday classics and holiday songs, soon to be on your holiday play list!
The musical holiday production will start at 6 p.m. with the official “Lighting of Forever Marilyn” at approximately 6:45! The event is open to the public, free of charge.
“With Palm Springs Holidays, we’re amplifying the city’s seasonal appeal,” Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein said in a statement. “Our goal is simple: to make Palm Springs the center of holiday celebrations. From festive shopping to live holiday performances and everything in between, there’s always something for everyone to enjoy and we want to share the magic of Palm Springs Holidays with the world.”
Palm Springs Holidays will also honor the City’s diversity with Chanukah and Kwanzaa celebrations. The season runs from Thanksgiving through Jan. 6, including New Year’s Eve festivities and culminating with Three Kings Day.
For a full calendar of events, promotions, and holiday activities, visit: http://PalmSpringsHolidays.org.
