It's finally here, friends. The famous indicator of the end of summer: Labor Day weekend.
Even though the end of summer weather-wise is more like mid-October for us desert dwellers, we're happy to welcome weekenders for a good ole fashioned holiday weekend full of everything from concerts and art exhibits to food truck festivals and a medical-themed comedy show.
See our list below of the top things to do if you're in town this weekend.
Greater Palm Springs Spa Month
Experience the best spa and wellness offers of the year during Greater Palm Springs Spa Month. Throughout September, local resort spas, day spas, wellness centers and natural hot springs across Greater Palm Springs offer exclusive treatments, special packages and unique wellness experiences, so make sure to check
out the website below to see a full list of offers.
When: Throughout September
Where: Various locations in the Coachella Valley
Cost: Prices vary per location
More info: visitgreaterpalmsprings.com/spa-month/
'Sueño Eterno (Eternal Dream)' Art Exhibit
Support student artists this week to celebrate the first College of the Desert Marks Center exhibit of the 2026-27 school year. "'Sueño Eterno' (Eternal Dream) is an all-figurative exhibition exploring how we live with loss," says Curator Luis Rodriquez. "Through painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, and 3D printing, the work reframes grief as a sustained practice rather than a crisis to escape. How do we hold loss without stopping our lives? How do we honor the dead by being fully alive? This is not a monument to pain but a practice of attention. If we cannot choose when endings come, we can choose how we meet them — through care, curiosity, and the courage to continue."
When: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday Aug. 28-Oct. 15
Where: Walter N. Marks Center for the Arts, College of the Desert, 43-500 Monterey Ave., Palm Desert
Cost: Free admission to the exhibit, with art available for purchase
More info: collegeofthedesert.edu/community/
VillageFest
For those who don't live in Palm Springs and experience the closure of Palm Canyon Drive every Thursday, I'm here to explain why downtown's main drag is closed to traffic from 6 to 10 p.m. every "Little Friday." VillageFest is a weekly outdoor market including everything from food truck vendors to break dancers to buskers, as well as plenty of artisans selling their handmade goods. Head downtown to grab dinner, a snack or just do some light shopping while you get your steps in.
When: 6-10 p.m. every Thursday
Where: Downtown Palm Springs
Cost: Free admission, with plenty of food, drink and other items available for purchase
More info: villagefest.org
Food Truck Fridays
Looking for a fun night out with some good food? Head to downtown Indio every Friday night to sample a smattering of delicious bites from local food trucks. The vendor lineup changes regularly, featuring returning favorites and new ones, so check their Instagram page, @indiofoodtruckfridays, to see who's participating each week. Note: This event is family- and pet-friendly.
When: 5-10 p.m. every Friday
Where: Corner of Towne Street and Bliss Avenue, Indio
Cost: Free, prices depend on vendor
More info: indio.org/our-city/food-truck-fridays
Food Trucks on Requa
Believe it or not, this weekly food truck festival has an AC component (thought we should let you know that right up front). The new(ish) food truck park at 83-197 Requa Ave. in Indio is open Friday through Sunday, and offers not only local food from a rotating lineup of vendors, but also live music, lawn games, outdoor and indoor A/C seating, and a family friendly atmosphere.
When: 6-10:30 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Where: 83-197 Requa Ave., Indio
Cost: Prices vary depending on vendor and items
More info: instagram.com/foodtrucksonrequa/
Palm Springs Women's Jazz Festival presents 2026 Blues at the Woodstock
The sky isn't the only thing blue around here. The Palm Springs Women's Jazz Festival will be celebrating the power of the blues at its 2026 Blues at the Woodstock event. This two-day music festival brings together a talented group of women, including Miriah Avila, Kimberly Nichole, J’Cenae, Martha Redbone and Dr. Gail Jhonson, among others. In addition to powerhouse sounds, Nichole will deliver a tribute to blues icon Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton, who challenged gender norms and broke barriers for women.
When: 6:30-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4 and Saturday, Sept. 5
Where: Hotel Zoso, 150 S. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
Cost: $99-$125
More info: palmspringswomensjazzfestival.org
Skate & Swim at Berger Foundation Iceplex and Palm Springs Surf Club
One of the more bang-for-your-buck ways to stay cool this summer is the Skate and Swim combo, which combines experiences at the Berger Foundation Iceplex and Palm Springs Surf Club. Enjoy a Friday night extended skate (6 to 9 p.m.) at the Iceplex and follow it up with a 21-and-older Saturday night pool party at the Palm Springs Surf Club the next day. Purchase a ticket to one experience and receive 50% off the other.
When: Any consecutive Friday and Saturday night now through the end of September (public skates are typically 6 to 9 p.m. Fridays and pool parties are typically 6-10 p.m. Saturdays), including 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4 and 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5
Where: Berger Foundation Iceplex, 75-702 Varner Road, Palm Desert; and Palm Springs Surf Club, 1500 S. Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs
Cost: Purchasing a $15 ticket for public skate (note: it's an additional $5 for skate rental) gets you half off the typical $26.50 admission to Night Swim Saturday
More info: bergerfoundationiceplex.com
Nurse John: Against Medical Advice Tour
Get ready for a night of nonstop laughter when Nurse John, the comedic and social media sensation, brings his hit live show to Fantasy Springs Resort Casino on Friday, Sept. 4. Known for his hilarious takes on health care life and relatable portrayals of nurses, patients and everyday workplace moments, Nurse John has earned millions of followers worldwide through his viral videos and sharp comedic storytelling.
When: 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4
Where: Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio
Cost: Starting at $52.50
More info: fantasyspringsresort.com/nurse-john-live/
Flamingo Fridays Poolside Party at Morongo Casino
Looking for a way to escape the heat? Hop in the car and head to Cabazon for an evening getaway at Morongo Casino's Oasis Pool. For one evening every week, locals can pretend they're on vacation by purchasing a ticket to this pool party complete with live music, cocktails and relaxing rides down the lazy river.
When: Every Friday at 9 p.m.
Where: Morongo Casino Resort and Spa, 49-500 Seminole Drive, Cabazon
Cost: $38
More info: morongocasinoresort.com/hotel/oasispool
Indoor Palm Springs Certified Farmers Market
Every summer, the popular Palm Springs Farmers Market heads indoors to keep the fun going amid the three-digit temperatures, . This summer's offerings include California-grown produce, as well as locally made pastries, dips, juices, condiments, kombucha, eggs and so much more.
When: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. every Saturday until September
Where: Palm Springs Pavilion, 401 S. Pavilion Way, Palm Springs
Cost: Free admission, with many items available for purchase
More info: certifiedfarmersmarkets.org
Desert Film Society screening of 'The True Story Of Tamara De Lempicka & The Art Of Survival'
Need to escape to a dark, air-conditioned theater? Catch this special screening on Saturday morning presented by the Desert Film Society. The IMDb synopsis of the film says this documentary depits the "life of renowned Art Deco painter Tamara de Lempicka from (her) 1920s rise to stardom, (her) move to the US fleeing fascism in 1940, and (her) revival in the current art market, through powerful paintings depicting high society, nudes, and her lifestyle."
When: 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 5
Where: Palm Springs Cultural Center, 2300 E. Baristo Road, Palm Springs
Cost: $15
More info: desertfilmsociety.org/screenings/
Palm Springs Food Truck Festival
Saturday nights are a little tastier lately in Palm Springs. The Wanderlust Palm Springs Food Truck Festival takes place every Saturday evening at Sunrise Park, bringing a variety of food vendors and cuisines to local foodies. The event is hosted by Wanderlust Food Truck Fest, which holds similar gatherings in Hemet, Lake Elsinore and Murrieta.
When: 6-10 p.m. every Saturday, including Saturday, Aug. 22
Where: Sunrise Park, corner of Ramon Road and South Sunrise Way
Cost: Free, prices depend on vendor
More info: wanderlustevents.net/locations
ABBA L.A. – A Tribute to ABBA
Dancing queens, this is a safe space to bust a move. Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City is kicking off Labor Day weekend with this free concert featuring ABBA L.A., an ABBA tribute band that will transport you right back to the 1970s.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5
Where: Agave Caliente Tequila Bar, Agua Caliente Casino, 68-960 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Cathedral City
Cost: Free admission
More info: aguacalientecasinos.com/agua-event/
Skate with Olympic medalist Nancy Kerrigan
Ever wanted the opportunity to skate with a pro? Now's your chance when U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Famer Nancy Kerrigan heads to the Palm Desert ice rink on Sept. 6. Kerrigan is putting on a clinic so that locals can learn from and skate with her. The clinic is open to skaters of all ages and skill levels, and few spots are available, so register soon.
When: The clinic runs from noon to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6
Where: Berger Foundation Iceplex, 75-702 Varner Road, Palm Desert
Cost: $275, or $250 if you are a member of the Desert Figure Skating Club
More info: bergerfoundationiceplex.com/upcoming-events/
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: 15 things to do in Palm Springs, nearby for Labor Day weekend
