Welcome to September, fellow desert rats. I know this month signals a new season for many areas of our country, but as we know well, it's still summer here in the Coachella Valley. That means you're going to need some air-conditioned activities, and we've got you.
From art exhibits and concerts to comedy shows and the chance to ice skate with an Olympian, there's plenty going on in the desert this week.
So, here's our top 10 events to check out the week of Monday, Aug. 31 in the Coachella Valley.
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 (with a belated opening reception 4-7 p.m. Oct. 1)
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/gallery/current-exhibitions.php
Backstreet Art District's First Wednesday Art Walk
Palm Springs Backstreet Art District invites the public to come and enjoy an evening of fine art, live entertainment, food offerings and beverages while strolling through several unique galleries and art studios. Support the Coachella Valley art community while viewing the latest works by talented creatives. Come see why Backstreet Art District was voted a "Best of Coachella Valley, 2023"!
When: 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2
Where: Backstreet Art District, Corner of South Cherokee Way and Matthew Drive (behind Estate Sale) in Palm Springs
Cost: Free admission
More info: backstreetartdistrict.com
Chicago and Styx co-headlining concert
Two iconic rock bands from Chicago will unite this summer for their first co-headlining tour. On Wednesday, Sept. 2, Chicago and Styxwill perform at Acrisure Arena as part of the Windy Cities Tour - All the Hits… Your Kind of Tour. Chicago is famously known as "the band with the horns," blending rock music with jazz and even classical influences. The legacy of Styx is characterized by progressive rock and rock operas, so the show will be genre bending and enjoyable for fans of various music tastes.
When: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2
Where: Acrisure Arena, 75-702 Varner Road, Palm Desert
Cost: Starting at $53
More info: acrisurearena.com/event/chicago-styx/
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. Sept. 4-5
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/
'The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert' Screening
The Palm Springs Plaza Theatre has a full lineup of shows in September, but the beginning of the month is all about movie screenings during the theater's "Drag Me To The Plaza Movie Series." It all kicks off with queer cult classic "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert," the 1994 film following drag queen Anthony (Hugo Weaving) as he "agrees to take his act on the road, he invites fellow cross-dresser Adam (Guy Pearce) and transsexual Bernadette (Terence Stamp) to come along," as the theater's website describes it. "In their colorful bus, named Priscilla, the three performers travel across the Australian desert performing for enthusiastic crowds and homophobic locals. But when the other two performers learn the truth about why Anthony took the job, it threatens their act and their friendship."
When: 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5
Where: Plaza Theatre, 128 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
Cost: $20 for this individual screening or $60 for a ticket bundle for all four movies in the "Drag Me To The Plaza Movie Series"
More info: palmspringsplazatheatre.com/events
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/
To submit an event for The Desert Sun's consideration in future 10 things to do stories, send an email to niki.kottmann@desertsun.com with the time, date, location and price of admission for your event, as well as a brief event description. Photos are not required, but are highly encouraged as part of the submission.
Tip: Send your submission as early as possible to make sure we have it in time, and to make sure your event jumps out in our inbox, put "10 things to do submission" in the email subject line.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: You won't want to miss these 10 greater Palm Springs events this week
