Where to Find Art and Entertainment in Palm Springs

SPONSORED

The Plaza Theatre

Since 1936, The Plaza Theatre has stood at the intersection of glamour and grit in Palm Springs. Its debut, the world premiere of Camille, drew whispers of Greta Garbo slipping in after dark. Over the decades, The Plaza became a fixture of desert life, hosting radio broadcasts with Bob Hope and Jack Benny, and later, the beloved Fabulous Palm Springs Follies musical revue.

After years of silence, the landmark theater has officially returned to the spotlight after a full restoration, led by Oak View Group in collaboration with the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation and the city of Palm Springs. This is not just a face-lift. It’s a meticulous, thoughtful revival.

Behind the scenes, the space evolves with a more spacious lobby, modernized dressing rooms, improved seating, and updated climate control.

The Plaza will once again host performances, screenings, and civic events. The theater’s bones are classic, and its purpose remains timeless. The Plaza has always been a place where people gather in anticipation, just before the lights dim and the story begins.

128 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
760-593-5738

SPONSORED

Palm Canyon Theatre

Now in its 29th year of producing live theater for the enrichment of locals and visitors alike, Palm Canyon Theatre is the longest-running theater company in the Coachella Valley. The nonprofit regional repertory company stages its performances in a comfortable 208-seat venue inside the historic Frances S. Stevens School, located in Palm Springs’ Uptown Design District. Each production is crafted with passion, artistry, and an attention to detail that keeps audiences coming back.

In the summer, Palm Canyon Theatre also hosts a youth camp focused on acting, singing, dancing, stagecraft, makeup, and other theatrical skills. Highlights in 2026 include I Do! I Do! (Jan. 16–25, 2026); Hair (Feb. 6–March 1, 2026); Sunset Boulevard (March 13–April 5, 2026); Kiss of the Spider Woman (April 17–26, 2026); The Ritz (May 8–17, 2026); The Merry Widow (May 21–24, 2026); and The Wizard of Oz (July 17–Aug. 2, 2026). Individual tickets and season packages are available.

538 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
760-323-5123

Did You Know?

The Structure Tells a Story

Palm Canyon Theatre is located in the historic Frances S. Stevens School, which opened with two classrooms in 1927. A few years later, an auditorium was added, which became the very first theater in the city of Palm Springs.

Palm Springs Art Museum

Palm Springs Art Museum is a beacon of fine art and culture known for its modern and contemporary works and a vast collection of art from the American West. This season’s exhibitions include The Art and Design of Howard Smith, through Feb. 23, 2026, and Mapping the Female Body: Tom Wesselmann & Mickalene Thomas From the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation, Nov. 22, 2025, to April 6, 2026. The futuristic Aluminaire House, originally exhibited in 1931, sits adjacent to the museum.

101 N. Museum Drive, Palm Springs
760-322-4800

SPONSORED

Desert Art Center

Celebrating its 76th anniversary, this artist-run destination welcomes visitors to the Uptown Design District in Palm Springs. With a rotating lineup of juried exhibitions by local and regional artists, each visit offers something fresh and original — from painting and photography to sculpture and mixed media.

The adjacent Terry Masters Gallery presents exhibitions and themed events throughout the year, including the popular Mid Mod Show in February. The center also hosts artist demonstrations and community gatherings that foster

A robust schedule of fine art classes and workshops invites creatives of all skill levels to learn, experiment, and connect. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or casually curious, the Desert Art Center is a must-see hub for art lovers of all kinds. The gallery is open daily October through May from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

550 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
760-323-7973

Did You Know?

Painting the Past

Desert Art Center occupies a historic building completed in 1927 as the first school in Palm Springs. The city purchased the site in 1974, and later that year, President Gerald Ford dedicated it as a permanent home for the cultural arts.

Soulglow Aura

Every person radiates an aura — an energy field said to reveal mental, emotional, and spiritual states. At Soulglow Aura, the Aura Cam 6000 turns that unseen energy into a colorful Polaroid, measuring heart rate, subtle vibrations, and temperature in the process.

Owner Angelina Mortarotti helps guests interpret the results and understand how their core aura colors shape their daily needs. “Each core aura color has different needs, and learning to care for your energy can be incredibly empowering,” she says. 

The portrait studio also features a small shop with crystals, jewelry, oracle decks, and other tools to bring those insights home, and the team takes its practice on the road for weddings, parties, and corporate events.

475 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite A, Palm Springs
909-578-0833

Backstreet Arts District

Tucked off East Palm Canyon Drive, the Backstreet Arts District feels like a hidden village devoted to creativity. Once an unassuming stretch of industrial buildings, the neighborhood has grown into a lively collective of working studios and galleries where artists open their doors for visitors to browse, chat, and watch the process unfold.

On the first Wednesday of each month, the area buzzes with a popular art walk, complete with refreshments, conversation, and new exhibitions. Whether you’re drawn to contemporary paintings, sculpture, or photography, the district offers a mix of established and emerging voices. Its casual, open-studio format makes it one of the easiest places in Palm Springs to connect directly with artists and take home something original.

2600 Cherokee Way, Palm Springs