The Perfect Palm Springs Christmas for 2023
If sipping holiday champagne in the sunny pool while surrounded by majestic snow-capped mountains sounds good to you this holiday season, Palm Springs may just be the perfect place to celebrate Christmas 2023!
In this guide, we'll cover the best time to plan your Christmas trip, where to stay and the top things to do in the Coachella Valley around Christmas.
5 Palms Estate 6 Bedroom, 7 Bathroom Palm Springs Vacation Rental
When is the best time to celebrate Christmas in Palm Springs?
Christmas week may seem obvious, but it has downsides.
The typical approach is to visit Palm Springs during the week around December 25th. This is one of the most popular times of the year and the town will be buzzing with tourists and locals alike getting into the Christmas spirit.
Aside from potential travel woes, the challenge of coming during the actual Christmas holiday is that the best rental houses are in very high demand. If you're thinking of joining us during the busy time, be sure to book your luxury vacation rental early. As of this writing, we still have a few of our luxury Palm Springs vacation rentals available for Christmas 2022.
Early December is an amazing value and top choice for those in the know.
Repeat guests tend to lean toward the first half of December, whenever possible. This is the sweet spot in Palm Springs with low accommodation rates and some of the best holiday festivities.
The First Half of December has Rock Bottom Rental Rates
Although the month of December has some of the most beautiful weather of the year, the few weeks have some of the lowest rates for luxury vacation rentals of the entire year.
In early December, you can book a luxury rental for about the same rates as the middle of the steamy summer. Sound interesting? There's more.
The Palm Springs Christmas Parade is on December 3rd This Year
Did you know that the Palm Springs Christmas Parade is not held on Christmas Day?
In fact, it's not even close. This fabulous event that draws nearly 100,000 revelers each year is held on the first Saturday of December. So, if you want to see the Festival of Lights, you'll need to plan an earlier trip. We've got more details on the parade below.
A Pre-Christmas Stay May Be Easier for Your Group
Let's face it, getting a group trip together can be complicated to say the least. Add all of the obligations that come with Christmas and New Years into the mix and scheduling a group getaway right on Christmas can seem nearly impossible!
Early December may be a simpler time for everyone to get away for a long weekend, prior to the holiday madness. Throw in the fact that each share of the rental house could cost half of what it would be around Christmas Day and there's even more motivation to make it happen.
What are the Top Things to Do in Palm Springs during Christmas?
There is no shortage of holiday events in Palm Springs in 2022. To make the most of your stay, here are our tips on the top Christmas Events in Palm Springs:
#1 - The Palm Springs Christmas Parade 2023
The Christmas parade in Palm Springs, also known as the Festival of Lights is one of the most popular Palm Springs Christmas Events, period. But, there's a catch, it doesn't happen on December 25!
The "Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade" will be held the first week of December in 2023. Once the date is determined, we’ll post it here.
The parade runs along Palm Canyon Drive from Tamarisk all the way to Ramon Road. However, you’ll probably want to plant yourself somewhere in the middle and away from the more desolate south end of Palm Canyon Drive near Ramon Road.
We recommend pointing your Uber or nav to Koffi and then wandering until you find the spot that feels right to you. Try to get there about an hour or so before the festivities begin. Then get ready to enjoy a Palm Springs tradition that dates back to the 1990s.
As the festivities begin, you can expect huge Macy's-style floats adorned with thousands of colorful holiday lights. Marching bands make their way down Palm Springs' famous boulevard along with Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Snoopy and, of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus!
The Festival of Lights is constantly voted one of the best events in the Coachella Valley. You won't be disappointed.
#2 - Christmas Eve Dinner at Lulu Bistro
Located smack in the middle of Palm Canyon Drive and just minutes from your Palms at Park villa is one of Palm Springs' most popular and festive restaurants, Lulu California Bistro. Lulu is loved by visitors and locals alike for it's Cal-inspired menu with something for everyone.
For Christmas 2023, Lulu has some special hours and menus. Lulu's Christmas Eve Dinner in Palm Springs features 3 and 4 course feasts. On Christmas Day, Lulu's menu features traditional and savory choices.
Start with a soup and selection of festive salads and then choose between eleven entrées including oven roasted turkey, holiday ham, Sonoma duck breast, a filet mignon, or fresh Atlantic salmon and more.
#3 - Wildlights at The Living Desert Zoo
Any time you visit Palm Springs, you should add The Living Desert to your must-do list. This 1,200-acre zoo and botanical garden features exotic animals like meerkats, bighorn sheep, and rhinos in a beautiful desert setting like no other.
Perhaps the very best time to experience The Living Desert is Christmas 2023! From November 22 to December 30 from 6-9 PM, the zoo is putting on the 30th anniversary of WildLights, where Palm Springs' famous desert zoo transforms into a sparkling winter wonderland. You'll find millions of lights throughout the grounds, from life-size lanterns to a popular light tunnel.
#4 - Mannheim Steamroller in Palm Desert
An American favorite around the holidays, the holiday music of Mannheim Steamroller is coming to the McAllum Theater in Palm Desert for just two days, December 2nd and 3rd, 2022.
Palm Desert is a short 20 minute drive from your Palms at Park villa. Couple this with the Christmas Parade in Palm Springs and you'll be in the holiday spirit in no time!
#5 - Celebrate at the Top of Mount San Jacinto
No, we're not suggesting an all day hike on Christmas, but we are throwing out the idea of a quick 10 minute zip to the top on Palm Springs' famous Aerial Tramway this Christmas!
Imagine being transported from the sunny desert floor all the way to the snowy peaks of our majestic mountain with the whole family. In past years, the tram has hosted the Palm Springs tree lighting ceremony but no one is quite sure if that's going to happen again in 2022.
Here's everything you need to know about the Palm Springs Tram.
What is the best place to stay in Palm Springs on Christmas?
Palm Springs is an extremely popular vacation destination and December is no exception. At Palms at Park, we offer three large, modern luxury vacation homes, each with 5 or more bedrooms right in the heart of Palm Springs proper and close to downtown.
Villa 14 at Palms at Park, One of Our Two Identical 5 Bedroom, 6 Bathroom Vacation Rentals
Each of our homes is newly built and every bedroom in every home has an en suite bathroom and outdoor space. Our villas provide the comfort of luxury hotel suites for each couple or family in your group alongside sprawling indoor/outdoor common spaces to come together along with sparkling pools, fire pits and more. Every home is completely walled, gated and private.
If you're planning to cook at home, each house at Palms at Park has a chef's kitchen with top-notch utilities to help you out. But if you'd rather eat at a restaurant in Greater Palm Springs, you have plenty of options to choose from.
The Chef’s Kitchen at Palms at Park Villa 70
Whatever you decide, we hope you have a wonderful holiday experience in Palm Springs this year. As always, if you have tips to share, please let us know!