It’s hard to believe it’s almost time to bid 2024 adieu and welcome all that 2025 has to offer.
With the start of the new year so close, plenty of people are making resolutions or setting goals for themselves in the hopes of living better, healthier and happier lives. If your 2025 includes at least one trip to the Palm Springs area, or you’re a local hoping to explore a bit more of your home, we’ve got just the bucket list guide for your next year.
Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, an animal lover, a foodie or just looking for a fun weekend adventure, there’s a number of fun activities and events to take part in in the desert. If you’re looking for a few more ideas or hoping to cross off a couple memorable to-do list items this year, check out our 2024 guide for even more Palm Springs inspiration.
Say hi to some famous ‘Neighbors’
Ever wondered what it would be like to have stars Marilyn Monroe or Frank Sinatra as neighbors? Well, you can get some idea of it thanks to a new art installation, titled “Neighbors,” by California muralist John Cerney. “Neighbors” features five legendary icons — Monroe, Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Liberace — standing 10 to 12 feet tall, at a mailbox filled with items unique to the person. Plus, this makes the perfect Instagram post. The art piece is located at 605 E. Sunny Dunes Road in Palm Springs.
More:Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra grab mail in new art piece; Pop Art Park coming to Palm Springs
See the Backstreet Boys at the Stagecoach country music festival
It’s not every day you see one of the biggest boy bands from the ’90s at a music festival, so this really is a bucket list item. The Backstreet Boys are back, and if you’ve always dreamed of seeing this famous quintet, your dreams are coming true at the 2025 Stagecoach country music festival. While we don’t know exactly what day these performers will hit the stage, they’re slotted for a Late Night in the Palomino set, which always promises to be a good time. The festival will be held April 25 to 27 at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, and passes are currently on sale at stagecoachfestival.com.
More:Stagecoach announces Jelly Roll, Lana Del Rey for 2025. Here’s the full lineup, dates, tickets
Take a staycation at the Thompson Palm Springs
You don’t always have to travel far to have the perfect getaway. Now that the Thompson Palm Springs hotel is open in downtown, why not treat yourself to a relaxing weekend? This new hotel boasts quite the impressive list of luxurious amenities, including the Lola Rose, Grand Mezze restaurant, which is inspired by the flavors of the Middle East, and the HALL Napa Valley Tasting Room & Wine Lounge, which offers an escape to wine country in the desert. A few more facilities have yet to be opened inside the hotel, so that just means more reason to make return trips.
More:This ‘crown jewel’ of Palm Springs will open next week after years of development delays
Feed a giraffe at the Living Desert
Feed your sense of adventure by visiting the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, where you can also feed some giraffes. These graceful giants are a staple at the Palm Desert zoo, and just a few years ago a baby calf was born to the delight of her parents and local fans. Giraffe feedings cost $8 for zoo members and $10 for nonmembers, and are available 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 1 through May 31, and 8 a.m. to noon June 1 through Sept. 30. Living Desert is located at 47-900 Portola Ave. in Palm Desert.
More:The Living Desert’s 32nd annual Wildlights event kicks off this week: What to know
Spot a celeb at the Palm Springs International Film Festival
The beginning of the year brings some of Hollywood’s biggest stars to Palm Springs for the annual film festival. The red carpet will be rolled out on Jan. 3 for the Palm Springs International Film Awards and will welcome Selena Gomez, Nicole Kidman, Adrien Brody, Ariana Grande and so many other celebs to the Palm Springs Convention Center. If you’re not able to snag a ticket to the big show, you’ll be able to catch filmmakers at various film screenings during the festival itself, taking place Jan. 2 through 13. Check psfilmfest.org for the full schedule.
More:Robbie Williams biopic ‘Better Man’ to open 36th Palm Springs International Film Festival
Try Detroit-style pizza at Black Cat Pizza
There’s always a new restaurant to try in the valley, so it’s hard to know exactly where to go. Our suggestion: Black Cat Pizza, the first Detroit-style pizzeria in the area. It’s a great spot for any homesick Midwest snowbird, as well as those who have never tried this type of pizza. What makes Detroit-style pizza so unique is its thick, rectangular shape and crispy crust. Black Cat Pizza serves up a variety of pies, including margherita, bianco verde (with housemade herb cheese, walnut pesto and lemon) and fungi (cremini mushrooms topper with fresh oregano and thyme).
More:3 new restaurants, 1 closure in the Coachella Valley. Plus: Bar Cecil’s chef’s newest spot
See the view from above in a hot air balloon
It’s hard to describe how beautiful and serene it is to float in a hot air balloon and watch the sun rise or set over the Coachella Valley, so this is one experience you just have to try yourself. Be sure to mark your calendars for the 11th annual Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival, set to take place Nov. 21 through 23, 2025. It’s always a treat to see colorful hot air balloons in the sky, and it’s an even better view from above.
More:3 things to enjoy at Cathedral City’s 10th annual hot air balloon festival
Go horseback riding
If you’ve hiked on a few trails in the Palm Springs area, you may have seen signs for horseback riding. Luckily, you don’t have to own your own horse to enjoy this equestrian activity as there are a few horse ranches in the Coachella Valley that offer rides. Smoke Tree Stables, located at 2500 S. Toledo Ave. in Palm Springs, offers guided rides through Indian Canyons, immersing visitors into the lush palm tree oasis. CottonWood Canyon Ranch, located between Palm Springs and Joshua Tree, also provides private rides with their gaited horses, which have all been rescued. Visit both business’ websites to learn more about scheduling and pricing.
More:Photos: Smoke Tree Stables Palm Springs
Sink your teeth into a Shake Shack burger
While it’s true that Shake Shack has locations all over California and the United States, the recently opened Palm Desert location is the first and only one in the Coachella Valley so far, so that’s pretty special in our book. The New York-based chain, located at 73-199 El Paseo, Suite A, brings its specialty burgers, chicken sandwiches, crinkle-cut fries and creamy shakes to the desert after months of anticipation. Die-hard fans can make it their 2025 goal to try every shake flavor on the menu, and then they can worry about hitting the gym in 2026.
More:Palm Desert’s Shake Shack announces grand opening date; giveaways planned for first guests
Go on a vintage airplane ride
Not only can you look at some cool vintage planes, but you can actually take a ride in a few of them at the Palm Springs Air Museum. These old-school planes come in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors, and they’re a marvel to see in the sky. Warbird Rides do come with a hefty price tag in some instances. For example, the C-47 Skytrain, which served as the main cargo plane of allied forces throughout WWII, costs $195 and can take five to 10 people per flight, while the T-33 Shooting Star, which was developed in the late 1940s as a trainer for the U.S.’s first jet fighter, costs $4,995 per ride for one passenger. However, it’s not every day you get a chance to fly through the sky in a piece of history, so strap in and enjoy the ride. Visit palmspringsairmuseum.org/warbird-rides/ for more information.
More:PS Air Museum breaks ground for Ronald M. Auen Learning Center
Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter @ema_sasic.
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