Film Noir, Festivals & Forever Marilyn: May in the Coachella Valley

May in the Coachella Valley is rarely quiet — and 2026 is anything but. From the historic Film Noir Festival at the Palm Springs Cultural Center to a Guinness World Record attempt downtown, from a four-day music festival against a Joshua Tree backdrop to the Firebirds chasing a Calder Cup, this month packs more into its days than most places manage in a season. Read on for everything worth knowing about May in the Coachella Valley.

DESERT HIGHLIGHTS

Taste of Jalisco: May 1–3

The Taste of Jalisco festival brings an authentic celebration of Mexican culture, food, music, and tradition to the Coachella Valley for three festive days. Sample regional cuisine, enjoy live performances, and experience the rich flavors and customs of one of Mexico's most celebrated states. A great way to kick off the month.

For more information and to purchase tickets, click HERE.

Coachella Valley Firebirds Playoffs: May 5, May 7 (If Necessary)

The Firebirds are back in the playoffs and this time it’s personal. After dispatching the Bakersfield Condors in the first round, your hometown AHL squad takes on the Ontario Reign in the Pacific Division Semifinals — with Games 3 and 4 scheduled at Acrisure Arena. The energy in that building during a playoff run is unlike anything else in the Coachella Valley. Get there early and get loud!

For more information and to purchase tickets, click HERE.

Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival: May 7–10

One of the Coachella Valley’s most beloved traditions returns to the Palm Springs Cultural Center for four days of shadows, intrigue, and celluloid magic. Named for the late mystery author who founded it in 2000, the Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival is a cinephile’s paradise — unearthing rare prints, showcasing new digital restorations, and bringing out the people who were there when the classics were made. The 2026 festival opens with a world premiere restoration of Allan Dwan’s Slightly Scarlet (1956) and includes the restored Gunn (1967) and Manhandled (1949), plus a special screening of Bonnie and Clyde (1967) with writer/producer Kirk Ellis in attendance.

For more information and to purchase tickets, click HERE.

Joshua Tree Music Festival: May 14–17

Four days, three nights, and one of the most otherworldly backdrops on the planet. The 24th annual Joshua Tree Music Festival returns to Joshua Tree Lake with its signature blend of global artists, local talent, and undeniable desert magic. This is an immersive, community-driven gathering — family friendly, all ages, and built for people who want to connect with music and with each other on a deeper level. If you’ve never made the short drive out to Joshua Tree for this one, 2026 is the year to go.

For more information and to purchase tickets, click HERE.

City of Palm Desert Golf Championship: May 23–24

Desert Willow Golf Resort is marking a milestone year, and the City of Palm Desert is celebrating in fitting style — with the inaugural City of Palm Desert Best Ball Championship, a 36-hole two-person team tournament played on the stunning Firecliff and Mountain View courses. Teams are flighted by handicap, so the competition is spirited at every level. Memorial Day weekend at Desert Willow is a pretty great way to spend the holiday.

For more information, click HERE.

Memorial Day Flower Drop: May 25

Every Memorial Day, the Palm Springs Air Museum delivers one of the most moving tributes in the valley. More than 5,000 red and white carnations cascade from a vintage warbird in a moment that never grows old. Doors open at 10 a.m. for flight exhibitions; the ceremony begins at 1 p.m., and the iconic Missing Man Formation and flower drop follow between 1:45 and 2 p.m. Live music, food vendors, and the opportunity to take a ride in a historic warplane make this an exceptional full day.

For more information and to purchase tickets, click HERE.

Marilyn 100: May 30

On what would have been Marilyn Monroe’s 100th birthday, Palm Springs is going for the record books. Palm Springs Pride is staging a Guinness World Records™ attempt for the largest gathering of Marilyn Monroe look-alikes ever assembled — right at the feet of the city’s iconic “Forever Marilyn” statue downtown. Festivities kick off at 3 p.m. with live entertainment and food vendors, with the record attempt running from 4:30 to 6 p.m. After dark, the birthday bash continues with a live band, DJ sets, and a special guest performance. All proceeds support Coachella Valley Pride programs.

For more information and to purchase tickets, click HERE.

Palm Springs Power Baseball: May 29–31

America’s pastime is back in Greater Palm Springs. The Palm Springs Power kicks off the 2026 season with a home-game stretch over Memorial Day weekend — three nights of professional-caliber summer collegiate baseball under the desert sky. Grab a seat, get a hot dog, and settle in for one of the most relaxed and genuinely fun live sports experiences the valley has to offer.

For more information, click HERE.

LAUGH A LITTLE

Rock Gallery Comedy Club

The Rock Gallery Comedy Club is downtown Palm Springs’ premier stand-up room — an intimate 21+ venue running live comedy six to seven nights a week. May headliners include Will Pepper (May 1), Luz Pazos (May 2), Ahmed Ahmed (May 8), Dan LaMorte (May 9), Austin Locke (May 16), and Shaena Rabbani (May 23). Free open mic nights run Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursday evenings, with Karaoke Tuesdays rounding out the weekly lineup.

For more information and to buy tickets, click HERE.

ENJOY SOME MUSIC

McCallum Theatre

• Jeffrey Siegel's Keyboard Conversations: May 5

For more information and to buy tickets, click HERE.

Plaza Theatre

• Benise — 25 Years of Passion: May 3
• Palm Springs Symphony — May Musical Mischief: May 9
• Westminster Chorus: May 17
• The Carole King & James Taylor Story: May 18

For more information and to buy tickets, click HERE.

Agua Caliente Casino — The Show

• Sheryl Crow: May 2
• Becky Robinson: May 8
• John Fogerty: May 9
• John Waite & John Cafferty and The Beaver Brown Band: May 15
• Rob Thomas: May 23

For more information and to buy tickets, click HERE.

Fantasy Springs Casino

• Lady A: May 16

For more information and to buy tickets, click HERE.

Morongo Casino

• Chris Young: May 8

For more information and to buy tickets, click HERE.

ENJOY LOCAL THEATER

McCallum Theatre

• Open Call Talent Project: May 1–2
• COD Presents - Kiss Me Kaate: May 15, 16, 17
• Jim Caruso's Cast Party: May 7

For more information and to get tickets, click HERE.

Plaza Theatre

• Better Late (RePlay Series): May 1–2

For more information and to get tickets, click HERE.

CV Rep

• Ernest Shackleton Loves Me: Through May 10

For more information and to get tickets, click HERE.

Palm Canyon Theatre

• The Ritz: May 8–17

For more information and to get tickets, click HERE.

ART EXHIBITIONS

Backstreet Art District — First Wednesday Art Walk: May 6

The Backstreet Art District throws open its studios and galleries on the first Wednesday of every month, and May 6 is your next chance to experience this beloved valley tradition. From 5 to 7 p.m., more than two dozen galleries, working artists, and creative businesses welcome visitors for an evening of discovery, conversation, and very good people-watching. It’s one of the most genuine and accessible arts experiences in Greater Palm Springs.

For more information, click HERE.

Palm Springs Art Museum

• Fashioning Architecture: Through June 7

For more information, click HERE.

Heather James Fine Art

• La Belle Époque to the Gilded Age — European Impressionism’s Influence on American Art: Through May 31
• Tom Wesselmann: Figure and Form: Through May 31

For more information, click HERE.

Melissa Morgan Fine Art

• Pamela Beck: In Full Bloom: Through May 29

For more information, click HERE.\

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