From markets to a Kevin Hart show, here's 10 things to do in the Coachella Valley this week
The Coachella Valley is home to a number of events and activities to enjoy — even in the dog days of summer. If you're interested in filling your calendar with events, we've put together a list of 10 things happening this week in the valley and nearby communities.
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Check out the following events this week:
Boot Stompin' Tuesdays
If you're 21 or older and you love country music as much as you love a night out, this event is for you. From 6:30 to 10 p.m every Tuesday, you can head to the LIT Lounge at Fantasty Springs Resort Casino for country night, aka Boot Stompin' Tuesdays. These lively evenings are hosted by Big John Miller and KPLM The Big 106-FM, and they start off with free, fun and interactive line dance lessons hosted by the HomeTown Country Dancers at 6:30 p.m. Each week features live performances by a different band, and this week's featured group is JB & The Big Circle Riders.
When: 6:30-10 p.m. every Tuesday (including Tuesday, Aug. 27)
Where: Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio
Cost: Free admission, with drinks and food available for purchase
More info: fantasyspringsresort.com/country-night/
IW Live presents Women of Soul
Acrisure Arena isn't the only local venue featuring live music this summer. If you're looking for a more intimate concert experience, the Indian Wells Resort Hotel presents weekly live music — and this week's Wednesday night offering is extra special. Songwriter/vocal coach/gospel singer Patrice Morris usually performs on the IW Live stage on Wednesday evenings, but this week she's performing with the group Women of Soul for a jam-packed setlist of soul favorites.
When: 6 p.m. dinner show Wednesday, Aug. 28
Where: Indian Wells Resort Hotel, ??76-661 Highway 111, Indian Wells
Cost: $10 plus the price of your dinner (reservations highly recommended)
More info: indianwellsresort.com or call 760-797-8700 to reserve your table
Jueves de Drift
Want to kick off the weekend a little early? If you're willing to push bedtime for a late-night happy hour, grab your swimsuit and head to downtown Palm Springs' Drift Hotel for its weekly Jueves de Drift event held every Thursday night. Enjoy evening swims, $5 beers and $8 cocktails alongside rotating live music — poolside. Free admission for hotel guests and the public alike.
When: 7-10 p.m. every Thursday (including Thursday, Aug. 29)
Where: Drift Palm Springs, 284 S. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs (Drift offers free, first come, first-served parking but it does fill up quickly. Consider parking at the free structure directly across the street on Indian Canyon or behind the building on South Calle Encilia.)
Cost: Free admission, but RSVP encouraged on Eventbrite below
More info: eventbrite.com
Thursday Night Rock Show featuring HWY 111
Last year, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino's weekly Rock Show featuring the local band HWY 111 moved to Thursdays at the property's high-rise lounge, aka twelve: Cocktails Above. The weekly concerts continue to offer attendees the same high-energy live music experience that's synonymous with the band, which features bass player/singer Whit Petrell of Steel Rod; drummer for Rick Springfield Jorge Palacios; singer Niki Bente, who performs with Twisted Gypsy and appeared on seasons 4 and 6 of “American Idol”; and guitarist Lance Turner, who has performed with Atomic Punks and Motley Inc.
When: 8-11 p.m. every Thursday (including Thursday, Aug. 29)
Where: Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio
Cost: Free admission (only open to those 21-and-up), with drink specials available by purchase
More Info: fantasyspringsresort.com/rock-show
Food Truck Fridays
Looking for a community event that’s easy on the wallet and is family-friendly? Come round out the work week with food and fun in Indio. Indio’s Food Truck Fridays have become a tradition in the city, held downtown at the corner of Towne Street and Bliss Avenue. A rotating selection of different food trucks are available for customers to enjoy, so there’s always something new. Once you’ve got your food, sit back and enjoy the live music and other activities. It’s a great way to start the weekend.
When: 5-10 p.m. every Friday (including Friday, Aug. 30)
Where: The corner of Towne Street and Bliss Avenue in downtown Indio
Cost: Free admission, with various items available for purchase
More info: indio.org
Palm Desert Aquatic Center's Hot Summer Nights and Movie Nights
Believe it or not, one of the desert's hottest dancefloors is at a public pool (for one last week, that is). Head to the Palm Desert Aquatic Center this Friday to experience all the center's typical amenities — open recreational swimming, water slides, diving boards, an obstacle course, a rope swing, and a snack bar — as well as its final dance party of the summer. Note: The center is also hosting its last screening of the 2024 Dive-In Movie Nights series this week, on Saturday, Aug. 31, and gates open at 7:30 p.m. The movie — "Kung Fu Panda 4" — begins at sundown.
When: 7:30-10:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30
Where: Palm Desert Aquatic Center, 73-751 Magnesia Falls Drive, Palm Desert
Cost: $8 per person, children under 2 years old are free
More info: pdpool.com
Comedy Night
Need something to lift your spirits? Prepare to laugh at hotel ZOSO's Comedy Night. Grab some friends, order some drinks (there's a two-item minimum purchase per person, which can be any combination of food and beverage), and listen to talented comedians take the stage right in downtown Palm Springs. Note: Times and availability are subject to change. No outside food or beverages allowed.
When: 9-10:30 p.m. every Friday
Where: hotel ZOSO, 150 S. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
Cost: $12.51
More info: hotelzosopalmsprings.com/eat-drink/entertainment
Friday Night Lights in 29 Palms
If you're looking for the perfect excuse for a high-desert getaway, this might be your sign. Every Friday night until Labor Day, several small businesses in Twentynine Palms will stay open until 9 p.m., giving locals and visitors alike the chance to grab a bite under the stars, or shop until the sun has long past set. Participating eateries and watering holes include: 29 Palms Inn, Grnd Sqrl, Out There Bar, The Happy Cooker, Kitchen in the Desert and Outpost 29. Other participating businesses include: Hi-Desert Daydream, Very Very, Hi Desert Times, Scorpion Lollipop, Mojave Threads, Desert General, White Label Vinyl, Desert's Edge Vintage, Sun of the Desert, Donahlue Clothing Co. and more.
When: Various opening times (check businesses' websites for hours) and running until 9 p.m. Fridays (including Friday, Aug. 30)
Where: Various Twentynine Palms businesses, check list in paragraph above
Cost: Free to browse, with various items — including bites and drinks — available for purchase
More info: instagram.com/p/C9m-a2fJEk1/
Palm Springs Certified Farmers Market - Indoor Summer Edition
Just because the summer heat has yet to loosen its grip on the Coachella Valley doesn't mean you can't shop for fresh produce at the farmers market. The original Palm Springs Certified Farmers Market has moved indoors at the Palm Springs Pavilion for the season, and still features California-grown fresh food products, chef demonstrations and entertainment.
When: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays June through September (including Saturday, Aug. 31)
Where: Palm Springs Pavilion, 401 S. Pavilion Way (next to the Palm Springs Swim Center at Sunrise Park), Palm Springs
Cost: Free admission, with several items available for purchase
More info: certifiedfarmersmarkets.org
Kevin Hart: 'Acting My Age'
Emmy and Grammy-nominated comedian and Mark Twain award recipient Kevin Hart is bringing his ninth stand-up comedy tour, "Acting My Age," to Coachella. The entertainer called this show more "intimate" than his previous tours, adding that it's all about "connecting with the audience and feeding off the crowd's energy and laughter," according to a press release. His previous tour, "Reality Check," was the highest-grossing comedy tour of both 2022 and 2023, according to Billboard. Note: This event is for those 21-and-older.
When: Doors open at 7 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31
Where: Spotlight Showroom, Spotlight 29 Casino, 46-200 Harrison Place, Coachella
Cost: From $99
More info: spotlight29.com/entertainment
Inclusion in The Desert Sun's weekly community calendar is solely at the editors' discretion. Priority is given to free and community-oriented events.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Concerts, Kevin Hart: 10 things to do in Palm Springs area this week
