Palm Desert's 'First Weekend' to Feature WildLights, Elvis

From Palm Desert First Weekend: Palm Desert First Weekend kicks off its December celebration with WildLights at The Living Desert from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 2and 3. Guests will marvel as more than a million brilliant lights transform The Living Desert into a twinkling winter wonderland. New to the sparkling holiday event this year are herds of animal lanterns - some reaching 16 ft. - as well as a recreation of “Whoville” where guests can frolic in artificial snow. And First Weekend revelers will have the opportunity to enjoy free cocoa and cookies, with a free First Weekend commemorative cup.

The City of Palm Desert is also hosting its new First Weekend Holiday Celebration from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2, The Gardens on El Paseo will echo with the sounds of Blue Christmas and other Elvis Presley classics, performed live in A Rockin’ Tribute to the King. The nostalgic music will complement the classic cars of Cruise Night El Paseo, which will be on display at The Gardens and cruising down El Paseo that evening. Free pictures with Santa Claus; strolling carolers; hot cider and cocoa; and fun children’s activities led by the Palm Desert Youth Committee will complete the festive spirit.

In addition to these Featured Events, December First Weekend includes the following activities. All details can be found on the Palm Desert First Weekend website.

• Desert Art Collection Christmas Open House, Friday from 4 – 8 p.m.

Desert Art Collection, in conjunction with Lotus Garden, hosts a Christmas Open House. Desert Art Collection is introducing Desert Art & Home, featuring better home furnishings—furniture, accessories and a better-defined fine art gallery.

• El Paseo Cruise Night, Friday from 3:15 to 6 p.m.

The cool, shiny, lovingly cared-for classic cars begin arriving around 3:15 p.m. at the upper level of the parking structure behind The Gardens on El Paseo. Get a close-up look at these beauties and talk to the owners before they take over El Paseo.

• Cuistot Extended Happy Hour, Friday from 4 - 9 p.m.

Accent your First Weekend with Cuistot's extended happy hour. The special hours and prices are available in the bar and veranda of Cuistot Restaurant.

• El Paseo Art Walk, Friday from 4 - 7 p.m.

The renowned El Paseo Artwalk is a self-guided stroll among the numerous art galleries on the famed drive. Art galleries will feature exhibition openings, artist reception and more.

• Coda Gallery, Friday from 4 -7 p.m.

The unique and relocated art gallery will feature Daryl Gortner, who elicits the extraordinary in what we may perceive as ordinary, as well as Karen Shapiro, who takes everyday objects and makes them larger than life.

• Galen First Friday, Friday from 4 -9 p.m.

Enjoy free admission to the museum for exhibitions and film screenings, while enjoying live music by different musicians each month in the Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden. December will feature a live performance by profiles at 7:30 p.m.

• "Alicia in Wonder Tierra"*, Friday 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. and 12 -1 p.m.

When Alicia enters a Mexican curio shop with her mother she accidentally finds herself transported into fantastic realms, filled with amazing creatures and brilliant Mexican imagery. Steeped in Latin American cultural icons, Alicia begins to learn the difference between tradition and stereotypes as she attempts to find her way back home to her family. This unique, family-friendly production features actors and puppets performing side-by-side at the Indian Wells Theatre at Cal State University San Bernadino.

• Interpretive Saturday Morning Hike, Saturday from 9 - 11:30 a.m.

Enjoy a 2-3 mile hike while looking for wildlife and learning about the natural and cultural history of the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument and the Coachella Valley.

• "Cricket" Comedy Hour with Kris Bossi, Saturday 8 -9 p.m.

A night at The Hood Bar & Pizza with Cricke is a night laughing at all the profane and inadvisable coping mechanisms a woman uses to survive a life where everything has tried to take her out; from ex-husbands and car crashes, to natural disasters and her own immune system. Laugh along at living day-to-day as an outspoken, sometimes crass, and quite often irreverent woman.

• Free Guided Public Art Tour, Saturday from 9-10 a.m.

Free guided walking tours of the public art collection in Palm Desert include tours at El Paseo Exhibition, Civic Center Park, or the Palm Desert Library. This month's tour will highligh the artwork at the Palm Desert Library.

• Create It, Saturday 4 - 9 p.m.

The biggest, little art exhibition and sale supporting local artists and organizations - followed by a 111 Music Festival after party!

• The Hood Bar & Pizza Paint Nite, Sunday from 2 - 4 p.m.

Join professional artists for a step-by-step fulfilled afternoon adventure and unleash your inner Picasso! All materials are provided and the subject matter changes each week.

• Story Hour at the Monument, Sunday from 1 - 2 p.m.

Kids' Corner offers story time about nature and desert creatures in the National Monument and includes outdoor or craft activities. Story hour takes at the monument takes place at the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitors Center. Ages 4 to 8 are welcome with a parent. Space is limited.

• Maps and Compass, Basics for Youth, Sunday from 1 - 2 p.m.

How do you use a map with a compass? Let's have some fun learning by doing at the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto National Monument Visitor Center. Ages 9 and above, space is limited. Basics for Youth takes place at the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitors Center.

• College of the Desert Street Fair, Saturdays and Sundays 7 - 2 p.m.

For over 30 years this premiere open-air shopping experience has been a popular destination for visitors and residents alike! Offering more than 300 booths featuring artists, farmer's market, boutiques, unique items, live entertainment, gourmet food and more.

Key partners for First Weekend include El Paseo Shopping District, Westfield Palm Desert, The Living Desert, and Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert/The Galen and Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden.
Heldon the first full weekend of each month from November through May, First Weekend includes featured events, culture, art, live entertainment, food, festivals and much more.

First Weekend attracts visitors throughout Southern California while also engaging local residents. Visitors from out of the area will find everything from luxurious resorts to budget-friendly hotels, including the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa, Marriott’s Shadow Ridge, Residence Inn by Marriott, The Westin Desert Willow Villas, Hampton Inn & Suites, Shadow Mountain Resort & Club, The Inn at Deep Canyon, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Mojave Inn, Casa Larrea Inn, Club Intrawest, Embassy Suites, Best Western, and Holiday Inn Express.

For more information about First Weekend and getting involved, visit the Palm Desert First Weekend website or call (760) 568-1441.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay