Events in the Pass Area

The Beaumont City Council holds regular meetings on the first and third Tuesdays of the month; the next regular meeting is October 20. The October 6 meeting is happening tonight, where the council continues weighing an updated economic development tax-abatement policy (including a proposed 20% apprenticeship-labor requirement) and transit funding changes, while the Planning Commission has backed a new 20-year comprehensive plan to guide Beaumont's housing, transportation, and drainage. Agendas are posted on beaumontca.gov before each meeting.

The Banning City Council holds regular meetings on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. The October 13 meeting wrapped up Tuesday evening; the next regular meeting is Tuesday, October 27 at 5:00 PM, with November dates posted on the City of Banning website. With the November 3 election approaching, residents can expect continued discussion of the Sunset Crossroads Specific Plan referendum (Measures U, V, and W) along with city projects and public safety investments. Agendas are posted on the City of Banning website before each meeting.

Over half a million lights illuminate the lavender fields and olive groves at 123 Farm for this magical evening experience. Lavender Nights runs Wednesday through Monday (weekdays 5-10 PM, weekends 3-10 PM) and is one of the most unique seasonal attractions in the Pass Area. A must-see fall event for families and date nights.

A four-day midcentury modern festival in Palm Springs with 50+ tours, home-and-garden events, and design experiences across the city. New this year: the Modernism Week Fall Dining Series spotlights the best restaurants of the desert,and after-dark programming extends the evenings. Tickets went on sale August 1. A perfect fall weekend getaway just 30 minutes east of the Pass Area on I-10 -- pair it with the Palm Springs Certified Farmers Markets, which return each October.

The Leave No Trace Spotlight Weekend at Joshua Tree National Park offers education on responsible outdoor recreation, sustainable camping practices, and desert conservation. Guided hikes, workshops, and volunteer activities help visitors learn how to protect the park for future generations. This free event at one of America's most-visited national parks is a perfect fall weekend trip from the Pass Area.

A free, family-friendly Halloween celebration featuring carnival games, a haunted maze, inflatable maze, food and drink vendors, a petting zoo, magician, and live entertainment. Held annually on the third Saturday of October. A wonderful Pass Area tradition for families.

A family-friendly Pumpkin Dash 1K and 5K run hosted by the Beaumont-Cherry Valley Recreation and Park District. Open to runners of all ages and fitness levels -- costumes encouraged! A fun seasonal activity for the whole family.

The Beaumont-Cherry Valley Recreation and Park District's annual family fall festival: pumpkin activities, games, food, and community fun for all ages. Watch the district's event calendar at passarearec.com for this year's date and details.

The 10th Annual Charity Golf Tournament tees off at Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon in Beaumont, a day on the course in support of local community causes. Registration and sponsorship details are posted on the event listing; a great way to enjoy one of the Pass Area's premier golf courses while giving back.

A free, hands-on workshop on gardening with California native plants at the Noble Creek Community Center. Learn which low-water natives thrive in the Pass Area's climate, how to plant and care for them, and how native gardens support local birds and pollinators. Hosted by the Beaumont-Cherry Valley Recreation and Park District -- a perfect fall project for your yard.

The City of Calimesa's annual Fall Flair Display invites residents to decorate their homes and yards for fall and Halloween. Stroll the neighborhoods to enjoy the seasonal displays, and check the City of Calimesa website for the showcase map and any community voting. A fun, family-friendly way to celebrate autumn in Calimesa.

The City of Beaumont hosts its fall Community Cleanup on Saturday, October 24 -- a free chance for residents to drop off bulky items, yard waste, and household debris. Check beaumontca.gov for the drop-off location, accepted materials, and any appointment requirements before you load the truck.

A free, family-friendly Trunk or Treat and harvest festival in Calimesa: decorated trunks, candy, games, and fall fun for kids of all ages, listed on the city's community events calendar. A wonderful early-Halloween warm-up just before the big Trunk or Treat at Summerwind Park on Halloween night.

The fall 2026 entertainment lineup at Morongo keeps rolling through December. UFC 332 Silva vs. Wang (Oct 3), Smoking Good Times featuring DW3 (Oct 4), Dirty Heads (Oct 8), Los Huracanes del Norte (Oct 9), Blues Traveler (Oct 10), and An Evening with OneRepublic (Oct 13) have all wrapped up. Still to come: Groove Society on the free Sideline Stage (Oct 16-17), A Night with Brian Christopher (Oct 22), power-pop legends Fountains of Wayne (Oct 23), reggae royalty UB40 (Oct 24) plus the UFC 333 pay-per-view (Volkanovski vs. Evloev, 11:00 AM) the same day, Teresa Cheung with her Crossed Paths world tour (Nov 1), Regional Mexican favorite Edgardo Nuñez (Nov 6-7), The Isley Brothers (Nov 7), comedian Rob Schneider (Nov 20), Stone Temple Pilots (Nov 21), country star El Fantasma (Dec 4), and Tyrese wrapping the 2026 season (Dec 5). The 2027 calendar is already taking shape: Arley Perez performs January 8 and The Game brings rap to the Events Center January 16. Shows are 21+; check morongocasinoresort.com for tickets and the full calendar.

UFC 333 brings a stacked fight card to the Morongo Events Center with featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski defending against Movsar Evloev in the main event. Morongo screens the pay-per-view live at 11:00 AM, and the fall fight-night energy pairs perfectly with the UB40 concert on the same Saturday evening. Shows and PPV events are 21+; check morongocasinoresort.com for the full fight-week schedule and tickets.

The free Sideline Stage at Morongo keeps the entertainment rolling with Groove Society on Friday, October 16 and Saturday, October 17. A low-key way to catch live music at the resort between the big fall concerts, just 10 minutes west of the Pass Area on I-10.

Two big fall shows at the Yaamava Theater at San Manuel in Highland, an easy Inland Empire detour on the way to or from the San Bernardino area: Chilean-Mexican superstar Mon Laferte performs Sunday, October 25, and country icon Miranda Lambert takes the stage Thursday, November 12. Shows are 21+; tickets at ticketmaster.com.

The Pechanga Theater in Temecula fills its fall calendar with national headliners: comedian John Mulaney brings his Mister Whatever tour Thursday, October 15, folk-rock legends America play their Happy Trails Tour Friday, October 23, and Engelbert Humperdinck celebrates The Celebration Tour Friday, October 30. A longer drive from the Pass Area, but a fun night out in the Inland Empire.

The signature high desert celebration marks its 90th year with the theme "A Century in the Making: Celebrating 100 Years." Highlights include the Pioneer Days Parade on Saturday, October 17; the Pioneer Days 5K Fun Run (Sunday, October 18 at Luckie Park); the famous Outhouse Races; and the Classic Car & Motorcycle Show (Sunday, October 18 at the 29 Palms Historic Plaza). A fun, quirky desert weekend that pairs perfectly with a Joshua Tree National Park visit.

The Calimesa Chamber of Commerce hosts its monthly farmers and community market on the last Wednesday of each month, 4:00-9:00 PM at 1055 Calimesa Blvd, with local food and produce vendors, handmade goods, live music, and small-town atmosphere. The September 30 market has wrapped up; the next market is Wednesday, October 28, followed by November 25 and December 30. A great way to shop local and meet neighbors through the fall and holiday season.

The 8th annual Yucca Valley Film Festival screens independent features, shorts, and documentaries at the Community Center of Yucca Valley. A growing high desert cultural event that pairs perfectly with a weekend of Joshua Tree exploration.

The 14th annual Joshua Tree National Park Art Exposition is a juried exhibition celebrating the desert landscape that inspired the creation of the park. Opening weekend November 7-8 includes a free awards reception Saturday evening. Art, nature, and the high desert community together, a wonderful fall trip from the Pass Area.

The 2026 Highway 62 Open Studio Art Tours wrap up with their final weekend October 17-18 (10 AM-5 PM) after the October 3-4 and 10-11 weekends drew strong crowds, with roughly 226 artists opening their studios for free, self-guided tours across Joshua Tree, Yucca Valley, Morongo Valley, and Twentynine Palms. It is Southern California's largest open-studio event, featuring paintings, sculpture, ceramics, mixed media, and more, and a beloved high desert tradition that celebrates the vibrant arts community just east of the Pass Area. Pair a studio weekend with a visit to Joshua Tree National Park for a perfect fall outing on Highway 62.

Palm Springs' beloved Certified Farmers Markets return in October 2026 with fresh seasonal produce including Medjool dates, citrus, and desert-grown specialties. Multiple market locations throughout the season featuring local farmers, artisan food vendors, and live music. A perfect weekend morning excursion from the Pass Area -- less than 30 minutes east on I-10.

A seasonal fall festival celebrating the best of the Inland Empire with vendors, food, live music, and family-friendly activities. Part of the broader autumn celebration across Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

A free, family-friendly Dia de los Muertos celebration at the Chatigny Community Recreation Center: mariachi music and dancing, traditional altars (ofrendas), crafts, face painting, food vendors, a kids' zone, and a Catrina/Catrín costume contest in the celebration's third annual edition. New this year: a community pet ofrenda honoring beloved animal companions, so bring a photo of your pet. A meaningful and colorful celebration of Hispanic heritage in the Pass Area for all ages.

A month-long Día de los Muertos Pumpkin Patch in Banning each October: inflatables, rides, a petting zoo, food vendors, and pumpkin picking for the whole family. The celebration culminates with a Trunk-or-Treat event. Watch the City of Banning events page for opening day and hours.

The City of Beaumont's free annual Trunk or Treat returns on Halloween night: festively decorated trunks, candy, games, and family fun in a safe, community setting. Co-hosted with Grace Fellowship Church and the Beaumont-Cherry Valley Water District. Free to attend; a favorite Halloween tradition for Pass Area families.

The Banning Parks and Recreation Department's family-friendly Spooktacular Trunk or Treat: decorated trunks, candy, games, and Halloween spirit for kids of all ages. The 2026 edition is confirmed for Saturday, October 24 at 4:00 PM at the Banning Community Center, a perfect pre-Halloween warm-up for the whole family.

The Beaumont Unified School District and ASB host a Harvest Festival and Pumpkin Patch each October: pumpkin picking, games, food, and family fun supporting Beaumont students. Watch the Beaumont USD events calendar for this year's dates.

The 40th annual Greater Palm Springs Pride celebration, themed this year around inclusion, fills downtown Palm Springs with a free weekend festival and street fair on Friday and Saturday, live entertainment and community events, and the big Pride Parade down Palm Canyon Drive on Sunday, November 8 (10:00 AM). One of the largest Pride celebrations in Southern California, drawing visitors from across the region. Just 30 minutes east of the Pass Area on I-10 -- an easy getaway for culture, dining, and celebration in the desert.

A magical Renaissance Faire experience at Dysart Equestrian Park in Banning — period costumes, artisan vendors, live jousting, medieval music, and family-friendly entertainment. A unique holiday-season event that transports visitors back in time. A wonderful way to cap off the year in the Pass Area.

The Pass Area's holiday season highlight — a festive Blizzard Bash and Holiday Light Parade celebrating winter in Beaumont. Holiday lights, music, food, and community cheer fill Beaumont Avenue from 2:00-8:00 PM, with the Holiday Light Parade stepping off at 5:00 PM from 12th Street and Beaumont Avenue. Confirmed on the City of Beaumont events calendar each December.

The holiday season kicks off with a community tree lighting ceremony, live caroling, and festive activities in downtown Beaumont.

The City of Banning's signature holiday celebration returns in early December: a Western-flavored holiday parade through downtown, the city tree lighting ceremony, Santa's arrival by helicopter, photos with Santa, a gift and toy giveaway for kids, a Christmas light exchange, food and craft vendors, and snow for sledding. A warm, family-friendly tradition that puts the Pass Area's cowboy heritage at the heart of the season. Watch the City of Banning website for the confirmed 2026 date.

As the lavender season winds down, 123 Farm turns to its historic olive groves: more than 750 century-old olive trees on this certified organic farm, with the Community Olive Harvest inviting neighbors and visitors to gather tree-ripe fruit that is pressed into farm olive oil each fall. A hands-on, old-world fall tradition that only happens a few weeks a year, minutes from downtown Cherry Valley. Check 123farm.com for this year's harvest dates.

The winter 2026 edition of Christmas Nights at 123 Farm is confirmed for November 5 through January 3, transforming the fields and gardens into a holiday wonderland with festive lights, seasonal music, and holiday treats. Plan ahead: advance tickets are required (no door sales), with weekdays 5-10 PM and weekends 2-10 PM, plus Santa's Workshop on select dates (Nov 13-15, 20-25, 27-29 and Dec 4-6, 11-13, 17-23). One of the most magical holiday experiences in Southern California, right in the Pass Area.

The San Gorgonio Pass Historical Society's annual Honoring Local Military Veterans gathering, held the evening after Veterans Day at the Cherry Valley Grange Community Center. A warm community evening of stories, gratitude, and remembrance for the pass's service members and their families, with the society's regular monthly meeting (second Thursday, September through June) as the backdrop. New members and guests always welcome.

The 34th annual Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade fills downtown Palm Canyon Drive with festive floats, live entertainment, and holiday cheer, kicking off the desert's holiday season along with the tree lighting at Frances Stevens Park. Free to attend and just 30 minutes east of the Pass Area on I-10. The Magic of Lights drive-through display at the Empire Polo Club in Indio and WildLights at The Living Desert keep the Coachella Valley glowing through December.

More than 3 million LED lights transform The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens into a glowing holiday wonderland on select nights from November 25 through December 30, a USA Today top-10 holiday event. Festive lights, holiday music, seasonal activities, and the zoo's animals make it a magical family outing, and an 18+ night adds an adults-only glow. Just 40 minutes east of the Pass Area on I-10, it is the perfect way to open the holiday season.

The landmark Plaza Theatre, reopened in 2026 after a $34 million restoration, launches its first full holiday season: Christmas with The Drifters, The Platters, and Cornell Gunter's Coasters (Nov 27), Maria Bamford (Nov 28), Meow Meow's Feline Festive (Dec 2), A John Waters Christmas (Dec 3), The John Denver Christmas Concert (Dec 8), and the Gay Men's Chorus' Jingle Jangle Jazz Hands (Dec 11-13). Just 30 minutes east on I-10 from the Pass Area, an easy evening out in the desert.

The San Gorgonio Pass Historical Society's annual Cookie Exchange is a warm holiday tradition for history buffs and neighbors alike: cookies, conversation, and community in the society's Banning headquarters. A sweet way to kick off the holiday season in the Pass Area. Details on the society's website.

The high desert town of Yucca Valley lights its community tree in a small-town ceremony around the library and Founders Plaza in Old Town. Hot cocoa, neighbors, and the first glow of the season make this a warm, low-key way to open December, just 45 minutes northeast of the Pass Area on Highway 62.

The Yucca Valley Community Center hosts its annual Holiday Celebration with a snow play zone, hot cocoa, and family activities. A delightful high desert winter-wonderland afternoon that pairs perfectly with a Joshua Tree National Park visit on the way home.

The two-day Twentynine Palms Holiday Festival at Freedom Plaza features the Holiday Light Parade, a tree-lighting ceremony with Santa, face painting, food vendors, and a Holiday Market at the Community Center with a Toys for Tots drop-off. Dates are posted each December on visit29.org and the City of Twentynine Palms calendar; a charming high desert holiday tradition an hour east of the Pass Area.

The 29 Palms Artists' Guild hosts its annual Holiday Arts & Crafts Faire, a handmade-gifts market by the artists of the high desert. Unique ceramics, paintings, jewelry, and more, plus the gallery's regular exhibitions. A great stop on a December Joshua Tree or Twentynine Palms outing.

Santa visits the 29 Palms Farmers Market on December Saturdays from 9:00 AM to noon, joining the high desert's weekly market of local produce and handmade goods. A fun, small-town way to shop local and grab a holiday photo in Twentynine Palms.

Ring in 2027 with live music under the desert stars at Pappy & Harriet's Pioneertown Palace, the legendary high desert roadhouse just beyond Joshua Tree. Tickets go on sale through the venue; a memorable New Year's Eve for anyone ready to trade the city for the Mojave.

Hundreds of colorful hot air balloons lift off at dawn over the Coachella Valley in this beloved desert tradition, with balloon glows, tethered rides, live music, food vendors, and family activities. The 12th annual edition runs November 20-22, 2026, kicking off at Agua Caliente Casino Rancho Mirage and featuring sunrise launches at Cathedral City's Festival Lawn and Community Amphitheater (68700 Avenue Lalo Guerrero), evening balloon glows, and a drone light show. A picture-perfect weekend outing from the Pass Area on I-10, and a great way to catch the first cool days of fall in the desert.

A juried fine-art festival in the heart of the Coachella Valley featuring hundreds of established and emerging artists, live demonstrations, music, and desert dining. One of the most respected art festivals in Southern California, held each November in La Quinta Old Town and Civic Center campus. An easy fall weekend trip east on I-10.

The season-ending WTA Finals bring the world's top women's tennis players to the Greater Palm Springs area for a week of world-class matches. A major international sporting event in the desert this November, and a perfect pairing with Greater Palm Springs Pride (Nov 6-8) and the La Quinta Art Celebration (Nov 12-15) for a full desert weekend from the Pass Area.

The Coachella Valley Lakers, the NBA G League affiliate of the Los Angeles Lakers, tip off their inaugural season at Acrisure Arena with a Friday, November 6 home game against the Salt Lake City Stars. It is a chance for Pass Area basketball fans to watch the Lakers' next generation develop just 45 minutes down I-10, with a regular G League schedule running through the winter. Tickets at acrisurearena.com.

The Coachella Valley Firebirds bring American Hockey League action back to Acrisure Arena this November, including a home game against the Colorado Eagles on Wednesday, November 4, with a full home schedule through the winter. The arena also books the iconic B-52s and DEVO for their "Cosmic De-Evolution" co-headline tour in November. Check acrisurearena.com for the full calendar, tickets, and family nights.

The Coachella Valley celebrates the Day of the Dead in community fashion: Palm Springs hosts a free Día de los Muertos celebration Sunday, November 1 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Demuth Community Center, with altars, crafts, and music, and Coachella hosts the 9th annual Run with Los Muertos 5K on Saturday, November 7. Pair them with Beaumont's own free Día de los Muertos celebration the same Saturday afternoon (1-5 PM at the Chatigny Community Recreation Center) for a full Day of the Dead weekend.

The second annual Scoop Palm Springs Ice Cream Festival fills Downtown Park with local ice cream shops, sweet vendors, live music, and family fun. A perfectly sweet Sunday afternoon stop on a desert weekend, just 30 minutes east of the Pass Area.

A midweek feast gathering the Coachella Valley's best food trucks in Palm Springs, easy to pair with the Palm Springs VillageFest street fair the same evening for a full night out in the desert.

A free celebration of Filipino food, music, dance, and art at Downtown Park in Palm Springs. With a strong Filipino community across the Inland Empire and Pass Area, it is a warm, welcoming family afternoon and a wonderful way to support local vendors just down I-10.

Around 60 artists fill Frances Stevens Park for the November edition of this juried art festival, set against the San Jacinto Mountains and right across from the Palm Springs Art Museum. A great holiday-gift shopping stop on a desert weekend.

The desert's stages light up in November: the restored Plaza Theatre in Palm Springs hosts comedian Margaret Cho (Nov 7), Fortune Feimster (Nov 8), and the Journey USA tribute (Nov 15), while the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert presents the Broadway smash & Juliet (Nov 1) and the Indigo Girls (Nov 7). Out in Coachella, Spotlight 29 Casino hosts the "Billy Joel to Elton John: Face to Face" tribute on Nov 14. Tickets through each venue.

The world-famous Indio International Tamale Festival -- a Guinness World Record-holding celebration of the tamale, with dozens of vendors serving every variety imaginable, live entertainment, a kids zone, and fierce competition for the title of best tamale. The 2026 edition is set for December 5-6. A deliciously festive December tradition in the Coachella Valley, well worth the drive east on I-10 from the Pass Area.

The 38th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival opens the new year with a celebration of global cinema: hundreds of films from dozens of countries, red-carpet premieres, awards galas, and filmmaker conversations across Palm Springs venues. One of the largest film festivals in North America and a great winter getaway from the Pass Area. Festival passes and ticket packages go on sale each fall at psfilmfest.org.

The Beaumont-Cherry Valley Recreation and Park District's 33rd Annual Winterfest, a beloved hometown holiday tradition at the Cherry Valley Grange Community Center. The village-wide celebration features performances by local schools, visits and photos with Santa, 40+ pop-up holiday boutique shops, food vendors, a tree lighting ceremony, a snow hill, hay rides, crafts, and community cheer for all ages. One of the Pass Area's most cherished annual traditions; watch the district's calendar for the confirmed dates.

A family-friendly Halloween play and fall festival presented by the Cultural Alliance of the Pass, typically held mid-October at the Banning Woman's Club with an early-evening start. Seasonal performances, costumes, and community fun make this a warm annual tradition for Pass Area families. Check the Cultural Alliance of the Pass for the confirmed 2026 date.

Each October, the Banning Art & Heritage Museum runs a Día de los Muertos art competition and exhibit celebrating the holiday through community artwork along the Ramsey Street corridor. The 2026 competition and exhibit are confirmed for Saturday, October 24 at 1:00 PM at the museum (42 W Ramsey St). A meaningful, family-friendly way to honor the tradition in Banning.

California's statewide general election lands on November 3, and the Pass Area has major local questions on the ballot. Banning voters decide Measures U, V, and W on the 533-acre Sunset Crossroads Specific Plan: a YES vote upholds the City Council's approval of the mixed commercial and industrial project, while a NO vote repeals it. Beaumont Unified seeks approval of the $86 million Measure B school bond to fix aging schools and replace portable classrooms, structured so it does not raise property tax rates (a 2-cent levy per $100 of assessed value, and the district's third bond attempt in six years after a larger measure failed in 2024). Find polling places and sample ballots through Riverside County.

A community day at the Mtn Air Stockdog Club's Cherry Valley grounds featuring stockdog herding trials on the club's seasoned trial course. Spectators welcome to watch skilled handlers put their dogs through herding runs against the backdrop of the San Gorgonio mountains. A wonderful taste of the Pass Area's rural, ranch-country character, just minutes from the 123 Farm holiday lights.

Community ceremonies across Beaumont, Banning, Calimesa, and Cherry Valley honor all who served on Veterans Day with color guards, wreath-layings, and moments of remembrance. A day to thank the Pass Area's veterans, including our neighbors serving in every branch. Many local restaurants offer free or discounted meals for veterans with military ID; call ahead to confirm.

Beaumont is a nationally designated Veterans Day Regional Site, and its Veterans Parade returns on Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11, following a ceremony and a Memorial Plaza ribbon-cutting, with a luncheon for veterans and the community ceremonies held across Banning, Calimesa, and Cherry Valley to honor all who served. Watch the City of Beaumont events page for the route and start time, and bring the whole family out to thank our veterans.

The annual Apple Butter Festival caps the Oak Glen apple season with fresh-pressed apple butter, cider, orchard treats, and mountain fall color at the historic apple farms of Oak Glen. A delicious way to close out the harvest season, just a short drive up Highway 38 from the Pass Area.