# Things to do with kids in Palm Desert, CA

> 23 upcoming family events and 6 places and ongoing programs in Palm Desert, CA (Riverside County, CA), in the Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario area. Listings whose address is in this town. Dates and times are Pacific Time. Today is Sat, Oct 24.

Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Oct 24, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about
Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-10-24), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/riverside/towns/palm-desert-ca

## Events ahead

- [C!RCA: Duck Pond (McCallum Theatre)](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/activities/c-rca-duck-pond-mccallum-theatre--listing-815d9de7d7dd096c3906d536) — Sat, Oct 24 · 2:00 PM · McCallum Theatre, Palm Desert · checked Oct 16. Australian circus company Circa brings Duck Pond, its acrobatic re-imagining of Swan Lake, to the McCallum Theatre for a matinee and an early-evening show. The classic ballet…
- [Fall Bioblitz: Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/activities/fall-bioblitz-santa-rosa-and-san-jacinto-mountains-national-monument--listing-3302f0efb2eed380c81635de) — Oct 18 – Oct 24 · 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM · Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, Palm Desert · Free · sold out when last checked · checked Oct 16. The Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains is a hotspot for biodiversity with over 3,100 species. Help us find and document more species by participating in this year-long bioblitz…
- [Palm Desert Full Moon Hikes (NEW!)](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/activities/palm-desert-full-moon-hikes-new--listing-3f09e66083b6e0b1b66945f3) — Sat, Oct 24 · 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM · Homme Adams Park, Palm Desert · From $10 · sold out when last checked · checked Oct 16. We are excited to announce Full Moon Hikes in Palm Desert! There will be four different hikes offered, please read each description carefully and select the trail best for your…
- [Star Gazing Under a Desert Full Moon — Homme Adams Park](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/activities/star-gazing-under-a-desert-full-moon-homme-adams-park--listing-8983d22ce9bb44d6c661b695) — Sat, Oct 24 (+1 more date) · 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM · Homme Adams Park (Homestead Trail), Palm Desert · With admission · checked Oct 24. Volunteer astronomers from Friends of the Desert Mountains set up high-powered telescopes at Homme Adams Park in Palm Desert and point them at the full Moon, showing its craters…
- [Zookeeper Academy at The Living Desert (Grades 7–10)](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/activities/zookeeper-academy-at-the-living-desert-grades-7-10--listing-5d3e0bdccda7aee7636861d4) — Sat, Oct 24 · 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM · The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, Palm Desert · From $95 · checked Oct 20. A one-morning, career-focused camp for middle and high school students in grades 7 through 10 at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert. Working with the zoo's Learning…
- [62nd Annual Palm Desert Golf Cart Parade](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/activities/62nd-annual-palm-desert-golf-cart-parade--listing-1faed89a0f383692c1c94750) — Sun, Oct 25 · 12:00 PM · El Paseo (San Luis Rey to Ocotillo), Palm Desert · checked Oct 13. The 62nd Annual Palm Desert Golf Cart Parade on Sunday, October 25, 2026 on El Paseo. The parade's location page says festivities begin early at 8am with a pancake breakfast at…
- [The Amazing World of Bats (lecture at the Monument Visitor Center)](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/activities/the-amazing-world-of-bats-lecture-at-the-monument-visitor-center--listing-1dba30b84389402475dff3c7) — Sun, Oct 25 · 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM · Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center, Palm Desert · checked Oct 13. A morning program about bats at the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center in Palm Desert on Sunday, October 25, 2026, 9:00-10:30 am, sponsored by…
- [The Amazing World of Bats Lecture](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/activities/the-amazing-world-of-bats-lecture--listing-2bfd2bbb406b46c0540c2119) — Sun, Oct 25 · 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM · Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center, Palm Desert · sold out when last checked · checked Oct 16. Celebrate Bat Week and learn about one of the most amazing mammals on the planet…BATS! These critters are incredible wonders of nature that represent nearly a quarter of all…
- [Concerts in the Park — Palm Desert Civic Center Park (October Thursdays)](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/activities/concerts-in-the-park-palm-desert-civic-center-park-october-thursdays--listing-50010b7efa543dbb78f81a7f) — Thu, Oct 29 · 6:00 PM · Civic Center Park Amphitheater, Palm Desert · All ages · Free · checked Oct 16. Palm Desert's free fall Concerts in the Park series brings live tribute music to the Civic Center Park Amphitheater on Thursday evenings at 6 p.m. Two concerts remain in the…
- [Bat Walk Night Adventure](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/activities/bat-walk-night-adventure--listing-8a8a39d7409408513de99d80) — Sat, Oct 31 · 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM · Art Smith Trail Parking Lot, Palm Desert · sold out when last checked · checked Oct 16. Be a Bat Hero, Super Hero Bat Walk! Explore the desert and learn about the super powers of bats! We will be checking the desert for all creatures large and small. Bring a…
- [Howl-O-Ween at The Living Desert](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/activities/howl-o-ween-at-the-living-desert--listing-6d26583c0feb20658570d42d) — Sat, Oct 31 · 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM · The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, Palm Desert · All ages · With admission · checked Oct 13. The Living Desert's family-friendly Halloween celebration, Saturday, October 31, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.: wear a costume and wander the zoo for trick-or-treat stations, pop-up surprises…
- [Desert Mountains Art Fair](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/activities/desert-mountains-art-fair--listing-2ef145c1f87145bff60089ae) — Sat, Nov 7 · 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM · Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center, Palm Desert · sold out when last checked · checked Oct 16. Join us at our monthly Desert Mountains Art Fair! Mediums may include photography, paintings, ceramics, hand painted silks, and more. Support local artists and find beautiful and…
- [Día de los Muertos Aerial Showcase (Art Flying Aerial, Palm Desert)](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/activities/dia-de-los-muertos-aerial-showcase-art-flying-aerial-palm-desert--listing-a0a0c8c34315717f1eac1234) — Sat, Nov 7 · 12:30 PM – 6:30 PM · Art Flying Aerial, Palm Desert · checked Oct 16. Art Flying Aerial's Palm Desert studio presents aerial performances celebrating Día de los Muertos, together with an art exhibition and local vendors. The studio schedules a…
- [Junior Ranger Day at the National Monument](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/activities/junior-ranger-day-at-the-national-monument--listing-bf35068fa7bd19936bd8ee9c) — Sat, Nov 7 · 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM · Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center, Palm Desert · sold out when last checked · checked Oct 16. Learn about our desert through hands-on activities that explore the land, animals, and plants. After completing six challenges, you’ll earn your Junior Ranger Badge! This program…
- [Tortoise Chat and Storytime at the National Monument](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/activities/tortoise-chat-and-storytime-at-the-national-monument--listing-ee4c6064b9a817f9b8af0b3d) — Sat, Nov 7 (+1 more date) · 8:30 AM – 11:00 AM · Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center, Palm Desert · All ages · checked Oct 24. During Desert Tortoise Week, Friends of the Desert Mountains and the Bureau of Land Management open the desert tortoise enclosure at the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains…
- [Veterans Rock: Veterans Day Eve Celebration (McCallum Theatre)](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/activities/veterans-rock-veterans-day-eve-celebration-mccallum-theatre--listing-426006ef50e7e1a2e8f18182) — Tue, Nov 10 · 5:30 PM · McCallum Theatre, Palm Desert · checked Oct 16. The City of Palm Desert and McCallum Theatre invite veterans, military families and community members to an evening honoring those who have served. Pre-concert festivities start…
- [Fall Mini ZooCamp at The Living Desert (Veterans Day)](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/activities/fall-mini-zoocamp-at-the-living-desert-veterans-day--listing-7a18ec2fe424921f1b1dcc0b) — Wed, Nov 11 · 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM · The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, Palm Desert · From $95 · checked Oct 16. A one-day drop-off ZooCamp at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm, for children in grades K–6. Campers are grouped by…
- [Star Party at the Monument](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/activities/star-party-at-the-monument--listing-f9c37fdca36bd483ac5981b4) — Sat, Nov 14 · 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM · Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center, Palm Desert · With admission · checked Oct 13. A free evening of stargazing at the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center, hosted by Friends of the Desert Mountains with the Astronomical Society…
- [Fall ZooCamp at The Living Desert (Thanksgiving week)](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/activities/fall-zoocamp-at-the-living-desert-thanksgiving-week--listing-84ca8a82f774529e5f0a789e) — Mon, Nov 23 (+2 more dates) · 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM · The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, Palm Desert · From $250 · checked Oct 16. A three-day morning camp at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens during Thanksgiving week, November 23–25, 2026, from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm each day, for grades K–6. This session…
- [WildLights 2026 at The Living Desert](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/activities/wildlights-2026-at-the-living-desert--listing-1325a964f97177e008fc9b44) — Tue, Nov 24 (+20 more dates) · 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM · The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, Palm Desert · All ages · From $20 · checked Oct 16. WildLights returns to The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert for the 2026 holiday season, presented by the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation. On select evenings…
- [The Wiz — Broadway Tour (McCallum Theatre)](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/activities/the-wiz-broadway-tour-mccallum-theatre--listing-881f6ddc7e8c6354fb79cfad) — Tue, Dec 8 (+5 more dates) · 7:00 PM · McCallum Theatre, Palm Desert · checked Oct 16. The Tony Award-winning musical The Wiz, the soul, gospel, rock and '70s-funk retelling of The Wizard of Oz, plays the McCallum Theatre in its new national tour direct from…
- [Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet (McCallum Theatre)](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/activities/nutcracker-magical-christmas-ballet-mccallum-theatre--listing-15529f9f872afa78728cc8ce) — Wed, Dec 16 · 3:00 PM · McCallum Theatre, Palm Desert · checked Oct 16. The touring Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet stops at the McCallum Theatre for two performances on December 16. The production features an international cast with Ukrainian…
- [Winter ZooCamp at The Living Desert](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/activities/winter-zoocamp-at-the-living-desert--listing-c28c1f911e03dc45cc6c8d4e) — Mon, Dec 21 (+5 more dates) · 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM · The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, Palm Desert · From $250 · checked Oct 16. Winter-break ZooCamp at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens runs as two three-day sessions, December 21–23 and December 28–30, 2026, from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm, for grades K–6…

## Places and ongoing programs

- [Berger Foundation Iceplex Public Skate](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/activities/berger-foundation-iceplex-public-skate--listing-920036422c473cd0c390895f) — Public skate sessions daily; times posted on the Iceplex events calendar (schedule… · Berger Foundation Iceplex, Palm Desert · All ages · From $15 · checked Oct 13. The Berger Foundation Iceplex in Palm Desert, next to Acrisure Arena, is the Coachella Valley Firebirds' training rink and runs daily public skate sessions open to all ages and…
- [CV SK8 Academy Learn to Skate – Fall Session (Oct 7–Nov 21, 2026)](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/activities/cv-sk8-academy-learn-to-skate-fall-session-oct-7-nov-21-2026--listing-51213f608a5195b9506aebd7) — Seven-week session Oct 7–Nov 21, 2026; classes Wednesday or Saturday, 30 minutes; class… · Berger Foundation Iceplex, Palm Desert · From $225 · checked Oct 13. The Berger Foundation Iceplex's CV SK8 Academy runs a seven-week learn-to-skate session from October 7 to November 21, 2026, with classes on Wednesday or Saturday. Levels include…
- [Me & You at the Zoo (Toddler Program at The Living Desert)](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/activities/me-and-you-at-the-zoo-toddler-program-at-the-living-desert--listing-d5b66620a8fe593ae33ae786) — Tuesdays and Fridays, 9:30–10:30 am, October 6 to May 14; no sessions Nov 24 & 27, Dec… · The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, Palm Desert · With admission · checked Oct 20. A drop-in, hour-long session for toddlers and the adults who bring them, held twice a week at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert. Educators lead nature-inspired…
- [NHL Learn to Play – Lil Firebirds (Jan 9–Mar 13, 2027)](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/activities/nhl-learn-to-play-lil-firebirds-jan-9-mar-13-2027--listing-a52c66bcaf345ee31db44093) — Once a week, 45 minutes, seven-week session Jan 9–Mar 13, 2027; day/time not printed · Berger Foundation Iceplex, Palm Desert · Ages 5–9 · Paid · checked Oct 13. The Berger Foundation Iceplex's NHL Learn to Play program is the official starting point for first-time hockey players ages 5–9. The next session runs January 9 to March 13…
- [Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/activities/santa-rosa-and-san-jacinto-mountains-national-monument-visitor-center--listing-14150711c287bcf573132d31) — Open Friday through Sunday 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New… · Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center, Palm Desert · checked Oct 13. The BLM visitor center for the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument sits on Highway 74 about 4 miles south of Highway 111 in Palm Desert. It is open Friday…
- [The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/activities/the-living-desert-zoo-and-gardens--listing-2948ce66b296dadef21e754f) — Open Daily 8:00am – 5:00pm, last admission at 4:00pm; closed December 25th · The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, Palm Desert · From $34.95 · checked Oct 13. Accredited zoo and botanical garden in Palm Desert with more than 600 animals in African, Australian and Americas habitats, desert gardens and trails, a splash pad, giraffe…

## Recently ended

- [Final 25th Anniversary Celebration of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/activities/final-25th-anniversary-celebration-of-the-santa-rosa-and-san-jacinto-m--listing-9666199e1437704b0e15a2dd) — ended Fri, Oct 23
- [Spooktacular Skate at Berger Foundation Iceplex](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/activities/spooktacular-skate-at-berger-foundation-iceplex--listing-538d642c1dc6e27072572103) — ended Fri, Oct 16

## Nearby

- [Things to do with kids in Riverside County, CA](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/counties/riverside-county-ca) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/riverside/counties/riverside-county-ca.md)
- Other towns in Riverside County, CA: [Temecula, CA](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/towns/temecula-ca) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/riverside/towns/temecula-ca.md), [Rancho Mirage, CA](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/towns/rancho-mirage-ca) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/riverside/towns/rancho-mirage-ca.md), [Murrieta, CA](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/towns/murrieta-ca) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/riverside/towns/murrieta-ca.md), [Palm Springs, CA](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/towns/palm-springs-ca) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/riverside/towns/palm-springs-ca.md), [Lake Elsinore, CA](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/towns/lake-elsinore-ca) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/riverside/towns/lake-elsinore-ca.md), [Beaumont, CA](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/towns/beaumont-ca) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/riverside/towns/beaumont-ca.md), [Corona, CA](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/towns/corona-ca) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/riverside/towns/corona-ca.md), [Jurupa Valley, CA](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/towns/jurupa-valley-ca) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/riverside/towns/jurupa-valley-ca.md), [La Quinta, CA](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/towns/la-quinta-ca) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/riverside/towns/la-quinta-ca.md), [Menifee, CA](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/towns/menifee-ca) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/riverside/towns/menifee-ca.md), [Cathedral City, CA](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/towns/cathedral-city-ca) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/riverside/towns/cathedral-city-ca.md), [Desert Hot Springs, CA](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/towns/desert-hot-springs-ca) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/riverside/towns/desert-hot-springs-ca.md), [Hemet, CA](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/towns/hemet-ca) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/riverside/towns/hemet-ca.md), [Perris, CA](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/towns/perris-ca) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/riverside/towns/perris-ca.md), [Whitewater, CA](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/towns/whitewater-ca) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/riverside/towns/whitewater-ca.md)
- [Things to do with kids in Riverside](https://grassyknees.com/riverside) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/riverside.md)
- [This weekend in Riverside](https://grassyknees.com/riverside/this-weekend) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/riverside/this-weekend.md)

Town pages are listed once a town has 3 current listings, county pages at 10.