Happy shoulder season, dear readers.
Whether you’re looking for a live show to entertain you, or you’re more interested in perusing some original art, we’ve got some great offerings in this week’s desert event roundup.
So, let’s get right to it. Here are The Desert Sun’s picks for the top events to attend the week of Monday, May 11 in the Coachella Valley and surrounding communities.
Palm Canyon Theatre presents ‘The Ritz’
Palm Canyon Theatre has a robust lineup to offer patrons in May, and this week, you can go see “The Ritz,” a hilarious comedy “set in a Manhattan gay bathhouse,” as the community theater’s website says. “When a straight man on the run from the mob hides out in an unexpected place, chaos ensues. With outrageous characters and mistaken identities, this rowdy 1970s romp is full of pure campy joy.” Visit the website below for a full list of performance dates and times.
When: Now through May 17
Where: Palm Canyon Theatre, 538 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
Cost: Varies depending on show
More info: palmcanyontheatre.net
John J. Benoit Behavioral Health Arts Festival
This free community event being held during Mental Health Awareness Month supports the talents of local artists living with mental health diagnoses by showcasing their original writing and artwork. Come browse dozens of paintings, drawings, jewelry and more art pieces on sale in Indio.
When: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday, May 12
Where: Taj Mahal, Riverside County Fairgrounds, 46-350 Arabia St., Indio
Cost: Free admission, with art available for sale
More info: datefest.org/events/2026/
The Bent presents ‘A Man of No Importance’
Local theater company The Bent is closing its 2025-26 season with “A Man of No Importance,” winner of the Outer Critics Circle Award for best musical, and the second collaboration between Terrence McNally, Lynn Aherns and Stephen Flaherty (“Ragtime”). The theater’s website describes the plot like this: “While attempting to put on an amateur production of Oscar Wilde’s “Salome” in a local church, bus conductor Alfie Byrne confronts the forces of bigotry and shame over a love ‘that dare not speak its name’ … ‘Man’ is a beautiful and tender musical tale of love, friendship and coming to terms with who we are and who we love.”
When: Now through May 24 (see website below for specific showtimes)
Where: The Palm Springs Cultural Center, 2300 E. Baristo Road, Palm Springs
Cost: $42
More info: thebent.org/season-4/
‘Convergence’ Art Exhibit
Head to Palm Springs’ Uptown Design District to see this dynamic new art exhibit. Rubine Red Gallery presents “Convergence,” a Marcus Doyle exhibit that “defines the notion that the nocturnal desert often looks like another world. In this series Doyle creates the feeling of an alien presence connecting with the landscape,” as the gallery describes it.
When: Now through June 4 (see website for gallery hours)
Where: Rubine Red Gallery, 668 N. Palm Canyon Drive, #102, Palm Springs
Cost: Free admission, with art available for purchase
More info: rubineredgallery.com/show-convergence
Free Family Performance of ‘Pete the Cat’
The Palm Springs Plaza Theatre is proud to announce a free, community performance of “Pete the Cat,” the beloved stage adaptation of the award-winning children’s book series of the same name. “Join the groovy blue cat as he helps second-grader Jimmy Biddle find his artistic inspiration in this 50-minute adaptation,” the theater’s website states. “The adventure takes them all the way to Paris and back in a VW Bus!”
When: 6 p.m. Thursday, May 14
Where: The Plaza Theatre, 128 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
Cost: Free admission, but must register at the website below
More info: palmspringsplazatheatre.com/events/
Joshua Tree Music Festival
If you missed out on/are already missing the April music festival season in Indio, a quick trip up to Joshua Tree will give you the tunes you need. The 24th Spring Joshua Tree Music Festival returns with a groovy lineup of people who are not (yet) household names, including rock band Thumpasaurus, Filipino rapper Ruby Ibarra, DJ Williams Band and several DJ sets. Beyond the music, you’ll find more than 100 movement, mindfulness and merriment workshops, kids activities and more.
When: Thursday, May 14-Sunday, May 17
Where: Joshua Tree Lake Campground, 2601 Sunfair Road, Joshua Tree
Cost: Starting at $50.46 for single-day tickets, $316.73 for all-weekend pass
More info: joshuatreemusicfestival.com
Yoga with a Ranger
Head to the National Monument in our backyard for a fun, outdoor yoga flow that anyone can do, regardless of skill level. “Connect with the landscape through a sequence of physical postures, movements, and breathing techniques that also strengthen your body and mind. Poses commonly mimic Earth, animals and trees,” the Friends of the Desert Mountains website states. Note: People often do this activity barefoot. Bring a yoga mat or towel, water, and sunscreen. Meet on the Visitor Center patio.
When: 9-10 a.m. on Thursday, May 14
Where: Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center, 51-500 Highway 74, Palm Desert
Cost: Free admission (all Friends of the Desert Mountains events are free but donations are requested, and you must reserve your spot online because there’s limited space available)
More info: desertmountains.org/event/
From Time Immemorial to 1876 and Beyond
May 15 marks the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation. As a result, the tribe is holding a free community event that will feature a Native American market, demonstrations, food vendors and bird singing and dancing. Admission to the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum will be complimentary on a limited basis. Interested attendees are invited to register online at the link below.
When: 4-9 p.m. Friday, May 15
Where: Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza, 140 N. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
Cost: Free
More info: aguacaliente.org/events
Coachella Movies in the Park presents ‘Cars’
The Desert Recreation District is partnering with the City of Coachella to bring free, family-friendly movies to the park every Friday night in May. This week, all ages are invited to a special screening of “Cars,” the G-rated film following “a hotshot rookie race car (who) gets stranded in a rundown town and learns that winning isn’t everything in life,” as IMDb describes it. All movie nights are subject to cancellation and reschedule if inclement weather becomes a safety concern.
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 15
Where: Bagdouma Park (next to the volleyball courts), 84-641 51st Ave., Coachella
Cost: Free
More info: coachella.org/residents/events
Sunnylands Films in the Gardens presents ‘The NeverEnding Story’
May is always a good time to head to Sunnylands, because it marks the return of the gardens’ annual free Films in the Gardens series. This year, the series features movies with a theme of “Growing Wild,” inspired by the estate’s exhibition “Curating Canopy: Trees at Sunnylands.” This week, the series continues with “The NeverEnding Story,” a film that, according to IMDb, features the following plot: “Bastian finds a magical book in an old bookstore that takes him on an adventure into the land of Fantasia.” Rated: PG. Run time: 1 hour 42 minutes.
When: 8 p.m. Friday, May 15
Where: Sunnylands Center & Gardens, 37-977 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage
Cost: Free admission
More info: sunnylands.org/event/
Lady A in Concert
Grammy Award-winning country superstars Lady A are bringing their latest tour to Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio. Known for their rich harmonies and signature blend of country, rock and pop, Lady A has become one of the most successful vocal groups of the 21st century. With 11 No. 1 hits, over nine billion streams and the 12x Platinum anthem “Need You Now,” this is a show fans won’t want to miss. Free parking and a $10 Free Play card is provided with each ticket.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, May 16
Where: Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio
Cost: Starting at $102.50
More info: fantasyspringsresort.com/lady-a/
To submit an event for The Desert Sun’s consideration in future 10 things to do stories, send an email to niki.kottmann@desertsun.com with the time, date, location and price of admission for your event, as well as a brief event description. Photos are not required, but are highly encouraged as part of the submission.
Tip: Send your submission as early as possible to make sure we have it in time, and to make sure your event jumps out in our inbox, put “10 things to do submission” in the email subject line.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: See what’s happening at Plaza Theater Palm Springs, Sunnylands, more
Reporting by Niki Kottmann and Ema Sasic, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
