It’s time to get out of the house this week, desert dwellers.
If you’re like me and you’ve spent a lot of January recovering from a busy holiday season (and then busy kickoff to the 2026 event season with the Palm Springs International Film Festival), this is your sign to find a local event to get you out the door and enjoying everything our desert has to offer.
Here are The Desert Sun’s picks for the top events to attend the week of Monday, Jan. 26 in the Coachella Valley and surrounding communities. (If you’d like to submit an upcoming event of your own for a future 10 things to do roundup, see the bottom of this article for directions.)
Revolution Stage Company presents Comedy Riot Semi Finals
Already over this week? Rid yourself of the Monday blues at this laugh-out-loud comedy event. Aspiring comedians compete at Revolution Stage Company every Monday now through Feb. 2 to get their very own headlining comedy show at the Palm Springs theater. Note: Cash only at door night of show. Buy in advance with credit card.
When: 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26
Where: Revolution Stage Company, 611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
Cost: From $15
More info: revolutionstagecompany.com/comedy-riot
McCallum Theatre presents ‘Tango After Dark’
Take a trip to Buenos Aires without leaving the desert at this one-of-a-kind live tango dance experience. As the McCallum Theatre’s description says, “International tango Superstars and World Tango Champions German Cornejo and Gisela Galeassi, along with a group of eight world-class tango dancers, dance to the magical music of the one and only composer and bandoneon player, Astor Piazzolla, performed by an internationally renowned tango band” in this authentic Argentinian live show.
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27
Where: McCallum Theatre, 73-000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert
Cost: $73-$113
More info: mccallumtheatre.org/productions/german-cornejos-tango-after-d/
Coachella Valley Firebirds vs. Colorado Eagles
Whether you’re a longtime hockey fan or you recently finished watching “Heated Rivalry” and your dream is to have a Kip Grady moment (your Scott Hunter could be waiting for you, anything is possible in the desert), it’s the perfect time to check out your local hockey team. The Coachella Valley Firebirds play the Colorado Eagles this week, so grab your hat and scarf and head to the arena for West Coast vs Mountain West matchup.
When: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28
Where: Acrisure Arena, 75-702 Varner, Palm Desert
Cost: From $34
More info: acrisurearena.com/event/
Metal in the Desert
The Coachella Valley’s newest music venue hosted it grand opening Jan. 16, kicking off a slate of winter shows including everything from a weekly Motown on Mondays event to this evening of nonstop metal music. This all-ages show will include performances by bands Symptoms of Suicide, Inviscera, Sacred Origin, The Adventures Of, Girls Dies Miserably and Helltomb, and tickets are available both online and at the door the night of the show.
When: Doors at 5:30 p.m., show at 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 30
Where: The Dune Room, 82-707 Miles Ave., Indio
Cost: $10 at the door, $11.67 online
More info: duneroomindio.com/our-shows/
Mom At The Movies: The Films Of Eileen Heckart
Celebrate Oscar, Emmy, Tony, and Golden Globe winner Eileen Heckart at this new four-month-long film series at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. As the press release says, “Heckart built a five-decade career on emotional truth and impeccable timing. Hosted by her son, Luke Yankee, this series offers a rare, personal lens on a legendary career. Each pre-show features vintage clips, and television appearances.” The film screening this week is the 1960 Western/action movie “Heller In Pink Tights.”
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30
Where: Palm Springs Cultural Center, 2300 E. Baristo Road, Palm Springs
Cost: $13.64
More info: eventbrite.com
Musical Theatre University presents ‘Six The Musical’ Teen Edition
Watch rising local stars perform the teen version of the beloved Broadway show (the adult version of which happens to be headed to Hollywood Pantages Theatre next month) “Six.” As Musical Theatre University describes it, audiences will see “the six most famous Queen’s of England as they right ‘her-story’ as we know it. ‘Six the Musical’ is a global pop-concert sensation that reimagines the six wives of King Henry VIII as modern-day girl-group icons, competing to see who had the worst time with the King (divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived) to become the lead singer.”
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1
Where: Helene Galen Performing Arts Center at Rancho Mirage High School, 31-001 Rattler Road, Rancho Mirage
Cost: From $39.19
More info: eventbrite.com/o/
Plaza Theatre Palm Springs presents 1964 The Tribute
If you missed Paul McCartney’s September concert at Acrisure, you’re not going to want to miss this one-night-only Beatles tribute experience in Palm Springs. As the Plaza’s website says, “Over 20 years of researching and performing have made 1964 masters of their craft. They are hailed by critics and fans alike as THE most authentic and endearing Beatles tribute … which has earned them the distinction from Rolling Stone magazine as the “Best Beatles Tribute on Earth.” 1964 recreates an early ‘60s live Beatle concert with period instruments, clothing, hairstyles, and onstage banter with an accuracy that is unmatched.”
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31
Where: The Plaza Theatre, 128 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
Cost: $49-$125
More info: palmspringsplazatheatre.com/events/detail/beatles-tribute
Patrick Olson presents ‘The Art Of Science’
Looking to impress some guests in town, or just seeking a truly unique theatrical experience? Patrick Olson’s show “The Art Of Science” continues in Palm Springs this month with “new scientific insights, original music and questions that connect audiences to new thoughts and ideas,” according to a press release. “Olson’s original production opened as a musical off-Broadway in 2023 (under the name ‘Emergence’) with a strong critical review … (Olson) started the project to imagine a new kind of theater — one that fused live music, scientific storytelling, modern movement, and immersive visuals to explore the mysteries of the universe. … Reimagined as a one-man performance, ‘The Art of Science’ offers an emotionally charged, genre-defying journey through the cosmos.”
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31 (with other upcoming showings available, see link below)
Where: Studio 1068, 1068 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
Cost: Complimentary preview performance (must be reserved online, and each guest is limited to two ticket reservations)
More info: patrickolson.com
ONGOING SHOWS AND EXHIBITS
Revolution Stage Company presents ‘Assassins’
Kick off your 2026 with this local rendition of Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman’s Tony Award-winning musical “Assassins.” This show, as the theater press release states, “takes audiences on a disturbing yet fascinating journey through the twisted underbelly of the American psyche. This groundbreaking work blends historical fact with theatrical invention to create a provocative revue-style examination of the men and women who attempted — and in some cases succeeded — to assassinate U.S. presidents.”
When: Runs through Jan. 31 (see website below for times)
Where: Revolution Stage Company, 611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
Cost: $33-$49
More info: revolutionstagecompany.com/assassins
CV Rep presents ‘One Man, Two Guvnors’
Start your 2026 with Richard Bean’s award-winning “One Man, Two Guvnors,” his 21st century take on Carlo Goldoini’s classic 1746 play “The Servant of Two Masters.” As the theater’s press release says, this show follows “an out-of-work skiffle musician who winds up employed by two guvnors who have conflicting goals: Rachel Crabbe posing as her recently deceased twin brother, Roscoe, to hide from the police and deal with her father, and Stanley Stubbers, a posh criminal who is Rachel’s boyfriend (when she isn’t posturing as Roscoe), and, awkwardly, he is Roscoe’s murderer. That’s not even the half of this thoroughly funny and improbable romp that does, indeed, have a happy ending.”
When: Jan. 14-Feb. 1 (check website below for times)
Where: Coachella Valley Repertory, 68-510 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Cathedral City
Cost: $85
More info: cvrep.org
The Artists Council presents ‘Desert Plein Air’ Exhibition & Sale
The Artists Council and Desert Plein Air Association’s annual collaborative exhibit begins this week in Palm Desert in celebration of the plein air tradition — “an approach where artists paint directly outdoors, immersed in shifting light, atmosphere, and the living spirit of the landscape,” as the exhibit press release says. “By working on location, artists capture the immediacy of desert vistas and cityscapes, translating fleeting moments into vibrant canvases that reflect both technical skill and personal vision. … (celebrate) the wonderful landscapes and cityscapes the desert has to offer, seen through the eyes of artists who embrace the plein air technique to bring the beauty of our region vividly to life.”
When: Opening reception 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15; exhibit runs Jan. 15-Feb. 1
Where: Artists Center, 72-567 Highway 111, Palm Desert
Cost: Free admission, with art available for purchase
More info: artistscouncil.com/exhibition-schedule
Desert Ensemble Theatre presents ‘Dispersion of Light’
Desert Ensemble Theatre announced a few months ago that its 2025-26 season would be its last after 15 years of serving the Coachella Valley theater scene, so come support the group’s first show of 2026 while you still have the chance. “Dispersion of Light,” making its world premiere with DET with director Jerome Elliott Moskowitz, is a “a poetic and tempestuous portrait of artist Georgia O’Keeffe and photographer Alfred Stieglitz,” as the website states.
When: Runs through Feb. 1 (see website below for specific times)
Where: Palm Springs Cultural Center, 2300 E. Baristo Road, Palm Springs
Cost: $44.20
More info: desertensembletheatre.org
Desert TheatreWorks presents ‘Neil Simon’s Laughter on the 23rd Floor’
If you need a laugh this weekend, this show has you covered. Desert TheatreWorks promises “the coffee is strong, the jokes are sharp, and the egos are enormous” in its latest show. “Inspired by Simon’s own days in the writers’ room of ‘Your Show of Shows,’ this behind-the-scenes comedy captures the outrageous antics, razor-sharp banter, and heartfelt camaraderie of a team of comic geniuses.” Rating: PG-13. Runtime: 2 hours with intermission.
When: Now through Feb. 15 (see various dates and times at website below)
Where: Desert TheatreWorks, 45-175 Fargo St., Indio
Cost: $46.50-$49
More info: showpass.com/dtw-laughter-23rd-floor/
Prism Theater presents ‘Camp Morning Wood’
Palm Springs’ newest theater opened this month with a show that’s sure to turn some heads. Fresh from its Off-Broadway run, “Camp Morning Wood” is being staged for the first time outside of New York (making its West Coast premiere) here in Palm Springs. The theater press release describes the plot as follows: “When a newly engaged couple’s car breaks down, they find themselves unexpectedly stranded at a gay nudist camp. What follows is a laugh-out-loud mix of cheeky humor, toe-tapping songs, outrageous dancing, and strategically placed props that keep things covered … mostly. Bold, irreverent, and full of surprises, this musical promises a wildly entertaining night you won’t soon forget.” Note: This show is 18+ because it contains adult themes, nudity, strong language, sexual content.
When: Runs through March 22 (see website below for specific times)
Where: Prism Theater, 391 Indian Canyon Way, Palm Springs
Cost: $54.95
More info: prismtheater.org/shows
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: 14 things to do in the Coachella Valley this week, Jan. 26-Feb. 1
Reporting by Niki Kottmann, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
