With the change of season and the start of fall, our high desert community is buzzing with activity. We see an increase of visitors coming out to the California desert as temperatures drop and outdoor activities become more comfortable. In addition to the rock climbing season kicking off and traffic into Joshua Tree National Park on the rise, the fall also signifies festival season. In these next two action packed months the high desert offers a wide variety of arts & culture festivals, and in this upcoming festival season there really is something for everyone!
We’ve listed below a great collection of annual fall events such as the Joshua Tree Music Festival and Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours, and the first ever Night Sky Festival in Joshua Tree National Park. Come out for the weekend, or stay a little longer and enjoy all that the high desert has to offer this fall season!
Joshua Tree Music Festival
October 8-11,2015
This family friendly festival happens twice annually, once in the fall and once in the spring, and offers 4 days of yoga, live music, action packed kidsville, organic foods & world markets, magical visual arts and music and didjeridoo playshops.
"The desert is freedom, music is power and community is crucial"
Twentynine Palms Pioneer Days
October 15-18, 2015.
Pioneer Days is celebrated each October with a parade, carnival, Honorary Judge & Sheriff contest,Little Miss and Master contest, Outhouse Races, and other festive events.
The carnival, vendors, and community booths are in Luckie Park Thursday through Sunday, plus music, beer garden, arm wrestling tournament, pet parade, and more.
Saturday features a Firefighters Pancake Breakfast and Grand Marshals' Tribute from 6 to 10 a.m.; Parade downtown at 10 a.m.; Old Timers Gathering at the Schoolhouse Museum 1-4 p.m.; Chili Dinner at the 29 Palms Art Gallery 5-8 p.m.; and many more events. Enjoy down-home family fun!
The 2015 event features a "Salute to Those Who Serve."
Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours
October 17-18 & 24-25, 2015.
The 14th annual Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours is brought to you by the Morongo Basin Cultural Arts Council which was been working with artists all year to bring you this unique, two weekend art event.
With 140 local artists are participating this year the Open Studio Art Tours offer an incredible opportunity to experience firsthand the behind-the-scenes creativity of this thriving art community, inspired by its incredible landscape and wildlife of the Mojave Desert!
Your self-guided tours require some planning so be sure to give yourself some time to review the catalog and maps, and take note of the numerous information centers set up both throughout the Morongo Basin and also in the low desert.
Joshua Tree National Park Night Sky Festival
October 17-18, 2015.
2016 marks the 100th birthday of the National Park Services and to kick off the Centennial celebrations the amazing staff at Joshua Tree National Park have organized the first ever Night Sky Festival. Bringing together astronomers, scientists, cultural speakers, night-sky enthusiasts, artists, volunteers and junior rangers to celebrate and enjoy the starry night skies of Joshua Tree National Park!
Help make the event a success and visit the website below for important shuttle information, night sky viewing etiquette and what to bring and not bring into the park with you.
Twentynine Palms Historical Society Annual Weed Show
November 7-8, 2015.
The Weed Show is one of Twentynine Palms’ oldest and most unique artistic traditions. This annual display, now in its seventh decade, features artistic arrangements of indigenous desert vegetation as well as found objects both natural and man-made - a desert rendition of the traditional concept of floral display. Each show follows a specific theme. The theme for 2015 is Diamond in the Rough, 75 Years in the Making.
The show is open to the public from noon-4pm on Saturday, Nov 7 and from 10am-4pm on Sunday, Nov 8. Admission is free, donations greatly appreciated. The Twentynine Palms Historical Society is located right across the street from the 29 Palms Inn at 6760 National Park Drive, in 29 Palms.
Twentynine Palms Chalk Fest
November 7-8, 2015.
The Chalk Fest is now in its 4th year and takes place outside adjacent to the Old Schoolhouse Museum in Twentynine Palms the same weekend as the annual Weed Show. Professional and amateur chalk artists from all over California come together and create beautiful murals and drawings on the pavement and compete for prize money. Children are included in this event, too, with plenty of chalking opportunities and instruction. Booths, food, beverages, music, and other artistic activities take place adjacent to the Old Schoolhouse Museum, 6760 National Park Drive.
Joshua Tree National Park Art Exposition
November 13-15, 2015.
The 3rd annual Joshua Tree National Park Art Exposition takes places at the Oasis of Mara in Twentynine Palms, and is a three-day family friendly event with art, music, cultural talks, nature walks and an exceptional juried Art Exhibition. This event celebrates the beauty of Joshua Tree National Park and the spirit of artistic expression that it inspires in its visitors.
The juried Art Exhibition will be on display at the 29 Palms Art Gallery from November 6-29, with the opening reception and awards night on Friday, November 13, from 5-8pm.
A wide variety of events are scheduled for Saturday & Sunday, including art workshops, interpretive walks with the Park Superintendent David Smith, artist booths, live music and great food on the lawn at the 29 Palms Inn and so much more!
Full event schedule coming soon, please check back!
