As fall and early winter approach, Twentynine Palms is gearing up with an incredible lineup of events!
From music festivals and art exhibitions to climbing competitions and food festivals, there’s something for everyone. Be sure to check our event calendar for a full listing of events and don’t wait—book your stay in Twentynine Palms now and experience the best of the High Desert!
September 2024
September brings a vibrant mix of culture and cuisine to Twentynine Palms. The 29 Queer Film Festival at Theatre 29 showcases the creative voices of queer filmmakers from the High Desert and beyond. Up next is the Taste of the Des 29 Palms Food Festival, offering a culinary journey with delicious dishes from local vendors paired with live music, all set against the backdrop of Freedom Plaza. It’s a month to celebrate diversity, creativity, and flavor!
29 Queer Film Festival | Theatre 29 | September 20-22
A film event dedicated to showcasing the creativity of queer filmmakers from the High Desert and around the world at Theatre 29.
Taste of the Des 29 Palms Food Festival | Freedom Plaza | September 22
Get ready for a feast for the senses at Taste of the Des, where mouthwatering food meets live music. Enjoy diverse culinary delights from top vendors and groove to the beats of talented musicians.
October 2024
October in Twentynine Palms is packed with unique experiences, from stargazing under the pristine night skies at the annual Night Sky Festival to celebrating the city’s rich heritage during the 88th Annual Pioneer Days. Art lovers can immerse themselves in the Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours and Art After Dark, a new addition featuring local music performances. Add in the global rhythms of the Joshua Tree Music Festival, and October promises unforgettable adventures in the heart of the High Desert.
Night Sky Festival | Sky’s The Limit Observatory and Nature Center | October 4-5
Annual fundraiser supporting Sky's The Limit Observatory and Nature Center and Joshua Tree Education Experience, celebrating our stunning night skies and Joshua Tree National Park’s International Dark Sky Park certification.
88th Annual Pioneer Days | City-Wide | October 17-20
Beloved tradition that celebrates our city’s rich heritage. Multi-day programming of fun, family-friendly activities and events that bring the community together. Stay tuned for more details to be released soon!
Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours | Basin Wide | First three weekends in October
Offering an extraordinary opportunity to explore the studios and lifestyles of working artists in Twentynine Palms and across the Morongo Basin, and the opportunity to acquire art directly from local artists and makers.
Art After Dark | Basin Wide | First three weekends in October (New!)
New for 2024, the Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours will also be celebrating the local music scene in the Morongo Basin as part of Art Tours After Dark. Fourteen venues from across the Morongo Basin will host free live performances by High Desert musicians on each weekend of this year's Art Tours.
Joshua Tree Music Festival | Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground | October 10-13
Bi-annual, four-day global music experience committed to radical inclusion, eclectic music, immersive multidisciplinary workshops, inspiring visual arts and installations, and more.
November 2024
November in Twentynine Palms brings a mix of art, history, and outdoor adventure. The Joshua Tree National Park Art Exposition showcases inspiring art reflecting the desert’s beauty, while the quirky Weed Show offers a playful take on desert life. The Joshua Tree Half Marathon invites runners to race under the stars, and the Twentynine Palms Book Festival celebrates the region’s literary and cultural spirit. There’s no better time to experience the blend of creativity, tradition, and adventure that defines this desert community!
Joshua Tree National Park Art Exposition | 29 Palms Art Gallery | November 2-3 / 2-30
Celebrates the vibrant art inspired by our iconic national park and features a month-long juried art exhibition, artist receptions, and interactive art experiences.
Twentynine Palms Historical Society’s Weed Show | Old Schoolhouse Museum | November 2-3
Established in the 1940s, the annual Weed Show is a fun and quirky local tradition and art exhibit where participants design stunning and eclectic arrangements made from native desert flora and found objects and compete for category ribbons.
Vacation Races Joshua Tree Half Marathon | JT Lake RV & Campground | November 2
A one-of-a-kind Night Race featuring a 13.1-mile course taking runners through the desert and under the stars! Following its launch several years ago, this has become one of the most popular races in Vacation Races’ lineup which feature full + half marathons across the country outside of our country’s most iconic national parks!
Twentynine Palms Book Festival | Freedom Plaza + City Wide | November 8-9
Now in its second edition and expanded to two full days of programming, the literary event merges popular literature, Mojave Desert culture, and California's rebellious spirit!
December 2024
December in Twentynine Palms brings thrilling adventures to close out the year. Rock-climbing enthusiasts can take part in Climb Smart, a premier event offering expert-led clinics and gear demos in the breathtaking Indian Cove area of Joshua Tree National Park. For the first time ever, the 29 Palms Rock Rumble Royale will bring professional bouldering athletes to town for an epic competition, with all the excitement centered at Freedom Plaza. It's a month full of adventure, adrenaline, and desert beauty!
Climb Smart | Indian Cove Campground, Joshua Tree National Park | December 6-8
Held at Indian Cove within the national park, the event offers rock-climbing enthusiasts expert-led clinics, gear demos, safety workshops, and more – fostering community, education, and stewardship.
29 Palms Rock Rumble Royale | Freedom Plaza & Joshua Tree National Park | December 13-14
The first ever professional bouldering competition to take place in Joshua Tree National Park and the first of its kind in the climbing industry! Professional climbing athletes from across the U.S. will be competing for cash prizes with all the action taking place at Freedom Plaza.