Festival season is in full bloom, and there’s no better spot to revel in the vibe than the sun-soaked paradise of Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley. With Coachella behind us and Stagecoach gearing up for the weekend, the desert is still buzzing with energy—and not just from the festivals themselves. All throughout April, the area transforms into a playground of music, fashion, art, and culture, thanks to an endless lineup of pop-ups, parties, and can’t-miss experiences.

In the lull between festival weekends, the scene is anything but quiet. Think pool parties at legendary hotels, underground DJ sets, bustling street fairs, and brand activations that blur the line between entertainment and immersive art. Whether you’re riding the high from Coachella or just rolling in for the country-tinged chaos of Stagecoach, there’s plenty happening beyond the main stages to keep the good times rolling.

One of the biggest highlights this weekend? Sparkling Sessions: a vibrant desert takeover hosted by Sparkling Ice and Uproxx. Designed to kick off the summer music season in style, this can’t-miss party will feature a live performance by Jessie Murph, top-tier DJ sets by Politik and Le Chev, and a curated crowd of tastemakers for an epic day-to-night experience that captures the spirit of the season. Check out the full details here.

We’ve put together a guide to the coolest happenings across the desert, everything from sun-drenched day parties to late-night hangs, plus a few ways to chill out when it’s finally time to rest. And when you’re ready to crash? We’ve got the lowdown on our favorite stays, whether you’re all about boutique hotels or low-key, luxurious Airbnbs for your post-party recharge.

WHERE TO PARTY

Rock Yard Concert Series

84245 Indio Springs Parkway | 7-11pm

The Rock Yard outdoor concert stage is an amphitheater-style area featuring two side-by-side stages holding audiences of passionate music fans. The Rock Yard runs from Spring to Fall and is always live, free, and outdoors. New beer and drink specials (often themed to the bands performing on stage) are offered weekly. Guests must be 18 and older to rock.

• Friday, April 25: Deepest Purple (Deep Purple Tribute) with Know Illusion
• Saturday, April 26: Bonfire (AC/DC Tribute) with Steel Rod

For additional information, click here.

Festival Weekend Poolside

Ace Hotel & Swim Club | 11am-7pm

Make the most of your festival experience and make Ace Hotel & Swim Club your home base. Throughout festival weekends, enhance your desert daze with our carefully curated sounds poolside — where they’ll have DJs, drinks & sun. Swim Club Pool events are open to hotel guests and day pass guests only.

• April 26th: Nam + more
• April 27th: Saint Gilo + more

For additional information, click here.

Desert Rodeo

Desert International Horse Park | 11am – 5pm

Sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), DESERT RODEO is bringing the ultimate western experience to the desert on Friday, April 25th to Sunday, April 27th with world class cowboys such as 8x PRCA World Champion Stetson Wright and cowgirls like 4x WPRA World Champion Hailey Kinsel. Cowboy Channel + will also be livestreaming the daily performances, which will include 8 rodeo events such as Bull Riding and Barrel Racing.

Beyond the rodeo competition, DESERT RODEO is fusing a mix of iconic Western brands, including Wrangler, Boot Barn, and Stetson, alongside globally recognized names like Coca-Cola, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Código 1530 and Bud Light, the Official Beer Sponsor of Desert Rodeo. Innovative partners like Rivian also join the lineup, bringing a modern edge to the Western experience.

Open to all ages from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m, each rodeo performance will kick off at 1 p.m with a stirring delivery of the American flag by the Skydance SkyDiving Parachute Team followed by national anthem performances by country singer Lanie Gardner (April 25), singer/songwriter Genelle Seldon (April 26) and local singing duo, 12-year-old Audrey Lambert and 13-year-old Clarisse Pascoe (April 27).

DESERT RODEO will also incorporate community driven fundraising efforts each day to support the following organizations and their missions – Friday, April 25: California Fire Foundation, Saturday, April 26: County of Los Angeles Fire Department and Sunday, April 27: Golden Circle of Champions.

Friday’s festivities will feature a special appearance and meet-and-greet with the four farmers from FOX’s Farmer Wants a Wife, offering fans a chance to connect with the stars of the hit series: Matt Warren, John Sansone, Colton Hendricks and Jay Woods.

For additional information, click here.

Sparkling Sessions: The Desert

Von Dutch Ranch | 2-5 pm

Get ready, because Uproxx and Sparkling Ice are back and bigger than ever with Sparkling Sessions Season 2.0 on Saturday, April 26th.

Building on the success of previous ‘Sparkling Sessions’ events at major festivals – including Coachella, Lollapalooza, and Austin City Limits – this latest installment promises an unforgettable experience just two miles from the Stagecoach Festival grounds. Part intimate concert series and part custom cocktail-infused dance party, the ‘Sparkling Sessions’ series has provided intimate fan experiences with artists such as Pink Sweat$, Teyana Taylor, Justine Skye, Zack Fox, THEBROSFRESH, and Dasha, bringing a shot of flavor and an undeniable energy to some of the biggest cultural celebrations.

The event is free to attend, but space is limited and will be filled on a first come, first-served basis. Guests must RSVP to secure their spot and receive location details.

For more information and RSVP for free, click here.

WHERE TO STAY

From poolside boutique hotels to retro-chic Airbnbs with desert mountain views, Palm Springs and the Indio Valley offer a wide range of stay options to match your vibe and budget. Want to be in the heart of the party scene? There are iconic hotels with on-site DJ sets and late-night lounges. Prefer something more low-key? Opt for a quiet desert oasis where you can recharge between sets under the stars.

Drift Palm Springs

This hotel has quickly become a Palm Springs staple and one of our favorites for a sexy escape. It’s stylish, boho, and feels impeccably fresh and clean. The pool scene is not chaotic but definitely features an array of Hollywood cool kids and plenty of mingling. The restaurant is an absolute highlight — with clever and elevated riffs on Mexican classics.

Perhaps one of the ultimate perks of this property is how solid and spacious it feels. Rather than feeling like you’re on top of other guests, the desert-minimalist rooms and soundproofed walls make your sanctuary feel private and quiet. Definitely the perfect property for anyone trying to balance the chaos of festivals with some deeply relaxing downtime. That philosophy is underscored by the numerous sound healings and yoga sessions available on site.

One big note: Our hotel review series always mentions “bed game” — well these beds are impeccable. The sheets are delicate and soft to the touch, with no harsh bleach smells. The pillows are soft and supple — you slowly ease into them when you lay your head down.

BOOK HERE FOR COACHELLA WEEKEND 2, STAGECOACH, OR MIDWEEK STAYS — $439/night

Onyx House

The Onyx House gets everything right. You walk into the place and immediately feel 20% cooler. Clearly, it was created by someone with good taste. But as great as the design and layout are, those aspects aren’t the property’s biggest perk. Here’s what hit me the hardest during a recent stay:

• Best Pool And Hot Tub Of Any Rental I’ve Ever Stayed In. This isn’t even up for debate. The pool gets up to 90 degrees (I didn’t figure this out until the morning I left, sadly) and the hot tub fits eight comfortably. Both are in-ground and incredibly sleek. They’re also both saltwater — meaning your skin doesn’t get dry and your eyes don’t water from excessive chlorine. Oh, and they have lighting systems for your night hangs!
• A Very Cool Gathering Space. The main living room of the Onyx house is actually separated from the bedrooms and kitchen by a hallway. There you’ll find a massive TV linked to all the streaming apps, a very comfy couch, and even barn doors to open the space up. Does it feature a bunch of cool art and rustic ceramics? You’d better believe it.
• A Yoga Platform. Every morning of my life, I wake up saying “I want to do breathwork! I want to do yoga!” But I almost never have time. I did both breathwork and yoga during my stay at the Onyx House because the space spoke to those sorts of pursuits but more importantly because I had room to practice them without distraction. The yoga platform is surrounded by desert and rocks and if you’re going to do some sun salutations I can’t think of a better place to do them than while watching the sun crest over the craggy hills.
• Nature All Around. The past few years have seen a land grab in “J-Tree” as LA folks with tons of style buy up properties on the cheap, remodel them, and give them cool names. But as much as everyone wants to lay claim to being an “oasis,” I’ve rarely seen a property that is truly built into the hills in this way. Whereas many trips to the desert include driving to trailheads, at the Onyx House we just walked straight up into the wilderness from the backyard. It was beautiful and made the home feel incredibly private.
• Big Hotel Energy. The Onyx House is not one of those “clean every dish, strip the beds, and mop the floors” type rentals that everyone (rightfully) hates. This property is refined and operates much more like a true hotel. Check-in was easy, check-out was easier, and the property was beautifully appointed. I didn’t feel like I was in someone’s bedroom — I felt like I was at a hotel. Except better because we were the only guests.

Price Per Night: $1165

BOOK HERE

JW Marriott Palm Desert

This is the perfect property for that friend who likes to do stuff. Like… a lot of stuff. And that’s why we love it so much. The features golf, tennis, pickle ball, a spa, an arcade… and not the “we’re just doing this to say we have it” version of those amenities either. These grounds are absolutely dialed. And immense — with multiple pools and on-site restaurants.

Seriously, look at this spot:

The rooms are well appointed and suites have sexy-as-hell tubs with a giant window out to the bed. Meaning that the sexiness rating of this hotel is very high. Especially when you take in all the opportunities for relaxation that are availible — from lounging poolside to spending a long day in the world class spa.

If you like a little room to move, tons of activities, and an oasis vibe, this is your spot. Folks needing to tap in with work will love the coworking space in the lobby!

BOOK HERE FOR COACHELLA WEEKEND 2, STAGECOACH, OR MIDWEEK STAYS — $413/night

Amaru Muru

This house is really… well, to be honest, it’s what people fantasize about when they plan a Joshua Tree weekend. It’s ultra clean, very minimalist, and almost impossibly sexy. A sister property to the Onyx House, this B&B is even more stylish (and spacious). You are plopped right in the middle of the desert with views in every direction. If you do decide to venture off property, coffee is close and Joshua Tree National Park is just a few miles away.

The highlights:

• Heated Saltwater Ozone Pool
• Saltwater Ozone Hot Tub
• Yoga and Ceremony Room with walls that can be fully pushed open.
• 3 Bedrooms plus a 2nd living space with a sofa bed.
• In-ceiling Sonos surround sound speakers throughout the house.

When I stayed, we ate under the stars every night and swam in the pool deep into the night. The property was created with immense care, and I can’t say enough about how deeply that translates into the design. Like the Onyx house, there’s almost no plastic in sight. It’s really a spectacular thing. Moreover, no expenses were spared. Sometimes you rent a really nice house and everything in it is the “rental version” (read: super cheap). But here everything is dialed.

Our highest recommendation for a sexy desert retreat.

Price Per Night: $500

BOOK HERE

WHERE TO DECOMPRESS

After the dust, the dancing, and the all-night sets, a little decompression is essential. Luckily, Palm Springs knows how to slow things down just as well as it knows how to party. Whether you’re nursing a post-festival haze or just craving a bit of peace and quiet, the desert offers plenty of mellow ways to recharge.

The Spa at Séc-he

As soon as you walk in The Spa at Séc-he, it’s clear that every aspect of the space was thought through in great detail. From the design elements honoring the history and culture of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, the circular layout of this massive wellness center, the unique, one-of-a-kind massage tables, the decor of the waiting rooms — everything has a story, a reason for being, and an in-depth explanation.

On top of that, Séc-he is truly an epicenter for all of your wellness needs. Not only do they offer every type of massage therapy you can imagine (the list is longer than the Cheesecake Factory menu), but with a “Taking of the Waters Day-Pass,” one can easily spend an entire day taking advantage of the spa’s many amenities and still walk away as relaxed as ever.

The pass allows access to some things that you’ve seen at most spas—access to a steam and sauna room, cold plunge, fitness center, pool, and hot tub access, relaxing common areas, and grooming amenities. But even these offerings are far from typical. The steam room has eucalyptus for promoting skin health and improving your respiratory wellness while acting as a natural stimulant to re-energize you. The sauna includes menthol inhalation, which is known to provide symptomatic relief for upper airway congestion and reduces capsaicin cough sensitivity. The showers are equipped with aromatherapy steam and vitamin C-infused water. The bright smell and feel of this water was so divine, I took three showers during my day visiting this spa.

Not for nothing, but if you want to see famous people at leisure during Coachella… this is the spot. That said, they’re here to relax — let them be.

To book a day pass and spa services, click here.