When a Lie Takes Over a Life
Coachella Valley Repertory is launching its 2025-2026 season with the six-time Tony Award-winning musical Dear Evan Hansen, onstage at the CVRep Playhouse, at 68510 E. Palm Canyon Drive, in Cathedral City, at various times from Thursday, Dec. 4, through Sunday, Dec. 21. (There is also a preview performance at 7 p.m., tonight, Wednesday, Dec. 3.) Pierce Wheeler (pictured) steps into the title role after serving as the understudy on the national tour. This is an intimate musical about loneliness, connection and the small decisions that ripple through a family in crisis. The score, by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, is filled with emotional intimacy, and it should be particularly moving in CVRep’s smaller house. Tickets for most shows are $95. For more information, visit cvrep.org. —Charles Drabkin
Teen Turmoil Takes Center Stage
The Bent is bringing its latest production, Dog Sees God, to the Palm Springs Cultural Center, at 2300 E. Baristo Road, from Friday, Dec. 5, through Sunday, Dec. 21. The play reimagines the Peanuts gang as teenagers, and director Larry LaFond leans into a mix of humor and discomfort. The script sends these familiar characters through the messier parts of growing up, from identity questions to mental-health struggles. It’s not a nostalgia trip so much as a sideways look at the characters you thought you knew, dropped into a world filled with insecurities, desires and the harsh realities of growing up. Showtimes are at 7 p.m., Thursday through Saturday; and 2 p.m., Sunday, and tickets are $42. Find out more at thebent.org. —Charles Drabkin
High Desert Dance
Dance Mojave’s The Desert Nutcracker returns to the Sanctuary at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center, at 59700 Twentynine Palms Highway—and this version of the classic tale is shaped by creosote, quails and wide night skies. This one-of-a-kind production features more than 60 dancers spanning five generations, weaving together original and all-new choreography that moves between classical ballet, contemporary work, jazz and more. The result is a holiday tradition that plays to the strengths of its community, offering a mix of beautiful dance, charm and creativity. Performances take place at 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Dec. 5 and 6; and 2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 7. Adult general admission is just $25, with tickets for kids 4-17 $12.50; children 3 and younger are admitted for free. Click here for tickets and more information. —Charles Drabkin
Hardcore With Heart
Celebrate the holidays in a hardcore way. At 5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 6, check out Riffs and Gifts, a toy-drive show featuring a sleigh full of heavy punk acts hosted at Coachella Valley Brewing Co., at 30640 Gunther St., in Thousand Palms. Local breakthrough beatdown band Killfloor (pictured) will headline the show, with support by heavy bands from the desert and beyond such as Displaced, Strut, Plagas, Yield, Oceans Apart and XrecoilX. Admission costs $10, plus a new, unwrapped toy. Spread some Christmas cheer in the mosh pit, and help those who would otherwise go without toys this holiday! For more information, visit instagram.com/hotstuffbooking. —Matt King
Santa, Snow and Cocoa!
Kick off Christmas with a family celebration. From noon to 2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 7, enjoy Jingle Bell Rock, a holiday celebration for the whole family hosted at Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert, at 71701 Gerald Ford Drive, in Rancho Mirage. The museum’s outdoor space will transform into a winter wonderland, featuring live music, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, cookie decorating, story time, hot cocoa, arts and crafts, and more! You may even see some snow in the desert! Come jolly and ready for nonstop family fun. Tickets are $5. For tickets and more information, click here. —Matt King
Old-School Christmas
Enjoy a time-capsule holiday! At 7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 10, catch the opening night of Plaid Tidings, a holiday revue show featuring ’50s and ’60s-era Christmas classics, carols and comedy, hosted at Revolution Stage Company, at 611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs. They don’t make Christmas music like they used to, so come and enjoy some caring renditions of those old-school cheerful tunes, and leave room for some hearty holiday ha ha ha’s! If you miss the opening night, don’t sweat, as the show will run for seven more performances through Dec. 20. Tickets are $33-$43. For tickets and more information, visit www.revolutionstagecompany.com. —Matt King
Midday Movie Break
While the main Palm Springs Library building is under construction, the Welwood Murray Memorial Library, at 100 S. Palm Canyon Drive, is continuing the popular Second Friday Movie Screening at 11 a.m., Friday, Dec. 12 (and every second Friday of the month), this month featuring The Phoenician Scheme. The library puts out snacks; the chairs are comfortable; and the vibe is friendly. If you are unfamiliar with this Wes Anderson film, it brings together a cast of familiar faces, including Benicio del Toro, Michael Cera, Tom Hanks and Scarlett Johansson, for a dark-comedy espionage thriller. Admission is free! For more information and a complete list of films, click here. —Charles Drabkin
Cultural Celebration
A local cultural group is celebrating a year of their center being open. At 6 p.m., Friday, Dec. 12, Danza Azteca Citlaltonac, a local nonprofit that provides information and hosts cultural events showcasing the culture and traditions of the Anahuac peoples of Mexico, is hosting a One Year Anniversary Celebration at their Indigenous Culture Center, at 1030 Sixth St., Unit 10, in Coachella. While the group has been around to give blessings, perform cultural dances and educate locals for many years, their new home base—where visitors can stop by to browse educational literature or learn more about the group—has only been around for a year. The celebration will include music, a posada, a resource fair, raffles and an opening blessing from Danza Azteca—and admission is free! For more information, visit the Facebook events page. —Matt King
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