Rancho Mirage Writers Festival Opens Tuesday with Ken Burns, Rick Atkinson

The Rancho Mirage Writers Festival returns Tuesday for its 12th year, bringing roughly 60 to 70 authors and more than 1,000 readers to the Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory through January 30.

This year's festival continues a two-year theme tied to the United States Semiquincentennial—the nation's 250th anniversary, which will be commemorated on July 4, 2026. Headliners include documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, and crime novelist Michael Connelly.

The festival opens Tuesday at 7 p.m. with "Angel Night," featuring Burns and author Rick Atkinson in conversation about America's founding. 

Founded in 2014 by Jamie Kabler, the festival draws participants from around the world. Past presenters have included Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award, and Man Booker Prize recipients.