Palm Springs Kicks Off New Arts Festival With Free Show Tonight

Palm Springs is launching a brand-new arts and culture festival, XOXO Palm Springs, next month, and the public is invited to the free kickoff event at the Plaza Theatre tonight.

Doors open at 5 p.m. and the show starts at 6 p.m., featuring live performances from The Flamingo Girls, poet and performer Sweet Baby J'ai alongside Eve Evans on piano, Oneko on African drums, and Keisha D. on vocals, plus pianist and vocalist Mikael Healey with special guest Anna. The city says the evening will also include surprise moments and special appearances.

The launch event previews XOXO Palm Springs, an inaugural festival running June 11 through 22 across theaters, galleries, boutique hotels, historic landmarks, and outdoor spaces throughout the city. The festival mixes free and ticketed events, covering everything from film and architecture to music, dance, visual arts, and immersive experiences. Organizers say it's designed to be accessible to both residents and visitors.

XOXO Palm Springs is rooted in the ancestral lands of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and is billed as a celebration of the cultural heritage and creative community that defines the city.

For the full schedule, visit visitpalmsprings.com/xoxo-palm-springs.