A hub for Mid-Century Modern design, Greater Palm Springs, California, celebrates the enduring style of Desert Modernism during Modernism Week. Running Oct. 24–27, the annual event invites visitors to explore the region’s iconic homes, neighborhoods and architectural landmarks.
© Visit Greater Palm Springs
Explore celebrated residences such as Frank Sinatra’s Twin Palms Estate and other mid-century gems on curated bus tours. Fans of tiki culture can attend Escape into the World of Tiki!, an illustrated talk and tasting led by tiki authority Martin Cate. Design enthusiasts can join a free cocktail party and book-signing for Architectural Pottery at the Trina Turk Palm Springs boutique. Following the October program, Modernism Week returns for its 20th anniversary in February 2025: an expanded, 11-day festival featuring more than 350 events. Tickets go on sale Nov. 1.
Extend your immersion in modernist design by staying at one of Greater Palm Springs’ Mid-Century Modern–inspired hotels. Notable options include Mojave Resort, Orbit In, Limón and Parker Palm Springs, each offering architecture and interiors that echo the Desert Modernism aesthetic.
© Visit Greater Palm Springs
For deeper context, visit the Palm Springs Art Museum’s Architecture and Design Center. Housed in a 1960s modernist structure, the center showcases models, drawings, photographs and archival materials that document the region’s architectural legacy and the development of Desert Modernism.
Bring home a piece of mid-century style by shopping at the area’s well-regarded consignment stores. Local shops offer carefully curated furniture, lighting and decorative objects from the mid-century era. Start your search at respected consignment destinations such as Misty’s Consignments and Palm Springs Consignment & Gallery for unique finds that capture the spirit of the period.
Whether you’re touring celebrated houses, attending talks and signings, staying in an iconic modernist hotel, or shopping for vintage pieces, Greater Palm Springs offers a concentrated experience of Mid-Century Modern design and the Desert Modernism movement.