Each February, thousands of visitors flock to Palm Springs to take in the full menu of events that constitute the 11 days of Modernism Week.
The festival is a celebration of the ideas and concepts in architecture and design that blossomed after World War II and helped shape the desert landscape, leaving stunning case studies by architects such as William F. Cody, John Lautner, Albert Frey, Donald Wexler, and Richard Neutra.
Many of the February events, films, and parties often sell out long before the festival begins. “The calendar is so full in February, attendees have to choose between events,” says Lisa Vossler Smith, executive director of Modernism Week. “With so many guests in town, residents are sometimes reluctant to be part of the Modernism Week crowds. The preview weekend in October gives them a chance to participate in the mini event without the larger crowds.”
Modernism Week Fall Preview (Oct. 9-12) includes the popular double-decker bus tours, guided walking tours, parties, and shopping at the Modernism Show & Sale. This year, the opening night party and preview reception for the Fall Modernism Show & Sale, as well as the Vintage Car Show, are held for the first time at the Palm Springs Air Museum.
For a schedule of Modernism Week Fall Preview, visit www.modernismweek.com.
For coverage of events and nightly parties, visit www.palmspringlife.com and our social media channels.
Top Events
Opening Night Party at the Modernism Show & Sale. Sip on a cocktail as you wander through the Palm Springs Air Museum checking out the art, furnishings, and décor items of the midcentury modern era. Oct. 9, 6–9 p.m. 745 N. Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs.
Meet the Architecture and Design Center: The Rat Pack Experience. The party’s honorary chairs are Frank’s daughter Nancy Sinatra and granddaughter Amanda Erlinger. Guests are encouraged to attend in ’60s fashions and party like the Rat Pack. Oct.10, 5–8:30 p.m. Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center, 300 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs.
Sunset Reception at The Swan House. The 1958 Swan House was rapidly deteriorating when it was saved by Howard Hawkes and Kevin Kemper of H3K Design in 2012. Their renovation added modern convenience while staying true to the home’s roots. A limited number of tickets are available for the opportunity to see this home. It has not been open to the public for many years. Oct. 11, 5–8 p.m. Thunderbird Heights, Thunderbird Road, Rancho Mirage.
Free events
Palm Springs Modernism Vintage Car Show.The Palm Springs Air Museum’s parking lot is filled with more than 40 classic and vintage vehicles from the 1920s to the ’80s. See how these former kings of the road were influenced by the midcentury world. Oct. 10, noon-3 p.m. 745 N. Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs.
Modernism Yard Sale. Early-birders, treasure hunters, and modernism lovers are all welcome at this parking lot sale featuring a carefully curated selection of collectibles, from tchotchkes to décor pieces. Oct. 11, 8 a.m.–2 p.m. Paul Kaplan Group and The Mod Shack parking lot, 1117 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs.
Lost, Saved, and Endangered: Modernist Architecture in Palm Springs. Palm Springs Preservation Foundation board member Gary Johns’ slide lecture includes rarely seen vintage photos. Oct. 11, 10 a.m.–noon. Palm Springs Women’s Club, 314 S. Cahuilla Road, Palm Springs.
Explore Uptown. This walking tour explores the shops, stores, and restaurants of the Uptown Design District. Oct. 11, 7–9 p.m. Starts at Alcazar Hotel, 622 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs.