Best time to visit · Palm Springs · United States
The best time to visit Palm Springs
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Moorten Botanical Garden, Palm Springs · Photo: YuriVict, Public domain
Quick answer
The best time to visit Palm Springs is from February to April and in November, when days are warm and sunny at about 23–31°C and hiking is comfortable. January, October and December are also pleasant with fewer events. Avoid July and August unless you only want a cheap pool break, as highs regularly exceed 40°C.
Key facts
- Best months
- February–April and November
- Shoulder season
- May, October and December–January
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 42°C (108°F))
- Coldest month
- December (avg high 20°C (68°F))
- Rainiest month
- January (~4 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- July–August
Plan a trip to Palm Springs
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Seasons
Palm Springs has a hot desert climate with more than 300 sunny days a year: warm, dry winters with cool nights, and extremely hot summers when afternoon highs often pass 40°C. Rain is rare and falls mainly in winter, though summer monsoon storms occasionally bring wind and flash floods.
March–May
Spring
Warm, bright days, wildflowers in good years and the big Indio festivals, with temperatures climbing steeply through May.
June–August
Summer
Extreme heat above 40°C, the lowest hotel prices of the year and many places on reduced hours; outdoor activity is limited to dawn and the mountain top.
September–November
Autumn
Still hot in September, then ideal from late October, with the season and Pride weekend arriving in November.
December–February
Winter
Mild sunny days around 20°C, chilly nights, snow on the peaks and the busiest calendar: the film festival and Modernism Week.
Seeing more of United States? The best time to visit United States compares the best months of our 44 destinations there.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21°C 70°F | 8°C 46°F | 4 | 10.1 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| February | 23°C 73°F | 9°C 48°F | 4 | 10.9 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| March | 27°C 81°F | 12°C 54°F | 2 | 11.9 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| April | 31°C 88°F | 15°C 59°F | 1 | 13 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| May | 36°C 97°F | 19°C 66°F | 0 | 13.9 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| June | 41°C 106°F | 23°C 73°F | 0 | 14.4 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| July | 42°C 108°F | 27°C 81°F | 1 | 14.2 h | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| August | 42°C 108°F | 26°C 79°F | 1 | 13.4 h | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| September | 39°C 102°F | 23°C 73°F | 1 | 12.3 h | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| October | 33°C 91°F | 17°C 63°F | 1 | 11.3 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| November | 25°C 77°F | 11°C 52°F | 1 | 10.4 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| December | 20°C 68°F | 7°C 45°F | 3 | 9.9 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Palm Springs International Film Festival (usually early to mid-January) |
| February | Modernism Week — tours, talks and open houses (usually mid-to-late February); Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival in Indio (usually February) |
| March | BNP Paribas Open tennis at Indian Wells (usually March) |
| April | Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio (usually two weekends in April); Stagecoach country music festival in Indio (usually late April) |
| November | Greater Palm Springs Pride (usually early November) |
| December | Festival of Lights Parade on Palm Canyon Drive (usually early December); Indio International Tamale Festival (usually early December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in July–August, and the sights are quietest in July–September. Many visitors avoid July–August.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Palm Springs?
February–April and November are the best months. Of those, November is usually the least crowded and April the warmest, with highs around 31°C (88°F).
+When are hotel prices lowest in Palm Springs?
Usually in July–August. The hottest month, with nights that barely cool; some restaurants and attractions reduce hours or close.
+What is the rainiest month in Palm Springs?
January, with about 4 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Palm Springs get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 42°C (108°F) and lows of 27°C (81°F).