Palm Springs Village Fest is a night shopping day happen every Thursday night from 6 pm to 10 pm. We were lucky as we were in Palm Springs on the Thursday night, few days before Christmas. Palm Springs Village Fest is a special activity which only happen here, attracting many local tourists every week.
Village Fest in Palm Springs is something like our “Pasar Malam” or Night Market. When we were driving towards our hotel at around 4.30 pm, we saw there were road block and only realized it was the Village Fest when we came out to have our dinner.
The Village Fest is situated in the heart of downtown Palm Springs, Off Palm Canyon Drive – just two minutes walk from where we stayed. I was kind of shocked to see so many people crowd the place suddenly in this small town with population only at around 48,000 residents.
We have a stroll in the evening and found out there were entertainment, art, food and shopping offer at Palm Springs Village Fest Street Fair. I also noticed there were many local tourists coming here to enjoy the Village Fest atmosphere.
Talented Musicians
I found about 6 musicians at the Village Fest, young, old or native singers.
Colorful Lamps
Shops selling candles
Japanese Health Massage
Stall set up in this way, look very much like the Thai massage in Thailand. The Asian immigrants here love to associate anything with “Japan” because anything associate with Japan sound superior and prestige and can charge more.
Police Car at the end of the road at Village Fest
American Native Indian Musicians
Listen to good native musics, using all the native instruments to play.
Palm Springs Police
It was interesting to see Palm Springs Police also has a stall here, selling tee shirts 🙂
Creation from Local Artisan
You get to see or buy the artwork from the local artisan, most of the things they made are made by hands and pretty original, not those mass production stuff.
Artist at Work
Palm Springs Animal Shelter
I have donated few dollars for the animal shelter.
Horse Feeding & Animal Petting
Some farmers even bring their livestock here, visitors who like to feed the farm animals donate $5 to $10.00 and have a chance to touch and feed the horses. There are also rabbits and pigs.
Santa’s Grotto
Gym Pilates workshop
Pilates instructor demonstrates in front of the crowd, how he uses the machine to work together with his move and flexibility.
Another Singer in Village Fest
Restaurants & Dining
There are many restaurants to choose from near Village Fest night market, pizza, burger, Thai, Japanese, Mexican etc.
Brickworks – serves pizza & burger
Maracas Mexican Restaurants – serving Mexican cuisine & margaritas & teguilas.
Crazy Mels Burgers & Bar with Interesting Deco
Japanese Cuisine vs Chinese Cuisine
We wanted something hot as the weather is super cold at night in Palm Spring because it is desert land. Finally we went for Japanese because we can’t find Chinese. Having been living in Japan for years, I think I can tell what is an authentic Japanese cuisine or not. The below noodles tasted way different from the real typical Japanese udon and ramen.
Why Japanese Restaurants are everywhere?
In America, I can’t say whole America, as I only travel in the California state, I found there were not many Chinese Restaurants as compared to Japanese restaurants which can be seen everywhere. In facts, most Japanese restaurants are not owned by Japanese but owned by Korean or Chinese immigrants. I noticed that after eating in several Japanese restaurants during our stay in California.
Eating Japanese cuisine in America seems like a trendy and prestige things. May be small piece of rice and some protein on top – sushi has a better presentation than a stir fry in a big plate. Another reason why less Chinese restaurants could be due to the price is too low compared to Japanese, owner can make more profit if they sell Japanese rather than Chinese food. Not sure with the uprising of China, there will be more upscale Chinese restaurants in America?
Final thoughts :
The Village Fest Palm Springs is really a nice discovery for us as this only happen every Thursday night. We are lucky to be able to experience and see the local artisan and farmers coming together in the street fair to promote their products. Along the routes, few musician with different style of music sing for the visitors, pretty cool vibe. Yeah, you should look at the way local vendor made the pop corn, pretty interesting for someone who comes from Asia. This is the place for everyone I guess, farmers, artisan, musician, police & animals all gather at night to have a great party. Overall, I have great fun.
Other attractions in Palm Springs California :
- Palm Springs Aerial Tramride
- Cabazon Desert Hills Premium Outlet Shopping
- Palm Springs Downtown
- Road Trip Palm Springs to Las Vegas
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I love night markets and it looked like you had a great night too. I really enjoy markets where booths stand in the corner especially with their art crafts and the musicians too.
Thanks MJ, is cool to have some nice real live music when you shop around in the open booth!
Sounds like a fun and interesting evening. It’s always cool to stumble upon unique events during our travels.
Dear newpasture,
Yes, it is pretty unique for me to see the local farmers and artisan work! Great culture exchange!
Travel makes us learn new things. We get lost, we are in trance but still we do need food. So, excellent piece this of yours.
Dear sphericalinsight,
Yes, travel is a learning journey.
This looks like such a fun place to visit! I love seeing local markets and experience live authentic music and the food looks great too!
Ithfifi Williams / IthinityBeauty,
Yes, the musicians are great from young and old perform at the open air! Love the vibe!
Palm Springs is amazing anyway, but with this village fest it looks even more amazing. The food looks amazing!! x
Dear forkwardthinkingfoodinista
Thanks for your comment. Yes, this is the playground for Hollywood stars back in the 1940s 🙂
I love Night Markets. We have them in Philadelphia when the weather is nice. I’m always excited for the food. It’s cool to see how other cities do theirs.
Dear Monique Elise,
Yes, night market is always fun. But it is even more fun if it happen in winter, at least everyone feel a bit cosy!
This looks wonderful. I can imagine a great variety of sounds, sights and smells amongst the excitement here. An evening market like this always has a fun and friendly atmosphere.
Dear Elizabeth,
You are so right, the atmosphere was super friendly and good happy vibe!
Wow, this looks fun. We don’t really have night time markets here in the UK, apart from the occasional one just before Christmas. But when we do have them, I really enjoy them. I wouldn’t mind travelling to Palm Springs to find this little gem, however!
Dear Liz,
Haha, I guess UK is too cold to have night market – may be? Been to UK in summer but still very chill for me who lives in Asia 🙂
You will love Palm Springs Villagefest!
This looks like such a fun place to visit, I am always interested in seeing local markets, food, and talent when I visit some place new. All the pictures look so amazing.
Dear Preet@thevelvetlife,
Thank you for your comment! It is a fun place full of great vibes!
Looks like you had a good time. Reminds me of the Pecan Street Festival which continues well into the night with live music, arts and crafts, food, and local vendors. I have never been to a night time market.
Dear itsnadianelson,
Yes I enjoy the night market a lot at Palm Springs. I hope to visit Pecan Street Festival one day too!
I do really love night market and I really like to visit this place soon. It looks so much fun and try their mouth-watering Ramen.
Dear Shubhada Bhide,
The Ramen there was not the most authentic but good to fill in the stomach. What do I expect? Being able to eat a ramen in the desert is good enough already 🙂
Village fest night market sounds like a fun event at Palm Springs! Your pictures speak for itself how amazing it is! I’d love to visit there!
Dear Ana,
Thank you for your comment. Yes, Village Fest only happen every Thursday night and very interesting and good vibes!
I love Palm Springs and have been to this market. I was there recently. I am so in love with the modernist vibe of the city.
Dear Fabiola,
I am glad you enjoyed Palm Springs night market just like I do. At least you know what I am talking about!