Palm Desert Family-Friendly Fall Activities 2026

27 family-friendly fall activities in Palm Desert and nearby.

Palm Desert families can find Halloween celebrations from the Living Desert's Howl-O-Ween to events in nearby towns. Consider the size and cost when choosing, as some events are free and others require tickets.

All Family-Friendly Fall Activities Around Palm Desert

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Illustration of clay figures in costumes and a floating ghost at a Halloween party with a punch bowl and glowing pumpkins

Food, Drink, and Parties

1 of 13 14th Annual Día De Los Muertos Dinner Celebration & Fundraiser Indio

Outdoor dinner celebration with mariachis, ofrendas, tequila tasting, and auctions.

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 Illustration of a small cottage with glowing windows, ghosts, jack o'lanterns and a black cat among bare trees at twilight

Haunted Experiences

1 of 10 Escape Halloween: The Psycho Circus 2026 San Bernardino

The largest Halloween music festival experience

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 Illustration of white ghosts floating over houses with glowing windows and pumpkins, with a witch flying past a full moon

Unique & Unusual

1 of 13 Spooktacular Starry Night Palm Springs

Paint three whimsical ghosts floating across Van Gogh's iconic Starry Night.

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See all trunk-or-treats, pumpkin patches, and kid-friendly events nearby.

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Palm Desert Halloween events map - Click to view interactive map

Frequently Asked Questions

How do we prep for a corn maze with kids in Palm Desert?

Closed shoes that can get dirty, water, and a bathroom stop before entering are the big three. Pick the short family maze over the flagship one for under-8s; a full maze runs 45-90 minutes and patience dies at minute 30. Photograph the maze map at the entrance, agree that kids stay within arm's reach at junctions, and go before dusk on your first trip.

Which weekend is best for family Halloween events in Palm Desert?

The first weekend of October has full activities and the thinnest crowds; the two weekends before Halloween are wall-to-wall wagons. If you want the buzz, go peak; if you want photos without strangers in them, go early. Late September often means opening deals. For trunk-or-treats and costume parades, the weekend before Halloween is usually the only option, so book patches around it.

Are hayrides at Palm Desert farms okay for babies and toddlers?

Daytime, non-spooky hayrides are generally fine from infancy if a lap adult holds the child the whole ride; wagons bounce hard over field ruts. Sit toward the center, away from wheel edges, and skip rides where kids sit on loose hay bales without sides. Evening "haunted" versions with actors are a different product, so check which one you're queueing for.

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