By Bob Bogard

Modernism Week takes place February 13-23, 2025, highlighting midcentury modern architecture, art, interior and landscape design, and vintage culture in the Palm Springs area of Southern California. The popular annual 11-day festival will feature more than 400 events including the Palm Springs Modernism Show, tours of iconic homes in more than 35 neighborhoods and communities, walking tours, and nightly parties. Also offered are a range of architectural double-decker bus tours, several fashion-related events, tours of the historic Annenberg Estate at Sunnylands, a classic car show, landscape talks and garden tours, walking and biking tours, and a series of compelling and informative talks with world-class speakers. All events are open to the public and tickets are on sale now at modernismweek.com. Some events sell out quickly due to limited capacity. A portion of ticket proceeds benefit Modernism Week (a non-profit organization) and other local preservation, neighborhood, and community groups.

Modernism Week History

In 2005, following the success of both the Palm Springs Modernism Show & Sale and the annual symposium organized by the Palm Springs Art Museum’s Architecture and Design Council, a group of local design and architecture aficionados created a committee to produce Modernism Week’s first event in February 2006 to showcase the world-renowned midcentury modern architecture of Palm Springs.

Among the members of the initial steering committee were representatives from the Modernism Show & Sale, Palm Springs Preservation Foundation, the Palm Springs Modern Committee, the Palm Springs Historical Society, and the Palm Springs Art Museum.

The first weekend included only a few hundred participants who attended five events including the symposium, a few lectures, and a reception. Each year the demand for additional programing increased and the founding partner organizations expanded their offerings. By 2009, programming was offered on two weekends. Eventually mid-week programming was introduced, and the event continued to grow progressively in scope and attendance until it reached its current schedule of 11 days and hundreds of events.

Modernism Week 2025 Live Entertainment Offerings

Modernism Week will offer many exciting live entertainment options during the 11-day festival that will take place in Palm Springs, California in February 2025. This 20th Anniversary of Modernism Week will feature more than 500 events including the Palm Springs Modernism Show, tours of iconic homes in more than 28 neighborhoods and communities, walking tours, and nightly parties. All events are open to the public and tickets are on sale now at modernismweek.com. Some events sell out quickly due to limited capacity and high demand.

“We know that our guests greatly enjoy the array of live entertainment options that we offer each year during the festival,” said Mark Davis, Modernism Week Theater and Travel Producer. “We are delighted to partner again with the Palm Springs International Jazz Festival to incorporate their legendary performers into our programming. In addition, Modernism Week guests will have the opportunity to experience incredible one-of-a-kind live entertainment options. We are very proud to offer these compelling live performances.”

Live entertainment events include:

  • Modernism Week 20th Anniversary Opening Night Extravaganza (2/13, $350) Modernism Week celebrates its 20th anniversary with a REALLY BIG SHOW and an unforgettable night at the Palm Springs Air Museum. This iconic venue will be transformed into a playground of vintage tropical nightclub glamour, setting the stage for an opening night extravaganza that promises to be its most spectacular event in two decades. Guest will be dazzled by a show unlike any other, where the spirit of midcentury Palm Springs nightclubs meets the grandeur of a Vegas spectacle. The evening’s entertainment lineup is truly one-of-a-kind: witness the legendary Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, and Elvis Presley brought back to life in entertaining tribute performances by surprise entertainers. From Sinatra’s smooth crooning to The Beatles’ infectious energy and Elvis’s rock-and-roll swagger, this show will transport guests to the greatest show that could only happen at Modernism Week. Expertly crafted cocktails and gourmet cuisine stations by Lulu will be provided, As the night goes on, the dance floor will be alive with the timeless tunes of DJ Modgirl, making this a night of nostalgia, extravagance, and unforgettable fun.
  • Exclusive Sunset Reception at the Legendary O’Donnell Golf Club Featuring The Dreamboats (2/17, $150) This unforgettable event is more than a party—it is an evening of timeless charm that blends music, history and culinary excellence into a memorable celebration of Palm Springs’ golden age. Guests will experience the magic of Historic O’Donnell Golf Club at sunset as they rock out to The Dreamboats, whose energetic retro tunes and nostalgic rhythms from the 1950s and 60s will transport guests back to the golden era in Palm Springs. For libations, guests will enjoy a selection of exquisite hors d’oeuvres, perfectly paired wines, and a signature cocktail crafted exclusively for this event by renowned Executive Chef Gabriel Woo. The iconic golf course and its historic grounds will be available for self-guided tours. Guests will learn about O’Donnell’s fascinating life and the rich history of his estate and may meet historical author Steven Keylon to receive a personally signed copy of Tom O’Donnell: Generous Spirit of Palm Springs.
  • Shelton Sings Sinatra: A Very Romantic Affair (2/16, $65 rear orchestra and $85 front orchestra) Acclaimed as the leading dramatic interpreter of Frank Sinatra, Richard Shelton honors Sinatra’s timeless legacy with an unforgettable performance, showcasing the legendary singer’s most romantic classics. Accompanied on stage with a nine-piece orchestra and grand piano, Shelton manifests not only Sinatra’s sliding rhythms and nuanced phrasing, but also the timbre of his famous voice. 
  • Palm Springs International Jazz Festival

Reprising the successful partnership of Modernism Week and PS JazzFest last year, the two organizations have partnered again to offer several significant musical performances on the stage of the Annenberg Theater.

PS Underground will offer three different dining and entertainment shows during Modernism Week:

  • Sunny Side of the Street (2/14 – 2/16, 2/21- 2/22, $195) This one-of-a-kind     evening features live entertainment, fantastic food, and free-flowing cocktails. PS Underground will honor the legacy of two brilliant performers: Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. Live performers will interpret many memorable tunes that have shaped the genre of jazz and elevated the music of a generation to new heights. Just as the entertainers put their own spin on classic tunes, Chef Dave will bring his signature style into the spotlight with a tantalizing, secret four-course menu that adds a new twist to classic dishes. Free-flowing specialty cocktails, beer, and wine are included throughout the evening.
  • Ponytails, Chiffon, and Shangri-La (2/18 – 2/20, $175) Palm Springs-based cabaret singer Francesca Amari will celebrate the era of doo-wop and soulful melodies and explore the fascinating stories and hit songs from the best of the 1950s and 1960s female singers. PS Underground’s chef will carefully craft a nostalgic three-course menu complete with elegant updates on 1950s and 60s dishes. Themed signature cocktails, beer, and wine will be free flowing are included in the ticket price.
  • Pajama Game (2/23, $120) At this fun Sunday Brunch experience of music and ambiance, guests are invited to relax in their pajamas and revel in the musical magic of the movies. PS UNDERGROUND will go retro and take guests back in time with fantastic songs from movie musicals of the 1950s and 60s. With inspiration from films like Singing In The Rain, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, A Star Is Born, The King And I, Jailhouse Rock, and, of course, The Pajama Game, this musical brunch will be a lyrical feast for the senses. The Chef will flip the script on classic 1950s brunch dishes with a playful, contemporary twist and his secret three-course menu will honor the whimsy and energy of these classic musicals. 1950s-themed cocktails, mimosas and bubbly are all free-flowing and included in the ticket price.

Tickets for all Modernism Week events are available at www.modernismweek.com.

All Modernism Week events are open to the public and tickets are available at modernismweek.com. Highlights include architectural tours, talks, and parties in significant buildings rarely open to the public. To receive updates, visit modernismweek.com and follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.