The exciting art fest is back with massive installations across the Coachella Valley, inspired by the vastness of time in the desert
California ’s greaterPalm Springsis at its best during the natural spring time of year , as cheery weather , bloomingwildflowers , and a heavy hitting batting order of world - famouseventscome to the desert . This year also bring the return ofDesert X , a impermanent art exhibition and festival featuring large installations in outdoor locations throughout the Coachella Valley .
Now in its fifth class , the biennial case returns with 11 raw installations from artists around the world . Each facility explore the enormousness of time in the desert through a dissimilar lens , ranging from universal themes ( the desert ’s power to endure for millennia ) to late history ( the displacement reaction of Black residents from discussion section 14 in Palm Springs ) . The installations are propagate across the region , place in town and hidden deeply in the desert landscape painting , which makes this an adventurous art festival at grand scale .
Desert X 2025 spread on March 8 and you ’ll have until May 11 to explore this year ’s installment , so let ’s get to it .
Photo by Lance Gerber, courtesy of Desert X
Where are the installations for Desert X 2025?
To notice the installations , you ’ll need the official app or a print guidebook , which will also give you details about each part . Guidebooks are available at theThompson Palm Springshotel in Palm Springs , which is serve as the Desert X hub for visitors this year ( you ’ll also find this yr ’s official Desert X merch at Windmill City Super # 1 across the street ) .
This year ’s locations are in Palm Springs , Desert Hot Springs , Rancho Mirage , and Palm Desert . To make it easy , intend of the fix in three group : the installation in Palm Springs proper , the sites northward of the I-10 freeway in Desert Hot Springs , and the “ mid - valley ” locating in Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert . Each of these three groupings contains three to four installations , making this a manageable attack to seeing all that Desert X has to offer this class .
In Palm Springs , you ’ll findAdobe Oasisby Ronald Rael , Unsuiby Sanford Biggers , andPlotting Restby Kapwani Kiwanga . Adobe Oasisis turn up a few blocks away from Ace Hotel & Swim Club , Unsuiis in North Palm Springs at the James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center , andPlotting Restis at the Palm Springs Visitors Center on Tramway Road .
Photo by Lance Gerber, courtesy of Desert X
The Desert Hot Springs installations includeThe Act of Being Togetherby Jose Davila , Soul Service Stationby Alison Saar , To Breatheby Kimsooja , andG.H.O.S.T. Rideby Cannupa Hanska Luger ( though this is a roaming exhibit , so double see the app).The Act of Being Togetheris near Highway 62 on Worsley Road , whileSoul table service StationandTo Breathecan be found along Pierson Boulevard .
Mid - vale , you ’ll findThe live on Pyramidby Agnes Denes , Five matter you ca n’t break on TVby Raphael Hefti , Sojourner Truth Arrives in Slanted Beamsby Sarah Meyohas , andWhat Remainsby Muhannad Shono .
There are also a handful of works on display from premature years , which can be found on the Desert X app .
Photo by Lance Gerber, courtesy of Desert X
How to get around
A auto is a must for Desert X , as these installations are situation - specific and sprinkled throughout the Coachella Valley . Visitors might be able to wheel their elbow room to installation in Palm Springs if staying nearby , but otherwise , plan on driving to see the website .
The longest drives will be between the grouping name above , such as driving from Desert Hot Springs over to the mid - valley installations . But in each area , you ’ll find the installations are about 10 - 15 minutes aside . This twelvemonth , you ’ll find security at each of the situation to facilitate you with parking , and some installations will also have voluntary to answer questions about the employment .
Keep in mind that the instalment are locatedin the desert , with some , like the roll G.H.O.S.T. Ride installation , requiring a becoming hike to accomplish . Others , likeThe Living Pyramidat Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage andTruth Arrives in Slanted Beamsin Palm Desert , are more approachable with paved walkways .
Photo by Lance Gerber, courtesy of Desert X
How should I plan my route?
This depends largely on how much time you have and where you ’re staying in the Coachella Valley . While it ’s potential to see all of Desert X 2025 in a individual day ( though it might be a long one ) , it ’s certainly deserving drop the nighttime and make your metre to visit the sites . Some are also near other popular attractions , such as thePalm Springs Aerial TramwayandSunnylands , so it ’s deserving spending a full weekend in the desert .
As a rule of thumb , plan to twin the Palm Springs and Desert Hot Springs locations . The mid - valley location are about 45 min from Palm Springs .
If you ’re staying in Palm Springs or nearby , start with a half - day to visit the Palm Springs and Desert Hot Springs installations . The next Clarence Day , trek out to Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage to see the rest of this year ’s lineup . If you ’re short on fourth dimension , the Palm Springs locations are easy to get to from business district and wo n’t require any hiking to see . And if you ’re channelise up to Joshua Tree , the Desert Hot Springs installations are an easy side seeking from Highway 62 on your drive up . Whether you end in Palm Springs or Palm Desert , you ’ll never be far from the I-10 superhighway when you ’re quick to head home .
Photo by Lance Gerber, courtesy of Desert X
Where to eat during Desert X
Since the artwork is settle throughout the Coachella Valley , you have copious options forwhere to eatduring Desert X. Start with tiffin atLola Rose , a buzzy new restaurant at the Thompson Palm Springs with fresh takes on Mediterranean classics , served up family trend .
While research the mid - valley installations , stop bythe Blushing Peonyin Indian Wells for farm - bracing small plates ; the fresh opened concept comes from the restauranter behind Chula , a local favorite . If you have n’t yet triedBar Cecilor the bar ’s Fifty Dollar Martini , this nightcap is just footmark aside fromAdobe Oasisin Palm Springs . And up in Desert Hot Springs , draw in off at Windmill Market for what many consider to be thebest date shiver in the Coachella Valley .
For those preparation to seeThe Living Pyramidat Sunnylands , head to the Great Lawn for a picturesque picnic . You ’ll have an unbelievable view of both the pyramid in flower and the San Jacinto mountains in the screen background . you could bring your own food , and there ’s also an on - site coffeehouse with freshly baked goodies from Aspen Mills . Bonus backsheesh : Sunnylands offers the only bathroom at any of the facility .
Photo courtesy of Thompson Palm Springs
Where to stay during Desert X
The stunner of Desert X is that you’re able to really abide anywhere across the Coachella Valley – or even in Joshua Tree , about an hour ’s drive out – and make your way along this ego - guided art circuit .
Thompson Palm Springs is the obvious choice , since it ’s serving as the Desert X hub . The 168 - room hotel offers a mix of standard room , desert - apropo bungalows , and enviable suite with mountain views . Later this leaping , Thompson Palm Springs will unveil Upper Stories , a separate , adults - only area with its own pool .
For more of a resort vibe , you have sizeable options : J.W. Marriott Desert Springs , Omni Rancho Las Palmas , andGrand Hyatt Indian Wellswill put you jolly tight to the mid - valley installment . If you ’re bet for more of a wellness weekend to pair with Desert X , Desert Hot Springs is filled with spa hotels likeTwo Bunch PalmsandAzure Palm Hot Springs Resort . Of naturally , you ’ll find no shortfall of AirBnBs andrentalsavailable throughout the desert , too . If you’re able to , plan to claver midweek for humbled rate during the desert ’s busiest time of year .
