Palm Springs is a Southern California destination. While many tourists flock to it for its famed music festivals, pristine golf courses, and lavish spa retreats, others head to Palm Springs to admire its unique architecture. Palm Springs has the largest concentration of mid-century modern architecture in the world. The desert and mountainous backdrop only add to the unique look of the homes, as the sleek homes combined with the dramatic location have led to the houses being described as pieces of Desert Modernism.
Palm Springs architecture’s unique look and history is celebrated every year during Modernism Week, a large event that intends to foster an appreciation for the mid-century architecture and design of the city. Modernism Week is a massive week that features over 350 different events, all planning to celebrate the design, fashion, and art of Palm Springs. The event also has a charitable slant, providing scholarships to local students pursuing architecture in college and supporting local preservation organizations to help keep Palm Springs historic and beautiful homes in place.
Modernism Week 2022 officially kicks off on February 17th and will have events running until the 27th. While tickets can be purchased online, there is no one uniform price for tickets to Modernism Week. It is a massive collection of events organized under the umbrella of one major week, but prices for each event vary. It is a week jam-packed with different great activities that encompass a wide range of things, from parties to home tours. The event’s overall goal is for those that come to leave with a renewed appreciation for the city’s stunning design.
Starting from February 17th, you’ll find a large number of great tours and activities. There are walking tours that showcase the homes of famed celebrities and icons of the past, like the Rat Pack and Golden Age Hollywood icons, and tours that highlight the incredible architects that created the homes. There are also parties every night, with cocktails, dancing, and more. You’ll even find Mixology Clinics and live performances.
There are some exclusive cocktail party opportunities that Modernism Week provides. One night, guests get to attend a festive cocktail party at Frank Sinatra’s old Palm Spring home, another at the iconic Edith Farnsworth House, and even a pool party at the house of musician Brian Ray, where he is set to appear in person.
There are bus tours, bike rides, and museums for those who don’t want a walking tour. Whether you’re looking to spend a day alone or bring the family, various events can meet your needs. There is a lively, social atmosphere, and many of the different events are family-friendly occasions. There are slideshows, movies, and more: There truly is something for everyone during Modernism Week.
One of the most significant parts of Modernism Week is the Show and Sale event. It takes place from February 18th-21st. While admiring the incredible architecture and design principles of Palm Spring is one thing, Show and Sale allows you to get your hands on some of the design elements of the mid-century modern homes that this whole week is centered around.
Show and Sale will have 90 premier national and international dealers offering a massive array of different products directly influenced by the design movements of the 20th century. Attendees can purchase art, lighting, and furniture based on the modernist aesthetic of the era. It is an excellent opportunity for those inspired by the week’s events to acquire some of the incredible works of art that make up this movement. The event will occur at the Palm Springs Convention Center, with tickets costing $30.
Modernism Week is set to be a major event that brings numerous architecture aficionados and lovers of lively occasions to the streets of Palm Springs. The homes of this Southern California city are remarkable and worthy of recognition, and Modernism Week is all about giving them the spotlight they deserve. The mid-century modern look of Palm Springs is a driving aspect of its appeal, and, on Modernism Week, attendees get the chance to appreciate these stunning homes for the works of art they are.
