Barry Manilow’s Charity Concert Is Back — And Rumors About This Year’s Show Are Wild

Introduction

Happy December! As 2025 winds down, it’s the perfect moment to pull on a cozy sweater and head out to enjoy a show. Wishing everyone a safe and festive holiday season.

Acrisure Arena: Music Legends, Kid Favorites, and More

Beyond the Coachella Valley Firebirds hockey action, Acrisure Arena is welcoming a lineup that spans generations.

• The hip-hop showcase How the West Was Won—featuring Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, E-40, Kurupt of Tha Dogg Pound, Warren G, Suga Free, Lighter Shade of Brown, and Glasses Malone—has been rescheduled from Friday, Dec. 5, to Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. Tickets begin at $38.55.

• On Saturday, Dec. 6, at 1 p.m., Gabby’s Dollhouse Live! leaps off the screen and onto the stage for young fans. Tickets start at $43.10.

• Then on Tuesday, Dec. 30, at 7:30 p.m., Duran Duran returns to their new-wave roots with a night of ’80s classics. Tickets begin at $99.75.
  Acrisure Arena, Palm Desert; 888-695-8778; acrisurearena.com.

The Plaza Theatre Reopens With a Full December Lineup

The Plaza Theatre is officially back—and launching with an impressive schedule.

• The Grand Opening Gala on Monday, Dec. 1, at 7:30 p.m. features Cynthia Erivo, lending her powerhouse voice to the celebration. Remaining seats start at $1,000.

• On Monday, Dec. 8, at 7:30 p.m., the inaugural Palm Springs Icons event honors eight influential local figures, including Lucie Arnaz, Michael Childers, Paul Feig, Trixie Mattel, Brian Ray, and the late Frank Sinatra. Tickets begin at $81.55.

• The Palm Springs Symphony presents its Christmas program on Sunday, Dec. 7. Tickets start at $75.70.

• Resident ensemble Modern Men performs holiday arrangements on Dec. 13 (7 p.m.) and Dec. 14 (3 p.m.), with tickets from $64.05.

• The Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus fills the theater with 100 voices Dec. 19–21, with seats starting at $64.05.
  Plaza Theatre, Palm Springs; palmspringsplazatheatre.com.

Fantasy Springs: Country, Corridos, and a Beatles Christmas

December brings a mix of genres to Fantasy Springs:

• Midland plays Saturday, Dec. 6, at 8 p.m. (from $72.50).

• Los Dos Carnales ignite the stage with norteño and corrido styles on Dec. 13 (from $92.50).

• RAIN, the acclaimed Beatles tribute, performs a holiday edition on Dec. 20 (from $52.50).
  Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio; fantasyspringsresort.com.

McCallum Theatre: Dance, Musicals, Brass, and Barry Manilow

The McCallum offers a packed holiday calendar:

• MOMIX presents Alice on Friday, Dec. 5 (from $47).

• Mariachi Herencia de México brings a mariachi Christmas on Dec. 6 (from $43).

• Canadian Brass performs Sunday, Dec. 7 (from $57).

• The Broadway hit Moulin Rouge! runs Dec. 9–14 (from $97.99).

• Barry Manilow’s A Gift of Love VII, benefiting 25 local charities, returns Dec. 16–21 across multiple performances (from $177.58).

• A Beautiful Noise, the Neil Diamond musical, plays Dec. 23–28 (from $72.99).
  McCallum Theatre, Palm Desert; mccallumtheatre.com.

Morongo Casino: Rock, Regional Mexican, and Soul

Morongo brings major acts this month:

• Rob Thomas performs Wednesday, Dec. 3 (from $42.75).

• Los Parras take the stage Dec. 5 (resale prices from $298.13).

• Soul-funk legends War perform Dec. 6 (resale from $171.72).
  Morongo Casino Resort Spa, Cabazon; morongocasinoresort.com.

Spotlight 29: Comedy and Holiday Jukebox Style

Spotlight 29 mixes stand-up and music:

• René Vaca, Dec. 5 (from $38.80).

• Matt Friend, Dec. 6 (from $28.50).

• Postmodern Jukebox Holiday Tour, Dec. 13 (from $33.65).

• Honest Goodness Comedy Fridays continue weekly (from $17.32).
  Spotlight 29 Casino, Coachella; spotlight29.com.

Agua Caliente Rancho Mirage: From Texas Tenors to New Year’s Eve

Highlights include:

• The Texas Tenors with the Desert Symphony, Dec. 10 (from $69.42).

• ’90s Hits and Xmas Riffs with Mark McGrath, Kevin Griffin, and Emerson Hart, Dec. 18 (from $69.87).

• An Evening With the Rat Pack, Dec. 27 (from $33.80).

• New Year’s Eve with KC and the Sunshine Band and Sister Sledge, Dec. 31 (from $85.35).
  Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage; aguacalientecasinos.com.

Agua Caliente Palm Springs: Residencies to Close Out the Year

Weekly showcases include:

• Desert Blues Revival Wednesdays with Sayed Sabrina, holiday girl-group classics, and Jews Do the Blues (tickets $17.85–$28.52).

• Carousel Thursdays with Christmas soul, Charlie Brown-style jazz, and Hanukkah tunes (from $19.98).

• A 1970-themed musical time-capsule show on Friday, Dec. 5 (from $22.11).
  Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs; aguacalientecasinos.com.

Pappy & Harriet’s: Punk Karaoke, Local Legends, and Psychedelic Evenings

December brings lively nights in Pioneertown:

• Punk Rock Karaoke, Dec. 10 (tickets $31.86).

• Chris Goss and Jumpers, Dec. 11 (from $42.74).

• Brainstory and É Arenas, Dec. 13 (from $31.86).

• Local showcase with Karma Dealers, The LEDNECKS, and The Sibleys, Dec. 17 (tickets $13.73).
  Pappy & Harriet’s, Pioneertown; pappyandharriets.com.

Mojave Gold: Goth Balls, Masquerades, and Surf Guitar Nights

Notable shows include:

• The Naughty List Fetish Ball, Dec. 5 (18+, $12.15).

• Homestead Sessions Finale, Dec. 10 (free).

• Yuletide Masquerade Ball, Dec. 12 (free).

• Surf night with Jimmy Dale, Dec. 14 (from $17.41).
  Mojave Gold, Yucca Valley; mojavegolddesert.com.

The Purple Room: Holiday Cabaret and Broadway Voices

Finishing the year with flair:

• Broadway Barbara, Dec. 5–6 (from $50.85).

• Andrea McArdle, Dec. 12–13 (from $56).
  Dinner seating included with ticket purchase.
  Michael Holmes’ Purple Room, Palm Springs; purpleroompalmsprings.com.