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CV Weekly
July 6, 2026
7 min read
CV Weekly: ShortFest Wraps & Fourth of July Fireworks Light Up the Valley
β¨ Last Week Around the Valley
π Fourth of July Lights Up the Desert
The Coachella Valley celebrated America's 250th birthday in grand fashion, with fireworks, drone shows, and community gatherings stretching across the region from July 2β5.
- Palm Springs hosted a three-day All-American Fourth of July Celebration β kicking off with VillageFest on July 2, a "Dive-In Movie" screening of The Sandlot at the Palm Springs Swim Center on July 3, and culminating July 4 at Sunrise Park with a pool party, family activities, a free concert by Bob Seger tribute band "Turn the Page," and a fireworks spectacular at 9:15 p.m.
- Indio held its Third Annual Independence Day Bash at the Empire Polo Club, featuring live entertainment, food vendors, and a patriotic drone show β twice as many drones as previous years β lighting up the sky at 9:30 p.m.
- Palm Desert brought the Swing Cats Big Band to Civic Center Park for a free concert at 7:30 p.m., followed by a 20-minute fireworks display at 9:00 p.m.
- Rancho Mirage hosted its 12th Annual Fireworks Extravaganza at Agua Caliente Casino, featuring a Drive-In Experience and a synchronized Fireworks and Drone Show at 9:00 p.m.
- Desert Hot Springs rounded out the holiday weekend with a fireworks show at Mission Springs Park on July 5.
Source: CV Independent | Patch
π¬ Palm Springs International ShortFest 2026 Wraps
The Palm Springs International ShortFest concluded its celebrated run on June 29, 2026, after showcasing 328 short films from around the globe. Five films earned Academy Award-qualifying status. Among the top honors:
- Best of the Festival: Fruit (Singapore), directed by Jen Nee Lim
- Best Animated Short: FaΔuk (Croatia/Slovenia)
- Best Documentary Short: Water Cooler (USA)
- Best Live-Action Short (Over 15 min): Marga en el DF (Mexico/USA/Dominican Republic)
- Best Live-Action Short (15 min and under): We Were Here (India)
Source: The Palm Springs Post
π Arts & Culture
- The Coachella Valley Repertory (CVRep) continues its 2026 Summer Cabaret Series, with Broadway veteran Emily Skinner taking the stage on July 9.
- Local rock musician Jetta King performed as part of the Live and Local Bands series at the Agave Caliente Tequila Bar in Cathedral City on July 6.
- Desert duo FireBug performed at Lily's in Idyllwild-Pine Cove on July 4.
ποΈ Community & Infrastructure
- The Bagdouma Park Community Center in Coachella is undergoing a significant remodel in 2026, enhancing its capacity as a health and community hub for local residents.
- The "Connecting Coachella" initiative has secured a $2 million grant to expand bike lanes throughout the valley, improving regional connectivity.
- The Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory is celebrating its 30th anniversary throughout 2026 with special programming β check their calendar for upcoming events.
π Coming Up This Week
There's plenty happening across the Coachella Valley this week. Here are some highlights:
Recurring Weekly Events
Palm Springs VillageFest β Every Thursday, 6:00 PM β 10:00 PM
Palm Canyon Drive, Downtown Palm Springs
villagefest.org
Free Thursday Nights at Palm Springs Art Museum β Every Thursday, 5:00 PM β 7:00 PM
101 Museum Dr, Palm Springs
psmuseum.org
Indian Wells Certified Farmers Market β Every Thursday, 8:00 AM β 2:00 PM
44-175 Washington St, Indian Wells
cvcfm.org/indian-wells
Tastes & Sounds of Cathedral City β Every Tuesday, 5:00 PM
Cathedral City Community Amphitheater
discovercathedralcity.com
Rancho Mirage Certified Farmers Market β Every Friday, 8:00 AM β 1:00 PM
Rancho Mirage Community Park, 71-560 San Jacinto Dr
certifiedfarmersmarkets.org
Palm Springs Certified Farmers Market β Every Saturday, 8:00 AM β 12:30 PM
Palm Springs Pavilion, 401 S Pavilion Way
certifiedfarmersmarkets.org
Indio Night Market β Every Friday, 5:00 PM β 9:00 PM
Riverside County Fairgrounds, Indio
Indio Farmer's Market β Every Saturday, 9:00 AM
Corner of Towne Street and Bliss Avenue, Indio
gcvcc.org
La Quinta Certified Farmers Market β Every Sunday, 8:00 AM β 1:00 PM
78100 Main St, La Quinta
cvcfm.org/la-quinta
Palm Desert Certified Farmers Market β Every Sunday, 8:00 AM β 2:00 PM
72559 Highway 111, Palm Desert
cvcfm.org/palm-desert
Old Town La Quinta Art & Farmers Market β Every Sunday, 8:00 AM β 1:00 PM
78100 Main St, Old Town La Quinta
Poolside BBQ at Indian Wells Resort β ThuβSun, 11:00 AM β 5:00 PM
Indian Wells Resort Hotel
indianwellsresort.com
Happy Hour at IW Live β TueβSat, 4:00 PM β 6:00 PM
Indian Wells Resort Hotel
indianwellsresort.com
Karaoke Tuesdays at The Roost Lounge β Every Tuesday, 6:00 PM
The Roost Lounge, Cathedral City
theroostcc.com
Open Mic Mondays at The Roost Lounge β Every Monday, 6:00 PM
The Roost Lounge, Cathedral City
theroostcc.com
Superfuzz Saturday Nights β Every Saturday, 8:00 PM
CCBC Resort Hotel, 68300 Gay Resort Dr, Cathedral City
allevents.in
IΒ·CONΒ·IC SUNDAYS Drag Brunch β Every Sunday, 12:00 PM
One Eleven Bar, 67555 E Palm Canyon Dr, Cathedral City
eventbrite.com
Special & Ongoing Events
La Quinta Summer Golf Experience β Saturdays, 7:30 AM
Trilogy Golf Club at La Quinta, 60151 Trilogy Pkwy
lqgolftour.laquintaca.gov
Daytime Observatory Tour β Thu & Fri, 3:00 PM β 3:45 PM
Rancho Mirage Library & Observatory
ranchomiragelibrary.libcal.com
Coachella Valley Scorpions vs. LAXtreme β 5:30 PM
The Show at Agua Caliente Rancho Mirage, 32-250 Bob Hope Drive
aguacalientecasinos.com
Rusty Blades High Seas Pirate Adventure β 11:00 AM
La Quinta Public Library, 78275 Calle Tampico
allevents.in
Coachella Valley Healing Rooms β 1st & 3rd Saturdays, 9:30 AM β Noon
39001 Monterey Ave, Rancho Mirage
tinyurl.com/CVHealingRooms
π See the full events calendar at desertbiz.net/events
πͺ Newly Added to Our Directory
These local businesses recently added their listings to Desert Biz Connect. If you're looking for trusted local services, check them out!
Tax Fluential Solutions β Indio | Accounting & Tax Services
Tax Fluential Solutions recently added their listing to our directory. Looking for accounting and tax services in Indio? They're now listed on Desert Biz Connect.
taxfluential.com
Hammer 'N Nails β Palm Springs | Home Services
Hammer 'N Nails recently added their listing to our directory. Looking for home services in Palm Springs? Find them on Desert Biz Connect.
Millers Glass Tinting Solutions, Inc β Palm Springs | Construction & Contractors
Millers Glass Tinting Solutions recently added their listing to our directory. Looking for glass tinting and contractor services in Palm Springs? They're now listed on Desert Biz Connect.
Desert Elite Implant Institute β Palm Desert | Dental Services
Desert Elite Implant Institute recently added their listing to our directory. Looking for dental implant services in Palm Desert? Find them on Desert Biz Connect.
deserteliteimplantinstitute.com
Diamond Demolition β Palm Springs | Construction & Contractors
Diamond Demolition recently added their listing to our directory. Looking for demolition and contractor services in Palm Springs? They're now listed on Desert Biz Connect.
π Explore all local businesses at desertbiz.net/directory
π New to the Valley
Here are some genuinely new businesses and openings confirmed via local news and chamber sources this week:
Free People β Palm Desert (El Paseo)
The popular women's lifestyle brand opened a brand-new 2,513-square-foot boutique at 73-061 El Paseo on July 3, 2026 β its first location in the Coachella Valley. The store offers apparel, accessories, and personalized one-on-one styling services.
Source: PR Newswire | NBC Palm Springs
SOTToVOCE CafΓ© β Palm Desert (The Gardens on El Paseo)
The Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a Ribbon Cutting & Mingle for SOTToVOCE on July 8, 2026, celebrating the Italian coffee and wine bar's summer season at The Gardens on El Paseo, Suite 1320.
Source: Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce
Know of a new business opening in the Valley? Let us know at desertbiz.net/submit!
π€ Ways to Serve the Community
Looking to give back this summer? Here are some local organizations where your time can make a real difference:
FIND Food Bank β Coachella Valley
According to their website, FIND Food Bank is currently welcoming volunteers for warehouse sorting, community food distribution, and homebound delivery programs. Opportunities are available for individuals, families, and teens (ages 14+).
Contact: Juan Perez at [email protected] | 760-542-2176 ext. 132
findfoodbank.org/volunteer-opportunities
Desert Arc β Palm Desert
According to their website, Desert Arc actively incorporates volunteers into their programs serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the Coachella Valley. Volunteers have assisted with facility projects, garden spaces, and art programs for the more than 600 clients they serve.
Contact: 73-255 Country Club Drive, Palm Desert | desertarc.org
Martha's Village & Kitchen β Indio
Check with Martha's Village & Kitchen to see if they're currently accepting volunteers. This Indio-based nonprofit provides food, clothing, shelter, and self-sufficiency programs to those in need across the Coachella Valley.
Contact: 83791 Date Avenue, Indio | (760) 347-4741 | marthasvillage.org
Desert Best Friend's Closet β Palm Desert
If you're interested in getting involved, contact Desert Best Friend's Closet to explore current volunteer opportunities. This Palm Desert thrift boutique supports local community members in need.
Find them on Idealist
Every hour of service makes a difference in our desert community. π
π¬ Stay Connected with CV Weekly
CV Weekly is your community roundup for all things Coachella Valley β from local news and upcoming events to new businesses and ways to give back. We'd love to keep you in the loop every week!
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