These Are the Must-Attend Events of Modernism Week in Palm Springs

You’ll want to be in the desert October 21-23.

Modernism Week is a Southern California staple that takes over Palm Springs ever year to highlight the region’s incredibly unique (not to mention world-famous) architectural style.

The mission is to “celebrate and foster appreciation of midcentury architecture and design, as well as contemporary thinking in these fields, by encouraging education, preservation and sustainable modern living as represented in the greater Palm Springs area.”

As it turns out, Modernism Week is also a really good reason to get out of L.A., see some beautiful homes, and even do some networking.

These are our recommendations for the must-attend events at this year’s installation of Modernism Week:

Best of “Modernism With a Twist” Cocktail Party and Program

October 21, 2016 | 5:00 pm — 6:30 pm | $40 | Buy Tickets

Maybe it’s the fact that it’s a cocktail party, or maybe it’s the fact that it’s an incredibly educational forum, but Modernism With a Twist has become one of the most popular events during the week. Over the course of the soiree, informative (but amusing) 10-minute talks will be presented by leading Modernist luminaries on a wide range of thought-provoking topics.

Frank Sinatra’s Neighborhood — The Movie Colony Historical Walking Tour (Exteriors Only)

Various Days | Various Times | $35 | Buy Tickets

Palm Springs’ famed Movie Colony neighborhood played host to some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, such as Cary Grant, Dinah Shore, Van Johnson, Tony Curtis, Gloria Swanson and Jack Benny. It’s Frank Sinatra, however, who really put it on the map in the 1950s when he turned abode “Twin Palms” into a veritable party scene. Now you can see for yourself!

Rat Pack Playground — Modernist Homes of Vista Las Palmas Historical Walking Tour (Exteriors Only)

Various Days | Various Times | $35 | Buy Tickets

Presented by Palm Springs Historical Society, tour Vista Las Palmas (AKA “The Beverly Hills of Palm Springs”), former home to many Hollywood luminaries like Debbie Reynolds, Elvis Presley, Kim Novak, Barry Manilow, “Rat Packers” Dean Martin and Peter Lawford.

According to event organizers, “Some of the desert’s most famous Modernist architectural treasures are also located here, including the Richard Neutra masterpiece, the Kaufmann Desert House.”

Pads, Pools & Patios: Home Interiors and Neighborhoods Tour

Various Days | Various Times | $65 | Buy Tickets

This self-guided tour takes you all over Palm Springs, showcasing time-capsules of when “pads were cool, pools were cooler and patios were the center of our social universe.” Produced by ONE-PS, this one-of-a-kind tour highlights many of the homes and neighborhoods that make PS life so unique.

Charles Phoenix: Super Duper Double Decker Bus Tour of “Palm Springsland”

Many Days | Many Times | $99 | Buy Tickets

If the name and headline image for this bus tour aren’t enough to make you want to sign up, just know you’re in good hands with the one and only Ambassador of Americana, Charles Phoenix.

“With his unbridled enthusiasm, delightful design expertise, and keen eye for oddball detail,” event organizers say, “Charles’ spirited tour highlights exterior views of dozens of spectacular Midcentury Modern estates and homes, commercial and civic buildings, retro neighborhoods and other treasures that have made Palm Springs world famous.”