VillageFest
VillageFest
4.5
About
The place to meet new friends is at this old-fashioned street fair with sidewalk performers, musicians, farmer's market, gifts and lots of food.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.5
1,816 reviews
Excellent
867
Very good
642
Average
250
Poor
40
Terrible
17
Owen L
10 contributions
Feb 2020
Held Thursday evenings each week (during winter that we know of) and a good .
Located in downtown Palm Springs on the street. The city parkade is available free of charge on these evenings and parking can be tricky due to the numbers attending.
Go early, by 6:00pm if you can.
Street vendors, food kiosks, and great people watching! Dog friendly and many do take "Fido" just for the exercise.
Located in downtown Palm Springs on the street. The city parkade is available free of charge on these evenings and parking can be tricky due to the numbers attending.
Go early, by 6:00pm if you can.
Street vendors, food kiosks, and great people watching! Dog friendly and many do take "Fido" just for the exercise.
Written 6 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JacarandaSpirit
Hemet, CA202 contributions
Mar 2020
VillageFest is a wonderful, large street fair in downtown Palm Springs. Every Thursday night (year round) Palm Canyon Drive is closed to traffic so that vendors can set up and display their hand made art works, candles, photography, food, etc.. All vendors have to be certified, verifying that what they sell is 75% handmade; making this a street fair unlike any other. The stores and restaurants lining the street stay open and it's a festive atmosphere. The fair runs for many blocks, so there is a lot to enjoy. During the summer, the number of vendors and attendees goes down due to the heat (it can still be in the 90's at 10pm). The fair is at its largest during the fall/winter/spring months when 'snow birds' come to spend the winter in a warmer climate.
As of this writing, Village Fest is closed due to the Covid 19 pandemic - hopefully, it will be able to reopen soon.
As of this writing, Village Fest is closed due to the Covid 19 pandemic - hopefully, it will be able to reopen soon.
Written 8 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RunawayBoomer
Prescott, AZ221 contributions
Jan 2020
I rated this a 4 instead of 5, mostly because it was very crowded, and I am not fond of crowds. But here are a few tips that could help...
The fair starts at 6pm, so we made a dinner reservation nearby for 5pm. We parked in the free city parking structure a block away. It was already getting parked up, so we are glad we arrived just before 5pm. After dinner at Sammy G's Tuscan Grill, we stepped right out into the street fair.
As I mentioned, crowds make me a little nervous. Be aware of how you hold your purse or stow your wallet. There are many distractions and people bumping into you all the time.
Lots of fun goods, from art to jewelry to food and beyond. I bought a pair of earrings that were unique and very reasonably priced. Unlikely that we would attend this event again, but I'm glad we went once.
The fair starts at 6pm, so we made a dinner reservation nearby for 5pm. We parked in the free city parking structure a block away. It was already getting parked up, so we are glad we arrived just before 5pm. After dinner at Sammy G's Tuscan Grill, we stepped right out into the street fair.
As I mentioned, crowds make me a little nervous. Be aware of how you hold your purse or stow your wallet. There are many distractions and people bumping into you all the time.
Lots of fun goods, from art to jewelry to food and beyond. I bought a pair of earrings that were unique and very reasonably priced. Unlikely that we would attend this event again, but I'm glad we went once.
Written 25 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FrequentTraveller034
Marina del Rey, CA592 contributions
July 2021
The VillageFest had started again a week before our arrival. It was god awful hot walking in the street and I felt sorry for the vendors. It was somewhat disappointing, maybe because it was summer and not all lenders came. I expected some farmers market items, but there were none and very few craft items available.
We did buy some dates and licorice from one of the vendors, and at very reasonable prices.
We did buy some dates and licorice from one of the vendors, and at very reasonable prices.
Written 11 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
paularetired
Marlborough, MA9 contributions
Feb 2020
I visited Palm Springs in late Feb. The VillageFest was crowded with people and dogs. The venders had very high priced merchandise. There were very few food venders and only one performer who was mobbed by people. Overall it was a poor example of what a street festival can be.
Written 7 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cgraff1953
Sacramento, CA30 contributions
Mar 2020 • Friends
Great food, great merchandise, awesome crowd. Loved the energy. Plenty of eating establishments and bars open along the fest. I was at the Villagefest on March 5, 2020. The weather was perfect. I bought a few items from various vendors. "Some of Me Cards" are awesome & the vendor that sells only tamales are delicious. If you go to Palm Springs you have to attend their VILLAGEFEST!
Written 22 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ShelleyB17
Los Angeles, CA31 contributions
Apr 2022
Our group was looking forward to the Thursday night tradition of the VillageFest, having been to it a number of years before.
This time, however, was decidedly not fun. The walkable streets were extremely crowded and no one, not one person out of hundreds were wearing a mask. I understand it was outdoors, but when you are walking down the streets packed in with a zillion maskless people, it's a bit disconcerting.
The booths were funky things, t-shirts and candles. The food was meat (we eat plant-based) or baked goods.
The restaurants were so crowded, it was almost impossible to get a table until we found a side street with a restaurant with outdoor tables.
While we ate sub-par food, a female street singer screeched her way through classic songs while an enthusiastic crowd applauded her awful renditions.
Not fun, won't go again.
This time, however, was decidedly not fun. The walkable streets were extremely crowded and no one, not one person out of hundreds were wearing a mask. I understand it was outdoors, but when you are walking down the streets packed in with a zillion maskless people, it's a bit disconcerting.
The booths were funky things, t-shirts and candles. The food was meat (we eat plant-based) or baked goods.
The restaurants were so crowded, it was almost impossible to get a table until we found a side street with a restaurant with outdoor tables.
While we ate sub-par food, a female street singer screeched her way through classic songs while an enthusiastic crowd applauded her awful renditions.
Not fun, won't go again.
Written 23 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Workin' for vacation
White Salmon, WA35 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
Went to Palm Springs (our first trip) to get some sunshine and escape the winter blues! The villagefest was an entertaining, not to mention inexpensive way to spend an evening. There was a guy playing an electric chello (google lord of the chello). He was amazing and fun to watch. There are tons of vendors. We did not see them all. Lots of art pieces. Our 5 year old grandson took a pony ride through downtown!! You must get Brandini toffee!! Its the best!! Bathrooms were a little hard to find.
Hint: Starbucks was a good option
Hint: Dont get a key from Ben and Jerrys to use the restroom around the corner. My husband said its was pretty sketchy walking in there. Not to mention disgusting and unsanitary.
Hint: Starbucks was a good option
Hint: Dont get a key from Ben and Jerrys to use the restroom around the corner. My husband said its was pretty sketchy walking in there. Not to mention disgusting and unsanitary.
Written 15 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michelle O
Prescott Valley, AZ233 contributions
Feb 2022
Companion & I arrived early & enjoyed walking around this street fair as the artisans & vendors set up. As more & more people showed up, local live music led to a fun, upbeat vibe. We saw lots of imaginative art & even purchased some.
This is a great way to spend Thursday nights.
This is a great way to spend Thursday nights.
Written 26 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
letsgo33
Phoenix, AZ4 contributions
Feb 2022
6pm-10pm on Thursdays. Palm Canyon Drive is lined with tents selling snacks and crafts, and the street is closed to motor vehicle traffic. Live music of various genres is scattered throughout. There is free parking on side streets or in a garage on the street to the west.
Written 26 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yes, there are all kinds of food & drinks, plus the nearby restaurants stay open.
Written 16 February 2023
Curious745494
San Diego, California
What are some of the best attractions to see in Palm Desert?
Written 20 February 2022
Is this open all year round? We are planning on going feb 2022.
Written 28 November 2021
Of course! It is one of the biggest shopping days!
Written 18 November 2019
Hola me gustaría saber si la feria funcionara el jueves 4 de julio
Written 18 June 2019
Where is the best spot for parking?
Written 18 April 2019
Parking is easy in Palm Springs. There is plenty of free parking on the Street and there are free parking lots in front of the Museum of Art and other places. Parking has never been a problem. But - if you get there in the afternoon, make sure NOT TO PARK on the streets where the FAIR takes place. YOUR CAR WILL BE TOWED! There are signs on the street that say NO PARKING - Street Fair- with the hours.
Written 21 April 2019
There are lots of people with dogs on leases. As a non-dog guy, I'd recommend keeping him/her on a short leash. I can't believe how many people bring dogs and then trip up others or create people-traffic jams. I'm sure your doggie will have fun, though!
Written 28 March 2019
Yes, they had a fresh bank of Porta potty‘s with the handwashing station
Written 28 March 2019
The street fair in Palm Springs, CA happens every Thursday evening and there is a stacked parking garage. You should have no problem finding parking. It is a fun event.
Written 2 February 2019
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