Palm Springs Modernism Week: Come for the Architecture, Stay for the Cocktails

Palm Springs Modernism Week is the annual festival when the desert becomes a curated, lived-in museum of mid-century modern design and a place where the era’s most enduring ideas still feel current and fresh. From February 12–22, 2026, the eleven-day festival brings together architecture lovers, design collectors, and anyone who enjoys a good cocktail party with a view, offering tours of architecturally significant homes, landmarks, and historic buildings that are rarely open to the public, along with lectures, exhibitions, films, and after-hours gatherings that keep the conversation going long after sunset. In the end, Modernism Week isn’t really about nostalgia; it’s about continuity. These homes, tours, and conversations prove that mid-century modernism was never meant to be precious or frozen in time. It was an ethos meant to be lived in, argued with, and occasionally the setting for a very good party. For eleven days each February, Modernism Week proves it still knows how to do all three. We’ve curated the festival’s highlights, must-see shows, and can’t-miss house tours to help you make the most of this year’s celebration. Discover the full lineup of Modernism Week events and secure your tickets here.

Featured Events

Celebrities on the Green: A Celebration at the Historic O’Donnell Golf Club (2/16, $250 Standard Admission, $350 All Inclusive Tour Experience)

Celebrate the glamour of Palm Springs’ golden era at this unforgettable evening where lively music, classic style, exceptional food, handcrafted cocktails, and the timeless allure of vintage Palm Springs all come together at the historic O’Donnell Golf Club. This early-evening event features a spectacular array of beautifully restored midcentury automobiles and fun go-go dancers that will bring retro spirit to life. Guests will also enjoy a high-energy performance by The Dreamboats, charismatic performers who infuse timeless sounds of the 50s and 60s with a fresh, contemporary energy. The event includes a rare optional tour of the historic golf course on golf carts.

Keynote Presentation: Elizabeth Diller, Diller Scofidio + Renfro (2/14, $45, $65, $125) Modernism Week is honored to welcome architect Elizabeth Diller, a founding partner of Diller Scofidio + Renfro (DS+R), as the keynote presenter for 2026. Diller is also a Professor of Architecture at Princeton University. Alongside partner Ricardo Scofidio (1935-2025), Diller’s crossgenre work has been distinguished with TIME’s “100 Most Influential People” list and the first MacArthur Foundation fellowship awarded in the field of architecture. A book signing follows the presentation. Hollywood Meets the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre: A Multimedia Journey (2/20, $125) Experience an enchanting multimedia experience celebrating the historic Plaza Theater, Palm Springs History, and the Silver Screen, introduced by Lucie Arnaz. This extraordinary event reveals the remarkable story of how the two legendary locales of the Plaza Theatre Hollywood connected and the crucial role the Theatre played in the early evolution of Palm Springs, as well as its promising future.

An Incredible Evening at Parr House (2/18, $75)

Step into a world of midcentury modern elegance and Disney storytelling at Parr House, the stunning centerpiece of the Artisan Club at Cotino, a Storyliving by Disney community. Inspired by the iconic home from Disney and Pixar’s Incredibles 2, this two-story space blends sleek architecture with vibrant design details, creating a one-of-a-kind setting. The event includes a stylish reception featuring passed hors d’oeuvres, refreshments, and live music.

Two new Talk & Tour Activities from Atomic Ranch magazine:

Atomic Ranch Talk & Tour: A Hal Lacy Mod Paradise (2/23, $60)

Step into a 70s retro revival at this newly renovated never-before seen Hal Lacy stunner in the coveted Indian Canyons neighborhood. From the bold color to the stunning tile work and a striking rock wall fireplace, hear how ideas that were bookmarked for years came to life in this mod beauty. A panel discussion follows the tour.

Atomic Ranch Talk & Tour: The Making of The Marquee at Twin Palms (2/15, $65) Great design evolves over time. Atomic Ranch and H3K Home + Design will conduct a deep dive into the creation of Modernism Week’s Featured Home: The Marquee at Twin Palms. After a tour of the property, participants will hear from H3K’s Howard Hawkes and Kevin Kemper and the homeowner as they discuss how this home evolved from a fun getaway house to a truly elevated and sophisticated escape.

Other newly added events include:

Tickled Pink: Cocktails at Villa Sierra – ‘That Pink Door House’ (2/18, $75) Step inside one of Palm Springs’ most photographed addresses – Villa Sierra, better known as “That Pink Door House.” This is a unique opportunity to explore this midcentury modern showpiece while sipping a signature cocktail created for the occasion. Guests will enjoy light bites and explore the sleek interiors and stylish grounds that embody Palm Springs’ jet-set spirit. Adding a dash of history, the LGBTQ+ History & Archives of the Desert will share stories about the home and its place in the city’s cultural legacy.

Canyon Country Club: History and Design of Palm Springs’ Garden of Eden Book Signing (2/16, $50)

At this book signing event guests will have the opportunity to explore portions of the Berman-Rubin Residence (1964, Kenneth M. Burgess), the home that graces the cover of the book Canyon Country Club: History and Design of Palm Springs’ Garden of Eden. Each ticket to this event will include a copy of the book (a $50 retail value). The beautifully illustrated 312-page hardcover book was authored by Palm Springs Preservation Foundation board member Steve Treinen. It examines the architecture and development of South Palm Springs’ Indian Canyons neighborhood with featured inclusion of the North Clubhouse, celebrity connections, and photography of 50 neighborhood homes. Although portions of the home will be open during the book signing, this is not a home tour.

The Charles & Ray Eames Foundation: Preserving Legacy, Inspiring the Future (2/18, $20)

Charles and Ray Eames are among the most influential designers of the 20th century. The scale and clarity of their work remain unmatched as few designers have achieved such lasting cultural and commercial relevance across generations and around the world. In this talk Eames Demetrios (grandson of Charles and Ray Eames and Chairman of the Board of the Charles & Ray Eames Foundation) and Adrienne Luce Foundation Executive Director will celebrate the enduring power and influence of Ray and Charles Eames to link people, ideas, and generations.

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Bus Tours Throughout the Week

Premier Double Decker Architectural Bus Tour (2/12 – 2/22, $130)

One of the best ways to experience Modernism Week is on the popular Premier Double Decker Architectural Bus Tour. This signature tour provides guests with a 2.5-hour overview of significant civic and commercial buildings, as well as residential properties located within notable Palm Springs neighborhoods, including the midcentury “leisure lifestyle”

Charles Phoenix Modernism Week Bus Tours (2/13 – 2/22, $160)

No one narrates Palm Springs quite like Charles Phoenix. His signature double-decker bus tours combine architectural insight with pop-culture archaeology, equal parts lecture, comedy, and performance. Expect landmark homes, roadside oddities, and stories you won’t find in the guidebooks — all delivered with impeccable timing and a martini-dry sense of humor.

Illuminated Twilight Bus Tour (2/13 – 18, 2/20, and 2/21, $100)

This evening tour provides guests with a 90-minute illuminated view of some of the most significant midcentury architectural treasures of Palm Springs.

Sinatra’s Rat Pack Homes & Hangouts Bus Tour (2/12 – 2/21, $100)

This 90-minute tour features the desert-modern style homes of Rat Pack members and several of the hangouts that they frequented, many of which still exist. Also see residences of other celebrities of the era, including Dinah Shore, Elvis Presley, Liberace, Desi Arnaz, and Jack Benny.

The Homes That Define Palm Springs Bus Tour (2/12-2/19, $100)

This 90-minute tour showcases some of the most popular neighborhoods in Palm Springs, drawing attention to the spectacular home styles, including pre-war Spanish Colonial Revival and a range of midcentury modern residential architectural styles.

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Thursday, February 12 | Opening Day

Walk of the Stars Re-Dedication Honoring Nelda Linsk

Modernism Week opens not with a whisper, but with a well-earned standing ovation. This downtown ceremony honors Nelda Linsk, the interior designer whose taste helped define Palm Springs as a midcentury playground for artists, socialites, and movie stars. It’s civic pride with a knowing wink — the perfect overture.

Frey House II Tour + Museum Day Passes

Albert Frey’s mountainside retreat remains one of the most radical acts of restraint in American residential architecture. Touring Frey House II is a master class in how little is actually needed to live beautifully — steel, glass, rock, and the desert itself doing most of the work.

Featured Home Tour: Soleil House (2/12 – 2/18, 2/20 – 2/22, $65 and $125)

A midcentury home revived with confidence and color, Soleil House proves that preservation doesn’t mean freezing a house in amber. Expect classic lines, bold choices, and views that feel like a Cinemascope establishing shot. The Soleil House is a once-neglected 1963 home now fully reimagined by designer Trina Turk. This stunning renovation preserves the home’s original footprint and seamlessly blends midcentury simplicity and charm with modern technology and contemporary comfort to capture the essence of Palm Springs living. The thoughtfully updated and inspired design utilizes bold colors and effortlessly showcases a pleasing indoor-outdoor flow that showcases seldom-seen views of Palm Canyon and the Santa Rosa Mountains. A sunset reception ($125) is offered each day of the tour.

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Friday, February 13

Featured Home Tour: The Marquee at Twin Palms (2/13 – 2/16, 2/20 – 2/22, $40)

If Modernism Week had a leading lady, this would be her. The Marquee at Twin Palms balances Hollywood glamour with architectural discipline, its restoration more couture than costume. The Marquee at Twin Palms is a luminous showcase of midcentury modern design in one of Palm Springs’ most celebrated neighborhoods. Built in 1957 and recently reimagined by H3K Home + Design, this architectural gem creates a seamless dialogue between past and present through sleek lines and warm textures. A dramatic decorative breeze block entry leads to interior spaces that showcase the era’s signature post and beam style, where soaring ceilings and walls of glass invite sunlight, mountain views, and effortless flow. Its stunning outdoor space features a sparkling pool, relaxing spa, and a chic cabana. This thoughtfully updated yet unmistakably midcentury residence adds a vibrant new chapter in the story of Palm Springs modernism.

The Lautner Compound Tour (2/13 – 2/15. 2/20 and 2/21, $60)

Once a year, the doors swing open to “The Lautner,” famed architect John Lautner’s 1947 residential fourplex—a midcentury masterpiece. This tour offers rare access to a compound that feels more like a manifesto than a residence, where concrete curves and dramatic geometry push back against the desert rather than blend in politely.

Lautner Compound Twilight Tour & Reception

At dusk, Lautner’s work makes even more sense. With cocktails in hand and the light fading fast, this evening experience reveals how shadow, drama, and theatricality were always part of his architectural vocabulary.

Atomic Ranch Talk & Tour: A Hal Lacy Mod Paradise

Hal Lacy’s work has aged particularly well — livable, optimistic, and effortlessly cool. This guided tour pairs architectural insight with restoration storytelling, the kind of behind-the-scenes detail Modernism Week does best.

Small Towns + Great Architecture: Modernism’s Untold Stories (2/13, $25)

Discover the surprising architectural riches of 3 unlikely small American towns: Palm Springs, California; Sarasota, Florida; Columbus, Indiana. Each is a world-renowned showcase of innovative design.

World Film Premiere: “Curating Modernism” (2/13, $15)

Filmmaker Jake Gorst premieres his new short documentary Curating Modernism, exploring the challenges of preserving 20th century Modern architecture in the United States.

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Saturday, February 14

Palm Springs Modernism Show (Opening Weekend)

The beating commercial heart of the festival, the Modernism Show is where collectors, decorators, and the merely curious converge. Think museum-quality furniture, lighting that still feels futuristic, and more than a few “if only” moments.

Puttin’ on the Ritz: A Roaring 20s Prohibition Celebration (2/14, $350)

Psst… got a password? Good. You’re in! Puttin’ on the Ritz is going underground, or at least behind the gates of the magnificently renovated swanky 1923 estate of King Camp Gillette, the genius who turned the safety razor into a revolution – for one scandalously glamorous night. We’re talking flappers flashing fringe, gents in suits sharp enough to slice a tomato and more bubbly than a bootlegger’s bathtub. A hot jazz DJ will keep the joint jumpin’, a slick-fingered illusionist will make you question your eyesight and a gypsy tarot queen will spill the beans on your fate. Sip on Moonshine cocktails and Bee’ s Knee’s delights while feasting like the upper crust on a delectable vintage buffet –  flaky pastries stuffed with Chicken a la King, crunchy Waldorf salad and plenty more tasty treats.  And don’t skip the Chartreuse jelly shots – they’ll make you giggle like you just dodged a raid! Dress in 1920s style with lots of sparkle, keep your hat tipped low, and remember, what happens in the speakeasy, well you know the rest… Now grab your coat, slick back your hair and meet us where the fizz flows ‘til the cops come a knockin’.

Neighborhood Home Tours (Various Locations)

From Vista Las Palmas to Racquet Club Estates, Saturday opens the floodgates. These neighborhood tours are less about singular icons and more about atmosphere — how modernism scaled itself for real life, block by block.

World Premiere Film: “GOOGIE” (2/14, $30, $125 VIP and rescreened 2/22, $15)

This is a World Premiere screening of a definitive feature-length documentary about a pivotal chapter of Modern architecture, created by Design Onscreen and directed by award-winning filmmaker Jake Gorst.

Charles Phoenix: Grand Tour of Europe in the ‘50s & ‘60s – A Midcentury Dream Vacation Slide Show Travelogue (2/14, $45, $60, and $75)

With his unbridled enthusiasm, keen expertise, and eagle-eye for oddball detail, Retro Pop Culture expert Charles Phoenix lavishes spirited commentary on colorful, vintage Kodachrome slides taken by tourists visiting Europe in the 50s and 60s.

Sunday, February 15

Signature Home Tour (Morning & Afternoon) (both: 2/15 and 2/22, $150) 

This is the pilgrimage. A carefully curated selection of significant homes, open for self-guided exploration, offering a rare chance to move freely through Palm Springs’ architectural greatest hits. The Signature Home Tour has long been one of the premier Modernism Week interior home tour experiences, and this year is no exception. Each Sunday will showcase a different selection of homes in Palm Springs, curated to show the best of Desert Modernism. The self-driven home tour through various neighborhoods in Palm Springs featuring several iconic architectural homes by some of the areas most noted architects.

Sunrise Park Neighborhood Home Tour

Alexander-built homes, clean lines, and a sense of optimism baked into the floor plans. Sunrise Park remains one of the clearest expressions of postwar desert modernism done right.

The Last of the Alexanders: Tahquitz Creek Golf

A quietly poignant tour of later Alexander homes, reflecting a moment when the midcentury boom was slowing — but the ideas were still strong.

World Premiere Film: “Arthur Elrod: Desert Cool” (2/15, $35 film, $125 Film+Reception, and rescreened 2/22, $15)

This new documentary explores the work of noted Palm Springs designer Aurthur Elrod, whose custom interiors matched the groundbreaking midcentury architecture rising in the desert.

Monday, February 16

Alta Revealed: Contemporary Desert Living

Modernism didn’t end in 1965. This tour spotlights contemporary homes that understand the lessons of the past — indoor-outdoor flow, climate intelligence, visual restraint — and apply them with modern confidence.

Sunmor Estates Midcentury Home Tour

Sunmor remains one of Palm Springs’ most intact architectural time capsules. Walking these homes feels like stepping into a Slim Aarons frame, minus the artifice.

Ocotillo Lodge: A Palmer & Krisel Talk & Tour

Few buildings capture Palm Springs’ playful side quite like the Ocotillo Lodge. This tour pairs historical context with architectural analysis, reminding visitors that fun was always part of the modernist project.

Montevideo Modernism (2/16, $18)

This panel will discuss the upcoming Montevideo Modernism multi-day event of symposia and tours of modernist architecture in and around the capital of Uruguay, Montevideo, scheduled for April 2026.

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Tuesday, February 17

Tour With the Author: Unseen Midcentury Desert Modern with Daniel Chavkin

Architecture critic Daniel Chavkin leads guests through lesser-known homes that tell a deeper story — about experimentation, regionalism, and what didn’t always make the postcards.

James Logan Abernathy Residence Tour (2/17, $50)

Tour the stunning James Logan Abernathy Residence, designed by modernist architect William F. Cody in 1962.

Let’s Go to the Fair! Futurama 1964 and the World of Tomorrow (2/17, $20)

Presenter Monica Penick, design historian at The University of Texas at Austin, will revisit the 1964 World’s Fair in New York to look at the futuristic cities, automated workplaces, dream homes (and cars), underwater resorts, and lunar habitats to consider just how well Futurama’s world of tomorrow predicted the world of today.

Home Movie Jukebox with Deserted Films (2/17 and 2/21, $25)

Back by audience demand, Palm Springs’ own Deserted Films offers new, informative and hilarious supercut of clips from their vast collection of 8mm, Super 8, and 16.

Wednesday, February 18

Garden Tour of the Kaufmann Residence

A focused look at how landscape completes architecture. At the Kaufmann House, the garden is not an accessory — it’s part of the composition, as deliberate as the glass and stone.

Interior Design Spotlight: Inside the Designer’s Home

Proof that modernism doesn’t have to feel museum-stiff. This intimate tour reveals how designers live with modernist principles day to day — layered, personal, and unapologetically stylish.

Thursday, February 19

Frank Sinatra’s Twin Palms Estate Tour

More than celebrity real estate, this home is a symbol — of Palm Springs’ transformation into Hollywood’s favorite hideaway and of how modern architecture became shorthand for success, leisure, and control.

Tour a Desert Eichler

Rare in this region, the Eichler model takes on new meaning in the desert. This tour explores how Joseph Eichler’s democratic modernism adapts to Palm Springs’ climate and culture.

Friday, February 20

Spotlight Home Tour: Elrod Reimagined

A careful rethinking of a storied modernist property, this tour examines what it means to update without erasing — a theme that runs quietly through the entire week.

Preservation Mirage Presents Richard Neutra’s Maslon House (2/20, $15, $45)

This is an encore screening of a documentary film about the Maslon House, a 1962 Modernist masterpiece designed by Richard Neutra. The Rancho Mirage home was suddenly razed in 2002, sparking international outrage.

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Saturday, February 21

Charles Phoenix: The Great American Retro Road Trip. A Midcentury Travelogue Tour Across the USA (2/21, $45, $60, and $75)

Charles Phoenix takes his audience on a colorful classic slide show road trip extravaganza and lavishes spirited commentary on Modernism Week • modernismweek.com Modernism Week Educational Talks and Films, Page 4 colorful, vintage Kodachrome slides taken by Americans vacationing in the United States in the 50s and 60s.

Andreas Hills II Neighborhood Home Tour

Set dramatically against the mountains, Andreas Hills homes lean into terrain and view, proving modernism’s adaptability to extreme sites.

Discover the Midcentury Marvel of Firebird Estates

Cohesive, confident, and deeply livable, Firebird Estates offers a textbook example of how modern planning and architecture once aligned seamlessly.

Entertainment on the Green: Celebrities & Cocktails

As the sun sets, Modernism Week remembers it’s also a party. This evening gathering blends live entertainment, cocktails, and the kind of Palm Springs glamour that never feels forced.

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Sunday, February 22 | Closing Day

Final Home Tours & Frey House II Encore

A last look before the doors close and the desert exhales. These final tours offer a quieter, more reflective end to a week that proves — year after year — that modernism isn’t nostalgia. It’s a living style.

Encore Screening: Step Back in Time to See the Debut of the 1931 Aluminaire House (2/14 -2/17, 2/19, 2/21, 2/22, FREE)

Take an unforgettable and immersive journey to 1931 and experience the Aluminaire House as seen by the public for the very first time. This film was the recipient of two 2025 Telly Awards. This immersive experience is presented by Modernism Week in celebration of the 10 years dedicated to promoting and supporting Aluminaire’s arrival and reassembly in Palm Springs.

Discover the full lineup of Modernism Week events and secure your tickets here. Enjoy!

Jacqueline Tager | DRE# 1476997
jacqueline.tager@sothebyshomes.com | (323) 697-3040
Sotheby’s International Realty – Los Feliz Brokerage
1801 N Hillhurst Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90027

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