Modernism Week Fall Edition returns to Palm Springs from October 17 through October 20, according to the official event schedule released by organizers. The four-day festival features midcentury modern architecture tours, home interior design exhibitions, landscape design viewings, and vintage style events across the desert resort city.
According to Modernism Week executive director Lisa Vossler Smith, the annual autumn event offers visitors a concentrated look at the region’s historic preservation efforts and iconic design heritage. The festival serves as a smaller companion to the major 11-day annual festival held every February, drawing architecture enthusiasts and preservationists from across the country to Southern California.
Featured Architecture Tours and Neighborhood Events
The schedule includes double-decker architectural bus tours, walking tours of historic neighborhoods, and self-guided drives highlighting classic Palm Springs design. According to the event program, attendees can access private residential properties rarely open to the public, showcasing notable architects who shaped the desert modernist movement during the mid-20th century.
Interior design exhibitions and landscape presentations run concurrently throughout the weekend, focusing on desert-appropriate plantings and authentic period furnishings. Local preservation groups coordinate with the organization to host panel discussions regarding the ongoing maintenance and restoration of fragile midcentury residential structures.
Vintage Culture and Social Gatherings
Evening parties and retro-themed social events take place at historic hotels and landmark residential properties across Palm Springs. According to event organizers, the popular vintage marketplace opens for attendees seeking period clothing, art, and home decor items from local and regional vendors.
Tickets for the signature tours and keynote events go on sale through the official Modernism Week website, with proceeds supporting local preservation projects and student scholarships. Visitors can review the complete calendar and secure reservations directly via Modernism Week.