Modernism Week in Palm Springs

Midcentury architecture, art and design on display during Modernism Week.

Modernism Week’s signature February festival will take place Feb. 13 – 23, highlighting midcentury modern architecture, art, interior and landscape design, and vintage culture in the Palm Springs area of Southern California.

Celebrating its 15th year, the annual 11-day festival will feature more than 350 events, including the Palm Springs Modernism Show & Sale, tours of iconic homes in more than 30 neighborhoods, walking tours and nightly parties. Also offered are architecture-focused biking and double-decker bus tours, tours of the historic Annenberg Estate at Sunnylands, a classic car show, garden tours, and a special series of compelling and informative talks. A portion of ticket proceeds benefit Modernism Week, which is a nonprofit organization, and other local preservation, neighborhood and community groups.

As additional events are finalized, they will be added for sale at modernismweek.com on the first of each month. Some events sell out quickly. The following events are new for 2020.

Keynote speech: ‘Daniel Libeskind: Edge of Order’

Architect, artist, professor and set designer Daniel Libeskind will share the incredible story of his architectural journey at the annual Modernism Week keynote address. The event begins at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15; tickets are $45-$65.

Tours of the Modernism Week Showcase Home and four Modernism Week Featured Homes

Each year, Modernism Week offers exclusive tours of Featured Homes, and this year it has added a special Showcase Home. Attendees will be able tour the five homes, all located in the Coachella Valley. Tours occur on different days throughout the 11-day festival.

‘Space Modyssey 2020’: Modernism Week’s opening night party

Launch into outer space at this wild and entertaining opening night party celebrating 15 years of Modernism Week. The Palm Springs Air Museum will be transformed into a futuristic space bar, complete with intergalactic cocktails and atomic party cuisine provided by Lulu California Bistro, and a performance by the legendary David Bowie tribute band Space Oddity. Guests are encouraged to dress in their favorite party gear or space regalia. The event takes place from 7 to 11 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 13; tickets are $175. This special evening is presented by Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery.

Additional brand-new events for 2020 include:

Programs celebrating the Alexander Construction Company family builders in Palm Springs.
A Palm Desert Signature Home Tour.
A panel on how Sunset magazine’s archives were saved.
Shea Residence — Palm Springs Modern Committee Iconic Home Tour.
The lecture “Daughters of Design: Bertoia, Eames, and Saarinen.”
The seminar “Birth of the Cool: A Symposium on California Architecture, Art, Design, and Culture at Midcentury.”
A “Nutty Professor” party at the Jerry Lewis House.
Discussions on the significance of John Lautner.
A series of talks on Australia’s modern architecture.