Behind the Scenes
Go “Behind the Scenes” at the Museum and see what goes into maintaining the West’s largest collection of rail cars, with tours and access to areas not normally open to the public.
At this annual all-day event, visitors get special access to locomotives, passenger and freight cars, streetcars, interurban electric cars and artifacts dating back to 1870.
Bring the family for a fun and fascinating day! Activities at Behind the Scenes will feature tours, and access to maintenance and restoration areas not normally open to the public (like Carhouse 7).
In addition to this we will be highlighting our fleet of maintenance vehicles that help keep the museum on track! This includes our Maintenance of Way fleet, overhead maintenance vehicles, our Fire and Emergency Services fleet, and our facility maintenance vehicles.
Admission includes unlimited rides on other classic passenger trains and streetcars of Southern California’s railroad past. This gated event supports museum operations and the continued restoration of historic rail cars and rail lines.
Visit socalrailway.org for more information.
HVAA General Meeting
Spend a creative afternoon with the Hemet Valley Art Association as we welcome this month’s featured demo artist, Valentina Landin—a talented Ukrainian-born painter celebrated for her beautiful impressionist and traditional works in oil, watercolor, pastel, and acrylic. 🎨🖌️
Enjoy raffles, snacks, and connect with a friendly, inspiring art community.
Everyone is welcome—come be part of the fun!
Visit Hemet Valley Art Association event page for more information.
Behind the Scenes
Go “Behind the Scenes” at the Museum and see what goes into maintaining the West’s largest collection of rail cars, with tours and access to areas not normally open to the public.
At this annual all-day event, visitors get special access to locomotives, passenger and freight cars, streetcars, interurban electric cars and artifacts dating back to 1870.
Bring the family for a fun and fascinating day! Activities at Behind the Scenes will feature tours, and access to maintenance and restoration areas not normally open to the public (like Carhouse 7).
In addition to this we will be highlighting our fleet of maintenance vehicles that help keep the museum on track! This includes our Maintenance of Way fleet, overhead maintenance vehicles, our Fire and Emergency Services fleet, and our facility maintenance vehicles.
Admission includes unlimited rides on other classic passenger trains and streetcars of Southern California’s railroad past. This gated event supports museum operations and the continued restoration of historic rail cars and rail lines.
Visit socalrailway.org for more information.
BBQ, Boots and Brew
The Southern California Railway Museum (SCRM) is excited to announce our Annual BBQ Competition Event – BBQ, Boots and Brew: a KCBS Sanctioned Master’s Series BBQ Competition!
Join us for a day full of amazing BBQ, unique craft beer, and live music. SCRM is inviting competitive BBQ teams to showcase some of their very best BBQ for a chance to win 1st place and earn points toward larger BBQ Competitions like the Jack Daniel’s World Championship. And, what would BBQ be without beer? For this reason SCRM has invited some of the finest craft breweries our Inland Empire Region has to offer.
In addition to the delicious food and drink we will have available this event will also feature Live Music performances, rides on historic trains and trolleys, games, open exhibits, photo opportunities, and unique craft vendors.
Visit socialrailway.org for more information.
Desert X
Desert X is an exhibition conceptualized as a self-guided outdoor experience where you determine the start and end point of your journey. You can make a day of it to visit each site or visit as many sites as you choose – it’s all up to you. The artists in the exhibition create instruments of self-awareness that make visible the forces that are exerted on the world: how our environments are designed, how life is lived, and the messages that are sent that reinforce systems that might or might not be beneficial for all.
Art Exhibit: Five things you can’t wear on TV by Raphael Hefti
City of Palm Desert Homme-Adams Park
72500 Thrush Rd, Palm Desert, CA 92260Art Exhibit: Truth Arrives in Slanted Beams by Sarah Meyohas
74184 Portola Road, Palm Desert
Visit desertx.org for more information.
The Perez Art District Art Walk
The Perez Art District Art Walk is a vibrant monthly event held on 4th Fridays from 4–7 PM in Cathedral City. Featuring over 40 practicing artists working in open studios, visitors can explore unique creative spaces, meet the artists, and purchase art directly. Enjoy free live music, beverages, and snacks as you stroll through the district located along Perez Road. It’s a perfect evening of local art, community, and inspiration!
The Science of Scent
Saturday, March 22nd | Ticketed workshop at Heritage House | 9-10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
“The Science of Scent” - Dr. Julie Reints from Dissertation Soap will join us for a morning of exploring our sense of smell. Make your own bath bomb with a personalized mix of scents. Tickets are $10. Event is recommended for ages 7+. Capacity is 50 per session. Buy your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/science-of-scent-bath-bomb-workshop-tickets-1236695502539?aff=oddtdtcreator
Open Mic Night
Join us for an inspiring Open Mic Night in celebration of Women's History Month! Come share your voice, support young artists, and enjoy a night of creativity!
🔹 For youth ages 13-25
🔹 Performers must register by March 19
Open Mic Night March 21st Register here.
Visit silencealoud.info for more details, activities, and events.
The Bridge Wellness Center is a third space for youth ages 13 to 24. We provide access to plenty of creative outlets for youth to explore and develop their interests and skills in the arts. Our facility has a recording studio, computer workstations with the adobe creative cloud downloaded onto them, green screen and other colored backdrops, lighting , and other various art supplies. We are a non-profit that provides our services to the youth for free.
Palm Desert Food and Wine
Calling all food and wine lovers. Join us in 2025 for a spectacular culinary experience with a roster of the nation’s top chefs. We return on March 20-23, 2025 with a three-day experience that will feature a diverse selection of mouth-watering eats, premium wines, hands-on cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs, and much more. Produced by Palm Springs Life magazine and located in the breathtaking tree-lined El Paseo shopping district in Palm Desert, California, this annual gastronomic event is the most celebrated cuisine and beverage festival in Greater Palm Springs and will feature a roster of the nation’s top chefs, vintners, and brewmasters. The fête begins with a James Beard Gourmet Four-Course Luncheon prepared by culinary virtuosos and will be followed by two days of grand tastings, where you can delight in delectable offerings from local and regional restaurants and sample more than 60 wines or enjoy unique craft brews, IPAs, and draught ciders. Enjoy some of the most delicious offerings in the Coachella Valley, a destination where talent, sophistication, and unbelievable views blend to create the ultimate culinary event.
Visit www.palmdesert.gov for more information.
Fun Family Game Night
The Bridge Wellness Center is a third space for youth ages 13 to 24. We provide access to plenty of creative outlets for youth to explore and develop their interests and skills in the arts. Our facility has a recording studio, computer workstations with the adobe creative cloud downloaded onto them, green screen and other colored backdrops, lighting , and other various art supplies. We are a non-profit that provides our services to the youth for free.
Visit silencealoud.info for more details, activities, and events.
STEAM Fest Express
Hop on Board for the S.T.E.A.M. Fest Express at Southern California Railway Museum, featuring “Buddy” from the PBS SoCal KIDS Show “Dinosaur Train.”
Southern California Railway Museum is excited to announce the return of the S.T.E.A.M Fest Express (formerly “DinoTrain”), a unique, outdoor, interactive experience created in partnership with PBS. Buddy the Dinosaur has been invited to the Museum to meet with his fans and highlight his favorite topics of Paleontology, Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math.
The S.T.E.A.M. Fest Express is on its way! Don’t miss out on this exciting experience – join us for some prehistoric playtime!
Visit socalrailway.org for more information.
First Comes Love: Courtship in the Victorian Era
Exhibition Opening Activities at Heritage House | 12-4 p.m.
Victorian courtship included very personal messages sent in code through flowers, fans, and even stamp placement on letters. Come learn about these secret love messages and tour the house to see the new exhibition, First Comes Love: Courtship in the Victorian Era. From 12-4 p.m., join us in the gardens for an afternoon of creating paper flowers, fans, and silhouette cutouts. This event is family-friendly and FREE.
STEAM Fest Express
Hop on Board for the S.T.E.A.M. Fest Express at Southern California Railway Museum, featuring “Buddy” from the PBS SoCal KIDS Show “Dinosaur Train.”
Southern California Railway Museum is excited to announce the return of the S.T.E.A.M Fest Express (formerly “DinoTrain”), a unique, outdoor, interactive experience created in partnership with PBS. Buddy the Dinosaur has been invited to the Museum to meet with his fans and highlight his favorite topics of Paleontology, Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math.
The S.T.E.A.M. Fest Express is on its way! Don’t miss out on this exciting experience – join us for some prehistoric playtime!
Visit socalrailway.org for more information.
Fashion Week El Paseo
Celebrate 18 years of style at the West Coast’s largest consumer fashion show, Fashion Week El Paseo, to be held March 15-19, 2025, at The Gardens on El Paseo in Palm Desert. This world-class event provides an inspiring, immersive fashion experience and features cocktail receptions, pop-up shops, celebrity meet-and-greets, and much more. Highlighting fashion trends and showcasing a who’s-who of the country’s top design talents (including some stars of tomorrow), Fashion Week El Paseo takes one of the world’s most relatable art forms and brings it to you in style. Enjoy the sophistication and luxury of the desert as you indulge your inner fashionista at this premier, state-of-the-art experience that celebrates the newest collections of the industry’s most prominent influencers and innovators.
Visit www.palmdesert.gov for more information.
Mind the Gender Gap lI
In conjunction with the Mind the Gender Gap exhibition, RCAA has organized this Panel Discussion at the Civil Rights Institute Inland Southern California. Not to be missed!!
Current Exhibits
See the Exhibits page to view images from our past exhibits. Our current exhibits are shown here!
Your purchase of artwork supports local artists and the Riverside Community Arts Association!
See also our "Special Events" and "Fundraiser" pages for exciting "hands on" artistic events coming soon!
MOVAL Multicultural & Art Festival
Celebrate Moreno Valley’s rich and various cultures by joining us for a day of art, dance, music, entertainment, great food, and activities that will demonstrate cultural traditions.
Date: March 8, 2025
Time: 2 – 6 pm
Cost: FREE
Location: Civic Center Amphitheater (14075 Frederick St.)
Railroadiana - Spring Swap Meet
Visit www.socalrailway.org for more information.
Shop for and learn about railroadiana and railroad antiques at Southern California’s largest outdoor railroadiana swap meet. Today guests can also enjoy an exclusive opportunity to experience our Pacific Electric collection with trolleys running every 30 minutes.
Vendors will be selling railroad collectibles, art, books, models and toy trains. Railroad historians and preservationists will be on hand to tell the story of Southern California’s railway history. Fun and learning for the whole family!
SCRM hosts a variety of independent vendors for this event and cannot guarantee that all vendors will remain on-site until 2pm to showcase and sell their collectibles and wares, so early arrival is suggested.
Dates & Departures
March 8, 2025
The event runs from 9 am to 2 pm
Pacific Electric Departure Schedule
Mainline Blimp Train (PE 418 and PE 498) departing every hour, on the hour, between 11am and 4pm
Mainline Electric PE 717 departing every hour, on the half hour, between 11:30am and 4:30pm
Loopline PE 332 (Birney) departing on demand between 11am-4pm
Details
General Admission – Gates Open at 9am
Pre-Sale Admission Online: Adult $8, Age 5-11 $7
Day of General Admission: Adult $10, Age 5-11 $9
Upgrade to unlimited trolley rides: $4 online, $5 day-of
Vendor Admission – Gates Open at 7am
Vendor Admission Pre-Sale Online $21.20
Vendor Admission Day Of $25
Interested in getting more information on vending? Please fill out our Vendor Registration Form.
Riverside County Arts & Culture Kick-Off
Take a stroll through the Riverside Artswalk and enjoy exciting activities, including a performance, opening speeches, and insights into the locations participating in this month-long celebration.
Join us for the Kick-Off Event on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at 5:30 PM
📍 The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture
🌟 Free event to attend
Culture Days - Mexico
At the Temecula Valley Museum, we celebrate a different region or culture on the second Saturday of each month. Join us for Culture Days and enjoy entertainment, crafts, refreshments, an educational scavenger hunt, and an art class taught by Bigfoot Art Classes…all for FREE! The upcoming cultures to be celebrated during this summer are listed below.
August 10, 2024 – Scotland
September 14, 2024 – Mexico
For more information on this event, or how to participate as an artist, please visit TemeculaValleyMuseum.org
Temecula Art Nights - Dorland Mountain Arts Colony
The City of Temecula Community Services Department of Arts and Culture hosts a monthly Art Nights event in Old Town Temecula. This free event is hosted at the Merc and the Lot on Main (42051 Main St. Temecula, CA 92590) and is free for artists to showcase and sell their artwork to the public. Art Nights also features an art gallery reception at the Merc. Every month, the gallery at the Merc features rotating art shows by community artists; see the upcoming featured artists below.
August 2, 2024 – Carl Kravats
September 6, 2024 – Dorland Mountain Arts Colony
For more information on this event, or how to participate as an artist, please visit TemeculaValleyMuseum.org
17th Annual Ralph Love Plein Air Exhibition
The Temecula Valley Museum will be hosting an exhibition featuring art made by local artists for the 17th Annual Ralph Love Plein Air Competition. The art, made en plein air (in the open air), will showcase the beautiful landscapes found throughout the Temecula Valley. A public reception with live music and refreshments will be held at The Temecula Valley Museum on September 20, 2024 at 5:30pm. Winners will be announced at the reception.
For more information on this exhibit and what’s to come, please visit TemeculaValleyMuseum.org.
Culture Days - Scotland
At the Temecula Valley Museum, we celebrate a different region or culture on the second Saturday of each month. Join us for Culture Days and enjoy entertainment, crafts, refreshments, an educational scavenger hunt, and an art class taught by Bigfoot Art Classes…all for FREE! The upcoming cultures to be celebrated during this summer are listed below.
August 10, 2024 – Scotland
September 14, 2024 – Mexico
For more information on this event, or how to participate as an artist, please visit TemeculaValleyMuseum.org
Temecula Art Nights - Carl Kravats
The City of Temecula Community Services Department of Arts and Culture hosts a monthly Art Nights event in Old Town Temecula. This free event is hosted at the Merc and the Lot on Main (42051 Main St. Temecula, CA 92590) and is free for artists to showcase and sell their artwork to the public. Art Nights also features an art gallery reception at the Merc. Every month, the gallery at the Merc features rotating art shows by community artists; see the upcoming featured artists below.
August 2, 2024 – Carl Kravats
September 6, 2024 – Dorland Mountain Arts Colony
For more information on this event, or how to participate as an artist, please visit TemeculaValleyMuseum.org
17th Annual Ralph Love Plein Air Competition
Enjoy the outdoors and paint the beautiful landscapes and landmarks of Temecula. Each year during this competition, artists paint en plein air (a method of painting outdoors) taking inspiration from different locations around the city. This competition is for artists of all ages and contains three separate age brackets: Adult (18+ years of age), Youth (14-17 years of age), Youth (13 years of age & under), all of which offer prizes for competition winners.
This Year’s Three Paint Locations Include:
Old Town Temecula: Artist’s Choice of Old Town Site
Temecula Wine Country: Artist’s Choice of Winery
City of Temecula Parks: Artist’s Choice of Temecula Parks
For more information on this competition and how to register, please visit TemeculaValleyMuseum.org
RAM James Baldwin – Nothing Personal
@ Riverside Art Museum
EXHIBITION ON VIEW: July 13, 2024 – November 3, 2024
Location: Second floor gallery
James Baldwin (1924–1987) was one of the most influential African American writers and civil rights activists of the 20th century. Born in Harlem, New York, he developed a love for language and literature that would shape his life’s work. Baldwin’s writings fearlessly explored issues of race, sexuality, identity, and inequality in America with searing honesty and insight. His early novels Go Tell It on the Mountain (1953) and Giovanni’s Room (1956) broke new ground in their nuanced portrayals of the Black and queer experience. He was equally known for his non-fiction work, such as his revolutionary essay collection Notes of a Native Son (1955), which established him as a powerful new voice in literature.
Aliento a Tequila
The Aliento a Tequila (or The Spirit of Tequila) exhibition explores and celebrates the landscape, culture, and traditions that gave birth to tequila, Mexico’s national drink. In this series, photographer Joel Salcido includes the original distilleries that literally founded the industry, as well as several artisanal tequileras committed to the ancestral ways of making tequila from harvest to bottle. Salcido’s photographs, together with the bilingual Spanish/English texts, reveal not only the tequila making process but also the region’s traditions of culture and religion. Aliento a Tequila celebrates a craft that is rooted deep in the culture of Mexico and connects viewers with the labor and place that produces this popular spirit. See this exhibit now at the Temecula Valley Museum.
The Perez Art District Art Walk
4th FRIDAY ART WALK is a great way to kick off your weekend festivities!
It’s also a great way to experience some of the most innovative work being done in the Valley. Most of the artists that have created the work will be on-site to discuss the work and the journey behind it.
These nights have been very well attended this year and we hope you will stop by in MARCH to see our new work. We’re VERY excited about it and we can’t wait to share it all with you.
With more than 15 artist owned galleries, there is always something brand new and thought provoking to experience.
Come experience The PEREZ ART DISTRICT for the FIRST time, EVERY time!
The Original Palm Desert Certified Farmers Market
Free admission to the Original Palm Desert Certified Farmers Market. A Palm Springs Cultural Center Program.
Visit the Palm Desert location and support local businesses, artists, and more.
Visit the certified farmers market website for more information.
The Original Palm Springs Farmers Market
Free to public from 8am to 1pm on Saturdays.
Support local artists, vendors, and businesses and enjoy your Saturday mornings in Palm Springs!
For more information, visit the certified farmers market website.
The Perez Art District Art Walk
4th FRIDAY ART WALK is a great way to kick off your weekend festivities!
It’s also a great way to experience some of the most innovative work being done in the Valley. Most of the artists that have created the work will be on-site to discuss the work and the journey behind it.
These nights have been very well attended this year and we hope you will stop by in MARCH to see our new work. We’re VERY excited about it and we can’t wait to share it all with you.
With more than 15 artist owned galleries, there is always something brand new and thought provoking to experience.
Come experience The PEREZ ART DISTRICT for the FIRST time, EVERY time!
The Original Palm Desert Certified Farmers Market
Free admission to the Original Palm Desert Certified Farmers Market. A Palm Springs Cultural Center Program.
Visit the Palm Desert location and support local businesses, artists, and more.
Visit the certified farmers market website for more information.
Earth Day Hike
Come celebrate Planet Earth with a hike through Long Valley with park staff and learn how we can be better stewards and care for our public lands.
<1 mile loop around Long Valley. Total time approx 1.5-2 hours. Shoes with good traction or traction devices for snow are recommended.
Meet at 10:00 A.M. ground floor patio of Mountain Station up Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.
Earth Day Forest Cleanup
Join us in celebrating our beloved Planet Earth with some spring cleaning. Going on all day! Grab a Litter Getter bag and a glove from staff, collect some trash, and return for awesome prizes!
The Original Palm Springs Farmers Market
Free to public from 8am to 1pm on Saturdays.
Support local artists, vendors, and businesses and enjoy your Saturday mornings in Palm Springs!
For more information, visit the certified farmers market website.
The Original Palm Desert Certified Farmers Market
Free admission to the Original Palm Desert Certified Farmers Market. A Palm Springs Cultural Center Program.
Visit the Palm Desert location and support local businesses, artists, and more.
Visit the certified farmers market website for more information.