December settles into the high desert a little differently. The nights get cold enough to see your breath, the stars sharpen, and the towns start to glow with their own kind of holiday charm.

There’s something special about the holidays in the high desert — cold mornings, warm light, and a slow shift in the air that tells you the season has arrived. And starting December 5th, Joshua Tree Trading Post is bringing a little extra magic to town with our annual Christmas Tree event.

This weekend, that hum gets a little louder. Orville Peck — the masked cowboy himself — is playing live at Pappy & Harriet’s, and it’s shaping up to be one of those nights people will talk about long after the amps go quiet.

The desert sun hits just right on the weekends, painting Joshua Tree in golden light. You can hear it in the strum of a guitar before you even reach the market — that first note drifting over the sand, carrying the promise of a weekend that feels easy and alive. That’s the magic of the Sound and Sand Music Series, happening this Saturday and Sunday in Joshua Tree. 

With average temperatures ranging from a comfortable 70°F during the day to a refreshing 40°F at night, it's the ideal time to explore the park's rugged landscapes and breathtaking vistas. The clear skies and low humidity make it the perfect time for outdoor activities, from hiking the numerous trails to capturing the stunning night sky through the lens of your camera.