Things to Do in Joshua Tree This Week: Nov. 2–8, 2026

Updated Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, 8:05 AM PT

The first full week of November is packed across the Morongo Basin, and most of the biggest events are free. The Yucca Valley Film Festival runs Wednesday, Nov. 4 through Sunday, Nov. 8. It starts with two Joshua Tree Film Office nights at Paradigm Cinemas, where tickets are free with a donation, then moves to three days of free screenings at the Yucca Valley Community Center. On Saturday, Nov. 7, Twentynine Palms opens the free Joshua Tree National Park Art Exposition at the 29 Palms Art Gallery. The same weekend brings the free 89th annual Weed Show down the street and the free Desert Discovery Day for families (registration required). Pappy & Harriet's has Southern Culture on the Skids on Monday ($25) and Big Freedia on Tuesday ($42). Paul Cauthen (Friday) and The California Honeydrops (Sunday) are sold out. Saturday night, just before the new moon, also brings two stargazing programs and the night-time Joshua Tree Half Marathon. Expect sunny days around 70°F all week.

Below is everything we confirmed this morning on the organizers' own pages, day by day, plus the weather and park notes you'll want before you drive in. For the full list, including shows further out, see our Around town events calendar.

What's the weather in Joshua Tree this week?

It's a sunny, mild week. The National Weather Service forecast for the town of Joshua Tree calls for sunny highs of 68°F Monday and 72°F Tuesday, then about 70°F Wednesday and Thursday and 71°F Friday and Saturday. Lows run in the low 50s. Twentynine Palms is a few degrees warmer, with highs of 71–75°F.

The wind is the one thing to watch. North winds pick up Friday night into Saturday, at about 9–18 mph in Joshua Tree. In Twentynine Palms, gusts could reach about 25 mph Friday and Saturday, and 30 mph Friday night. That matters for Saturday's outdoor art market, star parties and evening half marathon. Sunday, Nov. 8 isn't in the seven-day forecast yet. There were no active weather alerts for Joshua Tree or Twentynine Palms this morning. Nights get chilly once the sun goes down, a little before 4:50 PM, so bring a warm layer.

Is anything closed in Joshua Tree National Park?

Parts of the West Side Loop trail in the Black Rock area are closed for trail repairs through about Nov. 7. Hikers and riders can bypass the work on connector trails along Black Rock Canyon. The Oasis of Mara Trail is still closed past the oasis after earlier flood damage. NPS also warns that some third-party hiking apps give inaccurate trail and safety information, and it recommends the official NPS app. Geology Tour Road no longer appears on the park's current alerts list. Check the park's alerts and conditions page the day you go.

Monday, Nov. 2: Southern Culture on the Skids

• Southern Culture on the Skids at Pappy & Harriet's, 53688 Pioneertown Rd., Pioneertown. Doors 8 PM, show 9 PM, all ages, $25 ($32.01 with fees).

Tuesday, Nov. 3: Big Freedia

• Big Freedia: Big Freedom Tour, presented by KCRW, at Pappy & Harriet's. Doors 7 PM, show 8 PM, all ages, $42 ($51.27 with fees).

Wednesday, Nov. 4: film festival opens, bird walk, Inner Wave

• Wednesday Bird Walk, 8–10:30 AM, at Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, 50048 29 Palms Hwy., Morongo Valley. Meet at the information kiosk south of the parking lot. Beginners are welcome, no reservation is needed, and the walk is free (donations welcome).
• Yucca Valley Film Festival, Joshua Tree Film Office Night 1, at Paradigm Cinemas, 56401 29 Palms Hwy., Yucca Valley. Doors 5:30 PM. The program pairs Thank You For Listening, a 28-minute documentary about musician Joshua Ray Walker, with the horror feature Woozy, starring Emile Hirsch and Jackie Cruz, followed by a Q&A. The festival program lists tickets as free with a donation.
• Inner Wave with Heathers and Twin Seas, presented by (((folkYEAH!))), at Pappy & Harriet's. Doors 7 PM, show 8 PM, all ages, $34 ($41.90 with fees).

Thursday, Nov. 5: film night two, Keller Williams, Sidewinder

• Yucca Valley Film Festival, Joshua Tree Film Office Night 2, Paradigm Cinemas, Yucca Valley. Doors 5 PM. The lineup is Way Out West, a 14-minute short filmed locally and making its West Coast premiere, plus the feature documentary Sell Your House and the feature Crystal Cross. Tickets are free with a donation, and there's a Q&A after the films (program).
• Sidewinder at Z Club, 61877 29 Palms Hwy., Joshua Tree, 7–9:30 PM.
• Keller Williams at Pappy & Harriet's. Doors 8 PM, show 9 PM, all ages, $30 ($37.73 with fees).

The Leave No Trace Spotlight on Joshua Tree National Park runs Nov. 5–7, with a trivia night Friday and Desert Discovery Day Saturday (Leave No Trace).

Friday, Nov. 6: film festival opening night and gallery openings

• Yucca Valley Film Festival opening night, Yucca Valley Community Center, 57090 29 Palms Hwy., Yucca Valley. Admission is free Friday through Sunday. The red carpet starts at 5 PM in the courtyard, with two sets from Gunfighters for Hire between 5 and 6 PM. A meet-and-greet follows at 6 PM, and the opening films start at 6:45 PM. The festival asks you to reserve a free spot for opening night (program).
• The festival's after party starts at 10 PM at Snake Bite Roadhouse, 55405 29 Palms Hwy., Yucca Valley, co-hosted by Brown Girls Desert Club (festival post).
• Jake Reiland solo exhibition opening, 4–6 PM, MazAmar Art Pottery, 53626 Mane St., Pioneertown. It includes a talk on firing techniques, piano by Miriam Taylor and refreshments. The show is open daily 11 AM–5 PM through Dec. 6 (Gazette listing).
• Paws for Art, 6–9 PM, La Matadora Gallery, 61857 29 Palms Hwy., Joshua Tree. The art show benefits the Joshua Tree No Kill Shelter, with treats from The Dez and a silent auction for a Shag "Dog Meet" print. It's also open Saturday from noon to 6 PM, and the auction winner is announced at 6 PM Saturday (per the Pioneertown Gazette).
• Leave No Trace Trivia Night and Social, 6–8 PM, Más o Menos, 66031 29 Palms Hwy., Joshua Tree.
• Los Poncho Tones at Red Dog Saloon, 53539 Mane St., Pioneertown, 7–10 PM.
• Paul Cauthen with The Wilder Blue on Pappy & Harriet's outdoor stage. Doors 5:30 PM, show 7 PM. It's sold out.

Saturday, Nov. 7: art expo, Weed Show, Desert Discovery Day, and stargazing

Daytime:

• The 29 Palms Farmers Market runs 8 AM–1 PM at Freedom Plaza in downtown Twentynine Palms.
• Yucca Valley Film Festival, Day 2, Yucca Valley Community Center, free. Coffee and donuts and a screenwriters roundtable start at 8:30 AM, and screenings begin at 9:45 AM. Animated shorts for kids and families play at 1 PM, and more screenings follow at 2:15 PM. Koroneburg Renaissance villagers join the 5 PM red carpet, and evening screenings start at 6:30 PM. The day ends with "Night Call" at 10 PM at The Tiny Pony Tavern, 57205 29 Palms Hwy. (program).
• Family Nature Walk, 9–10:30 AM, Big Morongo Canyon Preserve. It's free; meet at the visitor kiosk in the parking lot.
• Desert Discovery Day: A Leave No Trace Spotlight, 10 AM–1 PM, Freedom Plaza Gym, 6547 Freedom Way, Twentynine Palms. Joshua Tree National Park Association and Desert Institute bring ambassador animals (snakes, lizards and tarantulas), park rangers, scientists and climbing guides. There are also desert crafts, story time and s'mores. It's free, indoors, and for all ages, but registration is required.
• Joshua Tree National Park Art Exposition opening weekend, 29 Palms Art Gallery, 74055 Cottonwood Dr., Twentynine Palms, next to the Oasis of Mara. It's free and open 10 AM–7 PM Saturday. The art market with artist booths runs 10 AM–4 PM, with live music, food from Rocky's Pizza and a cash wine and beer bar. The awards reception is 4–7 PM, with awards presented at 5 PM. The juried show stays up through Nov. 29 (Fri–Sun, 11 AM–3 PM).
• 89th Annual Weed Show, noon–4 PM, Old Schoolhouse Museum, 6760 National Park Dr., Twentynine Palms. The Twentynine Palms Historical Society's free show is the basin's oldest tradition: arrangements made from dried desert plants and found objects. This year's theme is "G.O.A.T. — The Greatest of All Time!" It's a short walk from the Art Expo.
• High Desert Test Sites tour of A-Z West, 11 AM–12:30 PM, Joshua Tree. The 90-minute tour covers Andrea Zittel's 80-acre testing ground for living, on unshaded dirt paths. $35.
• Desert Groove Day Party at Más o Menos, Joshua Tree, 1 PM–1 AM. It's free with RSVP (donations go to the performers) and 21+. Headliner Jason Blakemore aka DJ Trance plays 6:30–9:30 PM, with daytime sets from Paul Silva, King Abe, Phil Bronco and Jeff Jam. There's Hi-Dez Bocce, pizza from Noble Yeast and tacos from Much Ado. DJs Stoney & The Marmon Party play the after party from 9:30 PM.
• Constance Old: artist talk and open studio, 3 PM, BoxoHOUSE (BoxoPROJECTS), Joshua Tree.
• Abstract Geometries opening reception, 4–8 PM, Compound YV, 55379 29 Palms Hwy., Yucca Valley. It features work by Christopher Ronk, DA·MA and Jenene Nagy, and runs through Jan. 3, 2027.

Evening:

• November Star Party, 4–9 PM, from the San Bernardino Valley Amateur Astronomers at Pioneertown Mountains Preserve. The club says visitors are welcome, but the location can change, so check its page for weather and member attendance before you drive out.
• New Moon Night Sky Program, 5:30–7:30 PM, Sky's The Limit Observatory & Nature Center, Twentynine Palms. Reservations are required, and it costs a $25 non-refundable donation per vehicle. Views include the 14-inch Celestron telescope in the dome.
• Joshua Tree Half Marathon, a night race starting at 6 PM from RESET Hotel in Twentynine Palms. Bib pickup and the expo run from noon, and every runner needs a light. Hotel parking is for guests only, so runners use satellite lots. Expect race traffic around Twentynine Palms Saturday evening.
• Desert Conjurings, a solo performance written and performed by Tami Spry, 6 PM, Hi-Desert Artists, 55635 29 Palms Hwy., Yucca Valley. Free, first-come seating.
• Doug MacDonald and Friends at Z Club, Joshua Tree, 7–9:30 PM.
• Holy Wave with Queen Serene, presented by KCRW, at Pappy & Harriet's. Doors 8:30 PM, show 9:30 PM, all ages, $19 ($24.46 with fees).

The sun sets at 4:47 PM on Saturday, and the thin waning moon doesn't rise until about 4:40 AM, so the sky is dark all evening for stargazing.

Sunday, Nov. 8: film festival finale and the last day of the Weed Show

• Yucca Valley Film Festival, closing day. At 8 AM, a caravan leaves back-lot parking #4 at the Community Center for the WhiteHorse Ranch western studio (arrive about 9 AM, open to all). Screenings start at 1 PM back in Yucca Valley, and mentorship pitch sessions follow at 4 PM. The day ends with a 5 PM social hour, red carpet, closing ceremony and awards (program).
• Science Sunday with Ranger Kaeliegh, Big Morongo Canyon Preserve: drop in at the Nature Center any time between 9 AM and noon for family science programs.
• Joshua Tree National Park Art Exposition opening weekend, day two: 10 AM–4 PM, with the art market 10 AM–4 PM and live music, all free (JTNP Council for the Arts).
• 89th Annual Weed Show, 10 AM–4 PM, Old Schoolhouse Museum, Twentynine Palms. Free.
• Desert Conjurings by Tami Spry, 2 PM, Hi-Desert Artists, Yucca Valley. Free, first-come seating.
• The California Honeydrops: Sweet Like That Tour 2026 at Pappy & Harriet's. Doors 8 PM, show 9 PM. It's sold out.

What's coming next week?

Pappy & Harriet's has Tuba Skinny on Monday, Nov. 9 (8 PM, $19). Rodrigo y Gabriela play Wednesday, Nov. 11 (7 PM, from $51), and Nick Shoulders plays Thursday, Nov. 12 (7 PM, from $21). Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, is a fee-free entrance day at Joshua Tree National Park for U.S. citizens and residents. The Twentynine Palms Book Festival runs Nov. 13–15, with 100+ authors and 20+ panels, talks and workshops. Also on Friday, Nov. 13, An Evening with Murray Hill, in conversation with Selene Luna, plays The Station in Joshua Tree (6:30–8:30 PM). On Saturday, Nov. 14, Desert Institute runs a Paleontology of Joshua Tree Field Experience (9 AM–noon, $40), and Sky's The Limit presents Europa Clipper: Mission to Jupiter's Ocean Moon (5:30–7:30 PM, $25 per vehicle). Dates, prices, and ticket links are on our Around town calendar.

Stop by while you're in town

We're on Highway 62 at 61716 29 Palms Hwy., Joshua Tree. Shop hours are Monday–Friday 12–5 PM and Saturday–Sunday 8 AM–5 PM. If you're in town for the film festival or the Art Expo weekend, come by for a souvenir, a sticker for the water bottle, or a warm layer for a cold desert night. Everything in the shop is also at jttradingpost.com.

FAQ

When is the Yucca Valley Film Festival 2026, and is it free? The festival runs Nov. 4–8, 2026. Nov. 4 and 5 are Joshua Tree Film Office nights at Paradigm Cinemas in Yucca Valley, with tickets free with a donation. Nov. 6–8 at the Yucca Valley Community Center is free admission. The festival asks you to reserve a free spot for Friday's opening night.

When is the Joshua Tree National Park Art Exposition? The juried show runs Nov. 6–29, 2026 at the 29 Palms Art Gallery, 74055 Cottonwood Dr., Twentynine Palms, open Friday–Sunday 11 AM–3 PM. Opening weekend, Nov. 7–8, adds an art market, live music and a Saturday awards reception (4–7 PM). Admission is free.

When is the 2026 Weed Show in Twentynine Palms? The 89th Annual Weed Show is Saturday, Nov. 7 (noon–4 PM) and Sunday, Nov. 8 (10 AM–4 PM) at the Old Schoolhouse Museum, 6760 National Park Dr. It's free to attend.

Where can I go stargazing near Joshua Tree this weekend? On Saturday, Nov. 7, the San Bernardino Valley Amateur Astronomers hold a star party at Pioneertown Mountains Preserve (4–9 PM; visitors welcome). Sky's The Limit in Twentynine Palms runs its New Moon Night Sky Program (5:30–7:30 PM, $25 per vehicle, reservations required). The moon doesn't rise until early morning, so skies are dark after sunset.

What's the weather in Joshua Tree this week? NWS forecasts sunny highs of 68–72°F in Joshua Tree from Monday through Saturday, with lows in the low 50s. North winds pick up Friday night into Saturday, and gusts could reach about 30 mph in Twentynine Palms.

Sources

Checked the morning of Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026 PT:

• Pappy & Harriet's See Tickets event pages (Southern Culture on the Skids, Big Freedia, Inner Wave, Keller Williams, Paul Cauthen, Holy Wave, The California Honeydrops, Tuba Skinny, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Nick Shoulders)
• Yucca Valley Film Festival detailed program and after party announcement
• JTNP Council for the Arts: Joshua Tree National Park Art Exposition (including the Weed Show hours)
• Humanitix: Desert Discovery Day and Paleontology of Joshua Tree Field Experience
• Leave No Trace: Joshua Tree National Park Spotlight
• Big Morongo Canyon Preserve events
• High Desert Test Sites: A-Z West tour
• Eventbrite organizer pages: Desert Groove Day Party and An Evening with Murray Hill
• San Bernardino Valley Amateur Astronomers: November Star Party
• Sky's The Limit Eventzilla pages: New Moon Night Sky Program and Europa Clipper
• Vacation Races: Joshua Tree Half Marathon
• Hi-Desert Artists classes and events
• Compound YV 2026–27 exhibition season and BoxoPROJECTS
• Z Club event pages (Sidewinder, Doug MacDonald and Friends) and Red Dog Saloon: Los Poncho Tones
• Twentynine Palms Book Festival agenda
• Visit 29 Palms events (Farmers Market)
• Pioneertown Gazette (Jake Reiland exhibition, Paws for Art)
• National Park Service fee-free days
• Joshua Tree National Park alerts and conditions
• National Weather Service forecasts for Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms
• U.S. Naval Observatory sun and moon data for Joshua Tree

Hi-Desert Field Desk is JT Trading Post's events and guides desk in Joshua Tree. We check every date, price, and closure against official sources the morning we publish.