Sunnylands Center & Gardens is home to the first in a series of new, outdoor art commissions that will be presented as part of the fifth edition of Desert X in the Coachella Valley from March 8 to May 11, 2025.

The piece at Sunnylands, a monumental step pyramid planted with rows of vegetation native to the region, is titled, The Living Pyramid.  Its creator, Agnes Denes, is a leading figure among the concept-based artists who emerged to international attention in the 1960s and 1970s. She was born in Budapest in 1931 and has lived in New York since the 1950s.

While the Desert X art biennial opens in March, The Living Pyramid is currently available for viewing by the public during Sunnylands’ operating hours, 8:30 am to 4 pm, Wednesday through Sunday.  Parking and admission are free.

The structure and appearance of the pyramid at Sunnylands is expected to change in accordance with the slow growth cycles of the desert. Over the course of six months, the plants it carries will sprout and bloom, some will go to seed, some will die.

“The Living Pyramid is the most iconic and recurring expression of the pioneer of environmental art Agnes Denes’ commitment to the creation of works that speak in equal parts to the ancient structures of architecture and knowledge that shape our world view, and the endless cycles of life and death that are the transformative powers of nature,” Neville Wakefield, Desert X’s artistic director, said in a statement.

The Living Pyramid was originally commissioned in 2015 by Socrates Sculpture Park in New York City. The work has subsequently been displayed at documenta 14, Kassel (2017); the Sakip Sabanci Museum, Istanbul (2022); the Hayward Gallery, London (2023) and will be exhibited at MUDAM (Museum of Modern Art) Luxembourg in 2025.

Denes’s intention is for the work to be displayed at locations throughout the world and to feature indigenous plants in each location.

“This new work of The Living Pyramid is planted material, yet a new meaning,” Denes said. “Transformed into blossoms, the pyramid renews itself as evolution does to our species. The rigid angle becomes an arc to reach above, to reach what it wishes to reach. It is not just planting, but planting the paradox, a structured edifice of soil and grain, not on a farm or field, but in the heart of a busy mega-city or various parts of our world. It is planting the seed into soil  and human minds.”

Sunnylands Center & Gardens is a cultural partner of Desert X. In addition to hosting Denes’s The Living Pyramid for Desert X 2025, it has provided space for Desert X works and performances by women artists from around the world since 2017, including Lita Albuquerque, Iman Issa, Ghada Amer, and Paloma Contreras Lomas.

Our free Films in the Gardens series returns in September featuring a trio of spooky films with teen protagonists.

Films in the Gardens runs for three consecutive Friday evenings in September. This series begins with a screening of Labyrinth (1986) on September 13 at 7:30 pm.

• September 13 at 7:30 pm – Labyrinth (1986) – Sixteen-year-old Sarah must solve a labyrinth to rescue her baby brother when he is taken by the Goblin King (IMDb). Rated: PG. Run time: 1 hour 41 minutes.
• September 20 at 7:30 pm – Monster House (2006) – Three teens discover that their neighbor’s house is really a living, breathing, scary monster (IMDb). Rated: PG. Run time: 1 hour 31 minutes.
• September 27 at 7:30 pm – ParaNorman (2012) – A misunderstood boy takes on ghosts, zombies and grown-ups to save his town from a centuries-old curse (IMDb). Rated: PG. Run time: 1 hour 32 minutes.

Gates open at 6 pm. Film begins at 7:30 pm. Admission is free. Reservations are not required. Carpooling is strongly encouraged. Please note, parking at the gate or along Bob Hope Drive will not be permitted.

No seating is provided. Filmgoers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and small picnics. Large coolers, alcohol, smoking, and pets are not permitted.

This season, the café will be open for Films in the Gardens. An assortment of prepackaged popcorn, snacks, candy, and beverages will be available for purchase. Open from 6 pm to 8:30 pm.

Films in the Gardens is presented in partnership with the Palm Springs International Film Festival.

Parking and admission are free.

Sunnylands Center & Gardens
37977 Bob Hope Drive
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270

Program changes may require the cancellation or rescheduling of some events. Outdoor programs may be canceled or modified due to weather conditions, including rain, lightning, or strong winds.

For information, please call 760-202-2254 or email education@sunnylands.org.

Sunnylands will celebrate World Tai Chi and Qigong Day on Saturday April 27, from 10 to 11 am. Since its beginning in 1999, this annual event promotes the related martial art disciplines of tai chi and qigong. Hundreds of cities in up to 80 countries take part to foster a greater understanding of these art forms. Please join us and share the healing benefits that the practice of tai chi and qigong can bring us. Our regular tai chi group instruction experience will begin at approximately 10:30 am.

Tai Chi in the Gardens is an opportunity to experience a traditional teaching of the Yang Family 108 Long Form. Participants learn the beginning positions of the form rooted in tai chi philosophy and principles. No previous experience with tai chi is required.

Tai chi is offered on Saturdays at 10 am, November through April. These free 60-minute sessions are open to all ages and experience levels. Participants should dress comfortably. Sun protection and water are suggested. Reservations not required. Parking and admission are free.

Sunnylands Center & Gardens
37977 Bob Hope Drive
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270

Program changes may require the cancellation or rescheduling of some events. Outdoor programs may be canceled or modified due to weather conditions, including rain, lightning, or strong winds.

For information, please call 760-202-2254 or email education@sunnylands.org.

Tai Chi in the Gardens is an opportunity to experience a traditional teaching of the Yang Family 108 Long Form. Participants learn the beginning positions of the form rooted in tai chi philosophy and principles. No previous experience with tai chi is required.

Tai chi is offered on Saturdays at 10 am, November* through April. These free 60-minute sessions are open to all ages and experience levels. Participants should dress comfortably. Sun protection and water are suggested. Reservations not required. Parking and admission are free.

Sunnylands Center & Gardens
37977 Bob Hope Drive
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270

Program changes may require the cancellation or rescheduling of some events. Outdoor programs may be canceled or modified due to weather conditions, including rain, lightning, or strong winds.

For information, please call 760-202-2254 or email education@sunnylands.org.

Please note, the December 22 bird walk is canceled, due to inclement weather. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Led by a knowledgeable birder, this free 60-minute guided walk introduces guests to many local and migratory bird species in the Sunnylands gardens.

Birding walks are offered Fridays at 8:45 am, through December 2023. Please note, beginning January 2024, bird walks are being moved to Thursdays at 8:45 am, through May.

Reservations not required. Parking and admission are free.

Water, sun protection, binoculars, and comfortable closed-toed shoes are recommended.

The walking paths are either paved or made of firmly-packed decomposed granite, and are wheelchair accessible.

For an annotated list of birds at Sunnylands, click here.

Sunnylands Center & Gardens
37977 Bob Hope Drive
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270

Program changes may require the cancellation or rescheduling of some events. Outdoor programs may be canceled or modified due to weather conditions, including rain, lightning, or strong winds.

For information, please call 760-202-2254 or email education@sunnylands.org.

Please note, the December 22 session of yoga is canceled, due to inclement weather. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Yoga in the Gardens is an opportunity to experience poses ranging from beginner to intermediate. Yoga is offered Fridays at 10 am, November through April. These free 60-minute sessions are open to all age and experience levels.

This season, Sunnylands Yoga welcomes back instructors Kristin Olson and Stefane Barbeau. Schedule is subject to change. Instructor schedule here. Please call 760.202.2222.

Participants should bring yoga mats and dress comfortably. Sun protection and water are suggested. Sessions are free. Reservations are not required. Parking and admission are free.

Sunnylands Center & Gardens
37977 Bob Hope Drive
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270

Program changes may require the cancellation or rescheduling of some events. Outdoor programs may be canceled or modified due to weather conditions, including rain, lightning, or strong winds.

For information, please call 760-202-2254 or email education@sunnylands.org.

Led by a knowledgeable birder, this free 60-minute guided walk introduces guests to many local and migratory bird species in the Sunnylands gardens.

Birding walks are offered Thursdays at 8:45 am, November through May. Reservations not required. Parking and admission are free.

Water, sun protection, binoculars, and comfortable closed-toed shoes are recommended.

The walking paths are either paved or made of firmly-packed decomposed granite, and are wheelchair accessible.

Please meet just outside the front entrance to the Sunnylands Center.

For an annotated list of birds at Sunnylands, click here.

Sunnylands Center & Gardens
37977 Bob Hope Drive
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270

Program changes may require the cancellation or rescheduling of some events. Outdoor programs may be canceled or modified due to weather conditions, including rain, lightning, or strong winds.

For information, please call 760-202-2254 or email education@sunnylands.org.

In partnership with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, Sunnylands Center & Gardens will host a naturalization ceremony at 10 am on Wednesday, December 13.

The public is invited to watch as approximately 50 citizenship candidates recite the Oath of Allegiance to the United States in an hour-long ceremony in the west gardens.

Naturalization ceremonies are often staged at notable locations to celebrate the culmination of an immigrant’s journey to citizenship.

Sunnylands Center & Gardens is open Wednesday through Sunday, 8:30 am to 4 pm. Parking and admission are free. Reservations to this event are not required.

Sunnylands Center & Gardens
37977 Bob Hope Drive
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270

Program changes may require the cancellation or rescheduling of some events. Outdoor programs may be canceled or modified due to weather conditions, including rain, lightning, or strong winds.

Please note, this week’s bird walk has been canceled. Wellness programs will resume the following week. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Led by a knowledgeable birder, this free 60-minute guided walk introduces guests to many local and migratory bird species in the Sunnylands gardens.

Birding walks are offered Fridays at 8:45 am, November through May. Reservations not required. Parking and admission are free.

Water, sun protection, binoculars, and comfortable closed-toed shoes are recommended.

The walking paths are either paved or made of firmly-packed decomposed granite, and are wheelchair accessible.

For an annotated list of birds at Sunnylands, click here.

Sunnylands Center & Gardens
37977 Bob Hope Drive
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270

Program changes may require the cancellation or rescheduling of some events. Outdoor programs may be canceled or modified due to weather conditions, including rain, lightning, or strong winds.

For information, please call 760-202-2254 or email education@sunnylands.org.

Please note, this week’s tai chi session has been canceled. Wellness programs will resume the following week. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Tai Chi in the Gardens is an opportunity to experience a traditional teaching of the Yang Family 108 Long Form. Participants learn the beginning positions of the form rooted in tai chi philosophy and principles. No previous experience with tai chi is required.

Tai chi is offered on Saturdays at 10 am, November* through April. These free 60-minute sessions are open to all ages and experience levels. Participants should dress comfortably. Sun protection and water are suggested. Reservations not required. Parking and admission are free.

*Please note: The December 16 session will not occur due to a staff appreciation event. 

Sunnylands Center & Gardens
37977 Bob Hope Drive
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270

Program changes may require the cancellation or rescheduling of some events. Outdoor programs may be canceled or modified due to weather conditions, including rain, lightning, or strong winds.

For information, please call 760-202-2254 or email education@sunnylands.org.