We hit the ground running in the new year with two Family Day events, estate tours, wellness activities, workshops, and more.
On Saturday, January 31, students from Cathedral City High School’s CAS (Creativity, Activity, and Service) program are curating a free event, Arts in Asia, in the Sunnylands gardens. Guests of all ages are invited to celebrate arts and traditions of various Asian cultures with hands-on activities including origami, shadow puppets, fan painting, and much more. Details below.
Just a couple of weeks later, we will host Family Day: Curating Canopies on Sunday, February 15. Themed after the new exhibition, Curating Canopy: Trees at Sunnylands, this free public event features various interactive activities aimed at exploring nature.
Try something new this year, like one of our expert-led wellness activities. We offer bird walks on Thursdays, yoga on Fridays, and tai chi on Saturdays. Please refer to our events calendar for a full list of dates and times. These activities are always free, and guests of all age and experience levels are welcome to join.
We have a variety of workshops to browse below. Costs vary and space is limited so be sure to secure your spot quickly.
February tour tickets will be available for purchase beginning Thursday, January 15, at 9 a.m. Pacific Time.
Looking ahead, our popular Music in the Gardens program will be returning in March with a live performance from a different band every Sunday of the month. Details to come.
The Center & Gardens is open Wednesday through Sunday, 8:30 am to 4 pm, with free parking and admission.
See you around!
February tour tickets available Jan. 15 at 9 a.m.
The 90-minute Historic House Tour takes guests inside the Annenberg home, highlighting the architecture, décor, and hospitality enjoyed by cultural icons for decades. Guided outdoor tours, such as the Open-Air Experience and the Historic Walk, also share the Sunnylands story while featuring the home’s midcentury modern architecture and stunning views of the golf course and grounds.
New exhibition—Curating Canopy: Trees at Sunnylands
The serenity of Sunnylands originates in large part from the careful selection of trees that founders Walter and Leonore Annenberg chose in the mid-1960s, transforming 200 acres of bare desert into a verdant oasis. Through beautiful imagery by photographer David Loftus, this new exhibition invites guests to view trees not just as landscape features but as art, each tree with its own sculptural form and seasonal expression.
Thursdays: Free guided Bird Walks
Offered most Thursdays at 8:45 am, November through May, guided Bird Walks are an opportunity to discover various local and migratory bird species in the Sunnylands gardens. These free, 60-minute walks are open to all ages and experience levels. No reservations needed. Sun protection, water, and binoculars are suggested. Meet outside the Center entrance.
Fridays: Yoga in the Gardens
Offered most Fridays at 10 am, November through April, Yoga in the Gardens is an opportunity to practice poses ranging from beginner to intermediate. These free, 60-minute sessions are open to all ages and experience levels. Free parking and attendance. No reservations needed. Sun protection and water are suggested.
Saturdays: Tai Chi in the Gardens
Offered most Saturdays at 10 am, November through April, Tai Chi in the Gardens is an opportunity to practice the beginning positions of the Yang Family 108 Long Form. These free, 60-minute sessions are open to all ages and experience levels. No reservations needed. Sun protection and water are suggested.
Sundays at Sunnylands
Offered most Sundays from 9 am to 2:30 pm, November through April, toys and activities, including large building blocks, hula hoops, ribbons, butterfly wings, and more, are available on the lawn for children to enjoy. Tote bags, with blankets, small toys, and activity books, can be borrowed from the reception desk. No reservations needed. Sun protection and water are suggested.
Celebrate Asian cultures at a student-led Family Day
Join us for a special student-led Family Day on Saturday, January 31. Students from Cathedral City High School will be educating the public about some of the diverse countries and cultures across Asia, such as origami from Japan, Korean calligraphy, Persian carpet weaving, and more. Free parking and attendance. No reservations needed.
Disaster Preparedness Day: Wednesday, Feb. 11
Join the Coachella Valley Disaster Preparedness Network at Sunnylands on Wednesday, February 11, for free resources, information, and demonstrations designed to help the public respond to natural disasters and protect lives and property. Free parking and attendance. No reservations needed.
New wellness series: Movement & Mindfulness
Designed for adults, but open to all, this new series focuses on graceful, low-impact movement that nurtures mobility, balance, and a deeper connection to the body. It is a gentle, yet inspiring movement class set in the serene Sunnylands gardens. These 60-minute guided sessions are free and open to the public to join. No registration or reservations needed.
Art workshop: Sunprinting at Sunnylands
Discover solar-powered blueprint creation with instructor Rose Cefalu. Participants will learn the process of decorating light-sensitive watercolor paper and using sunlight to develop the image. Each participant will leave with 4 to 8 finished cyanotype prints. Open to any skill level. For registered participants only. Limited spaces available. All art supplies are included.
Floral Workshop: My Valentine
Palm Springs Flower School and Studio Kate Floral are hosting a Valentine’s Day-themed workshop at Sunnylands. Create a stunning rose arrangement with a vibrant variety of fresh roses in a custom vase. Open to any skill level. For registered participants only. Limited spaces available. All art supplies are included.
Family Day: Curating Canopies
The public is invited to the Sunnylands gardens for a Family Day event celebrating the exhibition, Curating Canopy: Trees at Sunnylands, on Sunday, February 15, 9:00 am to 2:00 p.m. Guests will have opportunities to explore their creativity through nature and the trees found on the Sunnylands estate. Parking and admission are free. No reservations needed.
Modernism Week lecture: Rooted in Time
Center & Gardens Director Michaeleen Gallagher will host a presentation February 21 on the balance between historic legacy and sustainability at the Annenberg estate, and the importance of making critical choices about preservation, adaptation, and the future of living collections. Fee: $21.19 per guest. Registration is required. For ages 13 and up. Please note: This event does not take place at Sunnylands.
Beverages, light lunches, and tasty treats at the café
The Sunnylands café offers an appetizing selection of drinks (coffee, herbal teas, and soft drinks) and lunch options (sandwiches, wraps, and salads) as well as sweet treats (ice cream, cookies, muffins, and more). Enjoy stunning garden views from the outdoor patio. Click or tap below for the full menu.
Shop in person or online at the Sunnylands Shop
Browse a variety of great gift options for the Sunnylands enthusiast in your life. Stop by during your next Sunnylands visit or shop online. Items include new Sunnylands hats, mugs, postcards, exhibition catalogs, and more. For online purchases, select shipping or free in-person pickup at the Sunnylands Center.
This month's botanical spotlight: Coral Aloe
Coral Aloe is in the shaded garden beds surrounding the lawn in the West Gardens. Blooming annually starting in January and continuing through spring, the flowers are bright red orange with creamy-white tips. Like some other succulents, Coral Aloe will form clones around the base, which can be collected and replanted. Browse the gardens at your own pace or try one of five self-guided audio garden walks.