The year 2016 will certainly go down in history as one of the more memorable. We cheered the Olympic Games for the first time in South America, survived a contentious presidential election and bid a reluctant goodbye to many entertainers who pass before their time. So it's time to say farewell to the past and welcome the future with activities for a New Year's Eve in Palm Springs.

This mecca for retro design shines with the trendiest events and a laid-back attitude. The fair weather encourages Palm Springs events both indoors and out at locations known for their style. If you're looking for creative things to do in Palm Springs to herald the approach of midnight, here are some of our recommendations for the local area.

1. Spa Resort Casino | Palm Springs

Conveniently located downtown at 401 E Amado Rd in Palm Springs, the Spa Resort Casino attracts everybody from sophisticated locals to curious tourists. Fortunately, this outdoor celebration is designed for all and is free to the public. There'll be plenty to do, so get there early. Aside from the headlining countdown, spectacular fireworks, and stimulating multimedia presentation, you can expect such acts as the Village People to take the stage, in this case, at 10:30 PM. Celebrity LA DJ Dense gets you grooving with creative sound stylings on the the dance floor under the stars. Of course, attractions will be set up for kids to enjoy and you'll find plenty to munch on with the food and drink vendors. Scale up your evening for $35 and gain general admission to applaud the headline act. A $75 Premier VIP Pass gets you preferred seats, two complementary cocktails, hors oeuvres, party favors, a commemorative pin, and access to the outdoor VIP Lounge. More info at Phone number (888) 999-1995.

Image: Spa Resort Casino website

2. Ace Hotel & Swim Club | Palm Springs

Easily one of the most out-there Palm Springs activities, Pie Town's Supertemporal Southwestern Sock Hop engages energy from multiple dimensions to enliven a two-day desert ceremony that approaches new heights of extraterrestrial ecstasy. Just check out the guest list: Mel Shinkovitz, Spaceland, Autre Magazines, poodles wearing skirts, greaser cult-leader wannabees and doo-wop transformations into electro-pop. Crack the anomalous code and get ready for a once-in-a-timeline experience at 701 E. Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs, (760) 325-9900.

3. The Living Desert | Palm Desert

Welcome the wild in your best leopard-print leotards at the Mildly Wild New Year's Eve Part at The Living Desert, 47900 Portola Avenue, Palm Desert, (760) 346-5694. This wild animal park offers unique experience with special animal encounters throughout the evening. You get a surf-and-turf dinner, live entertainment, and dancing until 9 PM when a free champagne toast celebrates midnight on the East Coast. Encouraging the savage sophistication is a special performance by Dave Damiani and the No Vacancy Orchestra, which specializes in the swing styles of Count Basie Jamie Cullum, Frank Sinatra and others. All of this costs $125, which includes one free drink ticket aside from the toast.

Image: Living Desert website

4. Renaissance Indian Wells Resort & Spa | Indian Wells

If tasteful sophistication is at the top of your Palm Springs events list, then the bespoke New York New Year's Eve Dinner Dance and Celebration invites you to the Crystal Ballroom at the Renaissance Indian Wells Resort and Spa. This upscale gathering starts off with a cocktail reception, followed by a gourmet three-course dinner. It then continues with a celebratory toast to the New York Times Square ball drop, which you watch live. You can keep dancing until 11 PM at 44400 Indian Wells Ln, Indian Wells, (760) 773-4444.

5. RetroRoom Lounge | Palm Springs

The top-class New Year's Eve party at the RetroRoom, 125 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, #102, Palm Springs, (760) 656-8680, has no cover charge, but is hosted by Pinkie Meringue Shimmer and toasts the midnight hour with champagne. Enjoy performances by Diva, Princess Jacqueline, Anita Rose, Melissa Stratman, and more, as you join in the festivities in an intimate Rat-Pack-inspired atmosphere with dancing, costumes, party favors, and headdresses. If you can't stay out that late, Charles Herrera can entertain you from 7 to 10 PM.

6. Fantasy Springs Resort Casino | Indio

Go from celebration to celebration at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio. (760) 342-5000, starting with the LIT Ultra Lounge, which starts off at 9 PM with the Dax Band, followed at 11 PM by Kalimba. At the 12th Floor cocktail Lounge and Wine Bar, Slim Man croons to American standards. Festivities at these rooms go from 9 PM to 1:30 AM. Don't forget the individual celebrations at the gaming floor, restaurants, and bowling alley. 

7. Hard Rock Hotel | Palm Springs

Conceal your face as you let loose at BB's Annual New Year's Eve Masquerade Party. For only $25 general admission, you get three floors and six stages of entertainment with 12 DJs, two bands, and 25-plus bars at the Hard Rock Hotel, 150 S. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, (760) 880-1059. If you'd rather show off your visage, masks are entirely optional. From 8:30 PM to 2 AM, multiple bands and DJs will delight with multiple styles of music, including a special performance by Shawn Don, an MTV/ABC recording artist. This promises to be one of the more eclectic New Year's Eve in Palm Springs, although expect the usual party favors and video screen entertainment at midnight.

Image: Coachella Valley Weekly

8. Michael Holmes' Purple Room | Palm Springs

Strike hunger from your Palm Springs activities this New Year with the Prix Fixe Dinner at Michael Holmes' Purple Room, 1900 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs. (760) 322-4422. For $125, you get food, wine, unlimited champagne, and party favor. Diva Sharon Sills welcomes 2017 with a night of song.
If you can't stay out that late, two other Sinatra-style supper-club live performances are available. At 5:30 PM, Rose Mallet kicks things off with a $60 dinner set to jazz stylings. Then at 7:30 PM, Charles Herrera commands the $90 repast with a cabaret-style concerto. Be sure to reserve early because all three events will sell out quickly.

9. Saguaro | Palm Springs

Mix in comedy, show tunes, and dancing, and you come up with Drag Me to 2017 at the Saguaro, 1800 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs. (760) 323-1711. The $35 cover gets you a complimentary buffet with appetizers, drinks specials, a special guest DJ, and a show hosted by Miss Rusty Waters, guest starring Jayla D. Foxx and Adrienne Alexander. Naturally, midnight brings in a free toast.

Image: Saguaro website

10. Agua Caliente Casino | Rancho Mirage

You'll be swinging, swaying, and tapping your feet as soon as Grammy Award-wining band, Huey Lewis and The News, takes the stage at Caliente Resort Casino Spa Resort, 32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage, (760) 321-2000. They'll bring back the “Heart of Rock and Roll” this New Year with such hits as “Workin' For a Livin',” “The Power of Love,” “This Is It,” and “Back in Time.” This easily one of the most rockin' things to do in Palm Springs.

11. Melvyn's Restaurant at The Ingleside Inn | Palm Spring

Hollywood glam is alive and well at Melvyn's Restaurant and Steakhouse, 200 W. Ramon Road, Palm Springs, (760) 325-2323. For New Year's Eve, this intimate and sophisticated venue offers a special menu for early diners and later four-course prix-fixe prepaid menu for a gala that includes party favors and champagne. Be sure to dress to impress whether you choose the early or “toot you horn” time slot.

12. The Tropicale Restaurant/The Copa | Palm Springs

When an energetic evening is what you want for New Year's, head for The Tropicale Restaurant, which serves up a delicious $110 three-course prix-fixe menu featuring such favorites as Duck Liver Pate on Rye Toast, Grilled Bone-In Prime Rib Eye Steak Florentine, and White Chocolate Pistachio Meringue. When you're ready to dance the night away, go to The Copa next door and enjoy live DJs all night. All this fun is at The Tropicale, 330 E. Amado Road, Palm Springs, (760) 866-1952.

13. Vicky's of Santa Fe | Indian Wells

You get three festive options for midnight fun at Vicky’s of Santa Fe, 45-100 Club Drive, Indian Wells, (760) 345-9770. Sip some quiet cocktails at the bar from 4:30 PM to 12:30 AM. Go for the Macadamia Crusted Chilean Sea Bass with a Thai coconut sauce in the Dining Room from 5 PM to 10 PM, which requires reservations. Or In The Music Lounge from 6:30 PM to 12:30 AM, dance to The John Stanley King Show, which mixes R&B Classics, originals, Sinatra, and the Beatles, with champagne and party favors for $25.

14. Wally's Desert Turtle | Rancho Mirage

If you want your celebration to be a family-friendly affair, then head for the New Year's Eve Gala at Wally’s Desert Turtle, 71775 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, (760) 568-9321. As one of the most awarded restaurant in the Coachella Valley, this venue starts the festivities with a six-course feast developed by Executive Chef Pascal Lallemand. It then continues with dancing under soft lights to music provided by the six-piece band of The Bolivar Brothers. Come midnight, a champagne toast highlights streamers, balloons, and party favors.