Restaurants Open Christmas Day Palm Springs: 2026 Guide

Several restaurants are open on Christmas Day in Palm Springs, California, ranging from three-course prix-fixe dinners at downtown fine dining rooms to casual resort cafes and all-you-can-eat steakhouses. In 2026, confirmed options include Spencer's Restaurant, Alice B., Zin American Bistro, 4 Saints at Kimpton Rowan, Peaks Restaurant at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, Churrasco Brazilian Steakhouse, and Escena Lounge and Grill, among others. Most require advance reservations, especially for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day seatings.

• Spencer's Restaurant serves a three-course holiday menu on Christmas Day from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., priced at roughly $90 to $100 per person.

• 4 Saints at Kimpton Rowan offers a four-course prix fixe from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at around $145 per person.

• Peaks Restaurant at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway serves a Christmas prix fixe starting at 11:00 a.m.: $89 for adults, $39 for children ages 3 to 10 (tram fare is additional).

• Alice B. is open for Christmas Day dinner from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with limited seatings and reservations strongly recommended.

• OpenTable lists roughly 29 to 35 restaurants open for Christmas Day in the Palm Springs and Palm Desert metro area, filterable by time, cuisine, and price.

• Restaurants in nearby Rancho Mirage, La Quinta, and Indian Wells expand your options considerably beyond Palm Springs proper.

What's Open on Christmas Day in Palm Springs?

Christmas Day dining in Palm Springs is more plentiful than most visitors expect. The city's resort-driven dining scene keeps a solid mix of fine dining rooms, hotel restaurants, and casual eateries operating on December 25. Specifically, the options split into three tiers: upscale prix-fixe experiences, mid-range resort and lounge dining, and a handful of national chains for anyone who just needs a reliable meal without a dress code.

For the full holiday dining picture, Visit Palm Springs publishes an annual Palm Springs Holidays Dining Guide each November with verified hours and menus. The Holiday Dining in Greater Palm Springs guide from Visit Greater Palm Springs extends that list into Rancho Mirage, La Quinta, and Indian Wells, which is worth bookmarking if your first-choice restaurant is fully booked.

On Christmas Day itself, the most reliable approach is to confirm directly with each restaurant by phone or via their website in the week before December 25. Even restaurants listed in regional guides occasionally adjust their hours or close unexpectedly during the holiday week. That caveat aside, here is a detailed breakdown of what to expect at each major option.

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Spencer's Restaurant

Spencer's Restaurant is one of the most reliable Christmas Day anchors in Palm Springs, offering a festive three-course holiday menu on both Christmas Eve (5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.) and Christmas Day (11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.). The price runs roughly $90 to $100 per person. Spencer's is set inside the historic Palm Springs Tennis Club, which gives it a mid-century modern courtyard atmosphere that genuinely earns the holiday ambiance rather than manufacturing it. The extended Christmas Day window, from midday through the evening, makes it one of the more flexible options for groups arriving at different times.

Alice B.

Alice B.'s Christmas Day menu runs from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with Christmas Eve service from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The restaurant is a mid-town Palm Springs favorite known for its wood-fired cooking and rotating seasonal ingredients. Seatings are limited. If you plan to dine here on December 25, book as early as possible since tables fill weeks in advance.

4 Saints at Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs

4 Saints, located on the rooftop of the Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel, serves a four-course prix fixe on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The menu price runs approximately $145 per person. The rooftop setting provides panoramic views of the San Jacinto Mountains, which makes it one of the more visually dramatic holiday dinner settings in Palm Springs. Cancellation and deposit policies are stricter here than at most restaurants, so read the fine print when booking.

Zin American Bistro

Zin American Bistro serves a three-course prix-fixe Christmas dinner from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on December 25. The restaurant's California-American menu and reasonable price point relative to the high-end options above make it a strong value pick for couples and small groups who want a proper sit-down holiday meal without a four-figure tab for a table of four.

Churrasco Brazilian Steakhouse

Churrasco Brazilian Steakhouse at 450 South Palm Canyon Drive runs a full Rodizio Christmas Day dinner from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., featuring 17 all-you-can-eat cuts of meat plus a gourmet buffet. For groups with big appetites and minimal interest in a prix-fixe format, this is the most distinctive non-traditional option on the list. The all-inclusive format also makes budgeting straightforward.

Escena Lounge and Grill

Escena Lounge and Grill at 1100 Clubhouse View Drive is open on Christmas Day from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., offering California-style fare with mountain views. It is the only confirmed option on this list for a Christmas morning or midday meal rather than dinner. If your group wants a late breakfast or an early lunch before the main holiday meal later in the evening, Escena is the practical answer.

Melvyn's Restaurant at The Ingleside Inn

Melvyn's Restaurant, located at 200 West Ramon Road inside The Ingleside Inn, is one of Palm Springs' most storied dining rooms, operating since the 1970s and consistently listed among the holiday dining options in the area. The restaurant's wood-paneled interior, piano lounge, and old-Hollywood history give it an atmosphere no newly opened spot can replicate. Verify current Christmas Day hours directly, as the holiday schedule can vary year to year.

How Much Does Christmas Day Dining Cost in Palm Springs?

Christmas Day prix-fixe menus at Palm Springs restaurants typically range from $62 to $145 per person in 2026, with the most expensive options including wine pairings or rooftop views. Budget accordingly and factor in mandatory gratuity, which many restaurants add automatically to holiday-menu tables.

Restaurant	Price Per Person	Christmas Day Hours	Format
Spencer's Restaurant	~$90 to $100	11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.	3-course prix fixe
4 Saints, Kimpton Rowan	~$145+	5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.	4-course prix fixe
Peaks Restaurant (Tramway)	$89 adults / $39 ages 3-10	From 11:00 a.m.	Prix fixe (tram fare extra)
Alice B.	Varies by menu	4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.	Set holiday menu
Zin American Bistro	Varies	2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.	3-course prix fixe
Churrasco Brazilian Steakhouse	All-inclusive Rodizio	5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.	All-you-can-eat Rodizio
The Pink Cabana, Indian Wells	$120 (or $160 with wine)	From 4:15 p.m.	Prix fixe
Wally's Desert Turtle, Rancho Mirage	Preset menu, varies	From 1:00 p.m.	Preset Christmas menu
Grand Central Palm Springs	$62 adults / $27 under 10	Christmas Eve and Day	Holiday menu
Escena Lounge and Grill	Regular menu pricing	7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.	Regular menu (a la carte)

One practical note on cancellation fees: Wally's Desert Turtle imposes a $15 per-person cancellation fee unless you give at least 48 hours' notice. Several other high-end holiday menus use deposit systems that follow similar rules. When booking any Christmas Day table in Palm Springs, read the cancellation policy carefully. Holiday-week no-shows are the reason these policies exist, and they are enforced.

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Is the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Worth It for Christmas Day Dining?

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway offers two distinct Christmas Day dining experiences: Peaks Restaurant at the top of the tram (elevation 8,516 feet) and Pines Cafe at the Valley Station below. Both operate on December 25, making the Tramway one of the few venues in the region where you can combine a genuine outdoor experience with a holiday meal.

Peaks Restaurant serves a Christmas Day prix-fixe starting at 11:00 a.m. The adult price is $89; children ages 3 to 10 pay $39. Tram admission is additional and not included in the meal price. The official Palm Springs Aerial Tramway holiday dining PDF details both menus and Ride 'n' Dine ticket combinations, which bundle tram admission with a meal at Pines Cafe for those who prefer the lower-altitude option.

The honest caveat: the Tramway is spectacular, but Christmas Day brings significant crowds. The Ride 'n' Dine window runs from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and the earlier you arrive, the shorter your wait for the tram cars. Plan to be at the Valley Station by 9:00 a.m. if you want a morning ride without a 45-minute queue. Parking at Saul Friedman Park is the easiest option; a shuttle runs to the Valley Station from there. Purchase Tramway tickets in advance online rather than waiting to buy at the gate on December 25.

The Peaks Restaurant experience is genuinely memorable: snow is common at 8,500 feet in December, even when it is 65 degrees in the valley below. Families who want a multi-experience Christmas Day, tram ride plus holiday meal plus snow, will find this combination hard to replicate anywhere else in the desert. For couples or groups who simply want excellent food and no queuing, the downtown prix-fixe options are more efficient.

Is Christmas a Good Time to Visit Palm Springs?

Christmas is an excellent time to visit Palm Springs. December temperatures in the Coachella Valley typically range from daytime highs in the low to mid-60s Fahrenheit to overnight lows in the upper 30s to low 40s. This is genuinely ideal weather for walking downtown, sitting on a heated pool patio, and enjoying outdoor dining without the triple-digit heat that defines the summer months.

According to the Visit Greater Palm Springs regional data, Greater Palm Springs attracts over 14 million visitors annually, with a growing share of that traffic arriving in the shoulder and holiday seasons as the destination has shifted from a winter-only market to a year-round one. December is firmly in the peak-adjacent season: accommodations book early, and restaurants open on Christmas Day fill their seatings weeks in advance.

For guests staying at The Muse Hotel Palm Springs, the heated courtyard pool makes December evenings genuinely usable rather than theoretical. The San Jacinto Mountains visible from the pool courtyard carry snow on their peaks by mid-December, which produces one of the more visually dramatic desert-winter contrasts you will find in Southern California. Downtown Palm Springs along Palm Canyon Drive is about 2.1 miles from the hotel, a five-minute drive, which means you can book a late Christmas Day dinner and still make it back in time for a nightcap poolside.

One practical note for holiday planning: Palm Springs International Airport handled 3.31 million travelers in 2026, according to airport performance reports. December travel does soften slightly relative to the January-to-April peak, but flights still fill. Book your flights and hotel well before Thanksgiving if you want the best rates and availability for the Christmas window.

Which Restaurants Are Good for Families on Christmas Day?

Family-friendly Christmas Day dining in Palm Springs requires some deliberate selection, since several of the upscale prix-fixe options are designed primarily for adult dining. The best family options are venues with kids' menu pricing, earlier service windows, and a relaxed dress code.

Grand Central Palm Springs stands out as the most accessible family option: the Christmas menu is priced at $62 per adult and $27 for children under 10, which is significantly more affordable than the high-end prix-fixe rooms. Escena Lounge and Grill at Clubhouse View Drive opens at 7:00 a.m. on Christmas Day, making it the only viable option for families with young children who want an early meal and then an afternoon activity like the Tramway or Indian Canyons.

Peaks Restaurant at the Tramway explicitly prices the children's Christmas menu at $39 for ages 3 to 10, and the tram ride itself functions as the main event for kids. The main logistical challenge is the wait. Families with strollers should note that the Tramway cars are accessible but can be crowded on December 25. Arriving before 9:00 a.m. significantly reduces wait time and ensures you catch the mountain in full morning light rather than afternoon haze.

Churrasco Brazilian Steakhouse's Rodizio format works well for families with older children (roughly 10 and up) who eat a lot and enjoy variety. The all-you-can-eat structure removes the prix-fixe pressure and lets kids eat at their own pace. The 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. window also means you can spend the afternoon doing something active and arrive at dinner without having to rush.

For families with infants or toddlers, the most practical move is simply breakfast or brunch at Escena before noon, then a low-key afternoon, rather than attempting a formal evening reservation. Several of the fine dining rooms with prix-fixe menus enforce dress codes or have ambient noise levels that make a two-year-old's presence uncomfortable for other guests and stressful for parents.

What About Restaurants Open Christmas Day in the Broader Coachella Valley?

Christmas Day restaurant options in the Greater Palm Springs region extend well beyond the city of Palm Springs into Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, and La Quinta, roughly 15 to 25 minutes east along Highway 111. For travelers willing to drive, this broader area adds several significant options.

Wally's Desert Turtle at 71-775 Highway 111 in Rancho Mirage is one of the Coachella Valley's most established special-occasion restaurants. The Christmas Day preset menu begins at 1:00 p.m., with half portions available for children. The $15-per-person cancellation fee applies unless you give at least 48 hours' notice, so this is one table where confirming your reservation matters.

The Pink Cabana inside the Sands Hotel and Spa at 44985 Province Way in Indian Wells serves a Christmas Day dinner prix fixe at $120 per person, or $160 with wine pairings, with seatings beginning at 4:15 p.m. The Pink Cabana's design-forward interior and cocktail program make it a strong pick for groups who want the aesthetic of a boutique hotel restaurant experience paired with a proper holiday menu.

The La Quinta Resort and Club and the Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa both operate multiple restaurants, and at least one dining room at each property typically remains open on Christmas Day. Hours and specific restaurant availability vary, so a direct call to each resort is the most reliable way to confirm what is operating on December 25.

For a consolidated view of all available tables across Palm Springs and the wider Palm Desert corridor, OpenTable's Christmas Day listings for Palm Springs and Palm Desert typically show 29 to 35 restaurants with real-time availability filters by time block, cuisine, and party size. This is the fastest single tool for checking what still has openings if you are planning late.

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How to Navigate Christmas Day Reservations in Palm Springs

Booking Christmas Day dinner in Palm Springs requires advance planning, ideally by early December. The most popular seatings at Alice B., 4 Saints, and Spencer's Restaurant fill up within days of opening their holiday reservation windows. If you are traveling during the holiday week and have not yet secured a table, here is a practical sequence to follow.

1. Check OpenTable first. OpenTable's Palm Springs Christmas Day page shows real-time availability across 30-plus restaurants in the metro area. Filter by time of day and party size to see what is realistically still bookable.

2. Call restaurants directly for holiday-week cancellations. Tables open up as cancellation deadlines pass, typically 48 to 72 hours before the reservation date. Calling on December 22 or 23 frequently turns up options that are not visible on booking platforms yet.

3. Read the cancellation policy before you book. Several holiday menus require a credit card hold or a per-person deposit. Wally's Desert Turtle charges $15 per person for cancellations under 48 hours. Know what you are agreeing to before you confirm.

4. Consider Rancho Mirage and Indian Wells if Palm Springs proper is fully booked. The Pink Cabana and Wally's Desert Turtle both have more capacity and tend to book slightly less frenetically than the most buzzed-about Palm Springs spots.

5. For Tramway dining, buy tickets online in advance. Walk-up Christmas Day tram tickets are available, but the wait is unpredictable. Purchasing Ride 'n' Dine tickets through the official Tramway ticketing page ahead of time removes the biggest logistical variable from the day.

6. Have a backup plan. National chain restaurants, including Outback Steakhouse and Applebee's locations in the greater Palm Springs area, are typically open on Christmas Day. They are not the most memorable holiday meal, but they are reliable if everything else falls through. Call the specific location to confirm hours for December 25.

One detail most guides miss entirely: valet parking is often the only available option at resort and hotel restaurants on Christmas Day, and it frequently runs $15 to $25 with validation. Factor that into your per-person cost estimate, especially for groups. Street parking along South Palm Canyon Drive is limited on December 25, and the lots near The River at Rancho Mirage fill quickly on holiday evenings.

Frequently Asked Questions: Christmas Day Dining in Palm Springs

What restaurants are open on Christmas Day in Palm Springs?

Confirmed restaurants open on Christmas Day in Palm Springs include Spencer's Restaurant (11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.), Alice B. (4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.), 4 Saints at Kimpton Rowan (5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.), Zin American Bistro (2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.), Churrasco Brazilian Steakhouse (5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.), Escena Lounge and Grill (7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.), and Peaks Restaurant at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway (from 11:00 a.m.). Melvyn's Restaurant at The Ingleside Inn is also frequently listed in regional holiday dining guides. Always confirm directly with each restaurant in the week before December 25, as hours can change.

Do Palm Springs restaurants require reservations on Christmas Day?

Yes. Almost every restaurant serving a Christmas Day prix-fixe or holiday menu in Palm Springs requires advance reservations, and the most popular tables book out weeks in advance. Alice B., 4 Saints, and Spencer's Restaurant are among the most competitive for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day seatings. Book as early as possible, ideally in the first week of December, and read the cancellation policy carefully before confirming, since several venues require deposits or charge cancellation fees.

How much does Christmas Day dinner cost in Palm Springs?

Christmas Day prix-fixe dinners in Palm Springs range from roughly $62 per person at Grand Central Palm Springs to $145 or more at 4 Saints at Kimpton Rowan. The Pink Cabana in Indian Wells prices its holiday menu at $120 per person, or $160 with wine pairings. Peaks Restaurant at the Tramway charges $89 for adults and $39 for children ages 3 to 10, with tram admission billed separately. Most restaurants add mandatory gratuity to holiday-menu tables, so factor an additional 18 to 22 percent onto the stated menu price when budgeting.

Is the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway open on Christmas Day?

Yes, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway operates on Christmas Day, and both Peaks Restaurant (at the top station) and Pines Cafe (at the Valley Station) serve holiday meals. The adult Christmas prix fixe at Peaks Restaurant is $89; children ages 3 to 10 pay $39. The Ride 'n' Dine ticket combination, which bundles tram admission with a Pines Cafe meal, is available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Purchase tickets in advance through the official Tramway ticketing site to avoid walk-up queues on December 25.

Are there restaurants open for Christmas Day breakfast or brunch in Palm Springs?

Escena Lounge and Grill at 1100 Clubhouse View Drive is the most reliably confirmed option for a Christmas Day morning meal, opening at 7:00 a.m. and serving through 2:00 p.m. with California-style fare and mountain views. Peaks Restaurant and Pines Cafe at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway begin meal service at 11:00 a.m. on Christmas Day. Most of the formal prix-fixe options in Palm Springs (Spencer's being the notable exception with its 11:00 a.m. start) focus on dinner service from 4:00 p.m. or 5:00 p.m. onward.

Are restaurants open for Christmas Day in Rancho Mirage and Indian Wells?

Yes. Wally's Desert Turtle at 71-775 Highway 111 in Rancho Mirage serves a preset Christmas Day menu beginning at 1:00 p.m., with a $15-per-person cancellation fee for notices under 48 hours. The Pink Cabana at the Sands Hotel and Spa in Indian Wells offers a Christmas Day prix fixe starting at 4:15 p.m., priced at $120 per person or $160 with wine pairings. The La Quinta Resort and Club and the Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa also typically operate at least one restaurant on Christmas Day, though specific outlets and hours should be confirmed directly.

What should I do if I cannot get a Christmas Day reservation in Palm Springs?

If Palm Springs restaurants are fully booked, check the broader Greater Palm Springs region using the OpenTable Christmas Day listings for Palm Springs and Palm Desert, which shows real-time availability across 30-plus venues with time and cuisine filters. Call restaurants directly around December 22 to 23, as cancellation-window tables often open up but are not always reflected immediately on booking platforms. National chain locations including Outback Steakhouse and Applebee's in the greater area are typically open on Christmas Day as a reliable fallback.

Is The Muse Hotel Palm Springs a good base for Christmas in Palm Springs?

The Muse Hotel Palm Springs is located in the Warm Sands neighborhood, about 2.1 miles from downtown Palm Springs and five minutes by car from Palm Canyon Drive. The heated courtyard pool and outdoor hot tub are available year-round, and December evenings in the desert, with the San Jacinto Mountains holding snow at elevation, make poolside time genuinely enjoyable in cold-weather months. Guests at the hotel's individual suites or the full Hotel Buyout can reach every restaurant on this list within 5 to 20 minutes. The Hotel Buyout accommodates up to 21 guests across 10 bedrooms, making it a practical choice for groups who want to gather the whole family in one property for the holiday.

Planning Your Christmas Week Stay in Palm Springs

Christmas in Palm Springs rewards guests who plan the full week, not just the dinner reservation. December temperatures average in the low to mid-60s during the day, making it genuinely comfortable for the outdoor activities that define the desert experience: hiking the trails at Indian Canyons, taking the Aerial Tramway up to snow level, walking the mid-century architecture tour along the Racquet Club Road neighborhood, and browsing the galleries and boutiques along Palm Canyon Drive.

For the dining side of the week, spread your restaurant reservations across Christmas Eve and Christmas Day rather than trying to cram everything into December 25. Several of the best restaurants in the region, including 4 Saints and Alice B., offer Christmas Eve service on similar or identical terms to their Christmas Day menus, with slightly more seat availability. A Christmas Eve dinner reservation combined with a casual Christmas Day brunch at Escena, followed by an afternoon at the Tramway, is a more relaxed and enjoyable structure than back-to-back formal dinners.

Guests staying at The Muse Hotel Palm Springs have access to the private hibachi dinner experience bookable at the hotel, which is an appealing alternative for groups who would rather eat in than navigate a crowded restaurant on December 25. The hotel's courtyard is a natural gathering space for a private group dinner, and the adults-only environment means no outside noise to compete with.

Greater Palm Springs attracted over 14 million visitors annually in recent years, according to the Greater Palm Springs Economic Impact Report, and the holiday period draws a significant share of that traffic. Book accommodations and restaurant reservations simultaneously. The two are connected: the most popular hotels and suites go before the most popular restaurant tables, and losing your accommodation option because you waited to confirm dining first is a frustrating and avoidable error.

For a full picture of what Palm Springs offers during the holiday week beyond restaurants, the Palm Springs Hotel guide from The Muse Hotel Palm Springs covers seasonal activities, neighborhood character, and what makes this particular desert city worth the trip in December specifically.

If you are planning a Christmas week trip and still sorting out where to stay, The Bowie Suite at The Muse Hotel Palm Springs offers a full kitchen, private patio, and outdoor fireplace, which makes a cool December evening in the desert feel exactly as it should. The heated courtyard pool is right outside, and every restaurant listed in this guide is within a short drive. Check current availability at The Muse Hotel Palm Springs here.