Four nationally known voices will take the Desert Town Hall stage in Indian Wells beginning in January
As winter residents and year-round locals return to Greater Palm Springs, Desert Town Hall will once again open its doors to big ideas and spirited conversation.
The nonprofit speaker series announced its 2026 season, featuring four evenings of talks and discussions spanning national security, journalism, visual storytelling, and political discourse. Now in its 34th season, Desert Town Hall continues its long-standing mission to bring influential thinkers and public figures to the desert community.
All 2026 programs will be held at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa in Indian Wells, continuing a tradition that has made Desert Town Hall one of the region’s most recognizable cultural events.
The H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation continues its multi-year run as the presenting sponsor of Desert Town Hall in 2026.
Opening Night: National Security and Global Affairs
The season begins Sunday, January 18, with KT McFarland, former Deputy National Security Advisor and a longtime voice in foreign policy and international affairs.
McFarland’s career has placed her at the center of global decision-making, and her appearance is expected to focus on geopolitics, national security and America’s role in an increasingly complex world.
“Desert Town Hall opens each season with a speaker who frames the challenges of our time,” the organization states. “KT McFarland brings a perspective shaped by direct experience at the highest levels of government.”
Journalism and Leadership Take the Stage in February
On Thursday, February 12, the series continues with Bret Baier, a veteran broadcast journalist known for his coverage of American politics and history.
Baier’s work as a political anchor has given him a front-row seat to decades of national debate, leadership shifts and historic moments. His Desert Town Hall appearance will draw on that background, offering audiences insight into governance, accountability and the evolving political landscape.
A Photographer’s View of Power and Humanity
The March schedule opens Tuesday, March 3, with Platon, the internationally acclaimed portrait photographer whose work has captured world leaders, cultural figures and human rights advocates.
Platon is widely recognized for portraits that emphasize humanity over status, often revealing unexpected vulnerability in figures of power. His presentation will explore how images shape public perception and tell stories that words alone cannot.
Season Finale: A Conversation Across Differences
The 2026 season concludes Thursday, March 26, with a joint appearance by Ben Shapiro and Van Jones, bringing two distinct political voices to the same stage.
Shapiro, co-founder of The Daily Wire and host of The Ben Shapiro Show, and Jones, a political commentator and public figure, represent different ideological perspectives. Their shared appearance underscores Desert Town Hall’s commitment to dialogue across differences.
Rather than a debate, the evening is framed as a conversation – one designed to model civil discourse and encourage audiences to consider multiple viewpoints.
A Valley Tradition
Founded in 1993 and produced by Desert Forum, Inc., Desert Town Hall is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to lifelong learning. Over the years, the series has welcomed presidents, prime ministers, journalists, artists and global leaders to the desert.
In addition to its mainstage events, Desert Town Hall supports educational outreach through its Youth Town Hall program, which introduces local high school students to speakers and civic discussion.
More information is available deserttownhall.org.
