Free events aimed at foster and homeless youth and their families will include meal, games, crafts, family activities, and a gift for each student

View photo album from Winter Wonderland in the Desert

PALM SPRINGS, RIVERSIDE – Students in Riverside County in foster care settings or youth and their families who are at risk of homelessness or insecure housing are invited to the Riverside County Office of Education’s Winter Wonderland events that will be held in Palm Springs for the first time and return to Riverside for the third year.

Winter Wonderland in the Desert

Saturday, December 2, 2023
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Palm Springs Convention Center
277 N. Avenida Caballeros, Palm Springs

Register for free: Winter Wonderland in the Desert Registration - REGISTRATION CLOSED

Winter Wonderland in the City

Saturday, December 9, 2023
4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Harvest Christian Fellowship Riverside
6115 Arlington Avenue, Riverside

Register for free: Winter Wonderland in the City Registration - REGISTRATION CLOSED

More than 1,000 foster and homeless youth are expected at each event as the facilities will be transformed into magical and wintry wonderland worlds. 

Highlights of the free event include:

• Musical light show
• Food booths
• Hot cocoa station
• Dessert bar
• Photo booths
• Craft area
• Tree lighting (Riverside only)
• Snow for sledding (Riverside only)
• Ice skating (Riverside only)

Every child will leave with a toy or gift. Registration is required. Families that do not pre-register may not receive gifts for their children, and students must be present to receive resources. For more information about this free event, please visit the Winter Wonderland web page.     

“The Winter Wonderland events are a way for all students in multiple regions of our county to have something to look forward to this holiday season,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez. “These events represent an opportunity to wrap our community’s collective arms around students who are deserving of positive reinforcement, loving kindness, and a fresh reminder of the importance of hope for the future  

Event partners include: Supply Bank, Palm Springs Convention Center, and 1-2-3 Wellness. To participate, contact the Riverside County Office of Education Foster Youth Services Coordinating Program at (951) 826-4700 or fyscp@rcoe.us. 

About the Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE)

RCOE is a service agency supporting the county’s 23 school districts and 500+ schools that serve nearly 430,000 students—more than the student population of 17 states. RCOE services include administrative support to districts and charter schools, programs for preschool, special education, pregnant minor, correctional, migrant, and vocational students. In addition, the organization provides professional training, support and resources for more than 18,000 teachers, administrators and staff throughout the 7,000 square miles of Riverside County.