Robolights — Attraction in Palm Springs

Robolights is a sci-fi wasteland theme park style art installation located at artist Kenny Irwin's private residence in an otherwise uppity and unremarkable part of Palm Springs. Imagine a Tim Burton landscape, a la Pee-wee Herman's front yard, pieced together using salvaged debris, knick knacks, building materials, and machines, and drowned in paint, like Jackson Pollock painted over a Robert Rauschenberg mega-sculpture. (I'm specutling at an influence here, but when I looked up some Kenny Irwin interviews in the local news media, he says that he started this project 1986, which is one year after Pee-Wee's Big Adventure was released. Coincidence? I doubt it.) From what I gather, Robolights is only open to the public during the holiday season, Thanksgiving through just after New Year's. To think that this is just a holiday amusement though would be giving short shrift to the large volume of art there that has nothing whatsoever to do with old St. Nick. Most of the Christmassy themed art is at the front entrance and driveway of the house, and seems as temporary as the Christmas lights you hung on your house. Once entering the 2 acre backyard the themes run from straight up horror, to Twilight Zone, to campy sci-fi, to a psycho circus. I took my kids with me and they loved it. Usually when I drag them to any art related thing they get bored pretty quick. Not here. There is so much to see here that it kept them interested for hours. When we tried to leave, my smallest one was bummed because he was sure there was an aisle in this maze that we had missed, so back in we went until he was sure he had seen it all. There's something of interest here for any age level. I'd still like to go back by myself, or with someone who doesn't talk too much just to take more time to soak it all in. You could easily spend an entire evening here. If you're the type who likes to take psychoactive drugs to get to other levels of perception, this would be a good place to do it, but just keep it low key because there are lots of families here. Also, don't forget that this is someone’s private residence, so be respectful. Operating hours were from 4:00pm to 9:30pm. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. That means donate generously to support this and don't be a mooch. There is no parking at the site itself and all the streets around it are closed except to residents, and Palm Springs parking enforcement IS on site ready to drum up some revenue for the city, so mind the signs. They recommend parking at or around Ruth Hardy Park which is just a couple blocks walk from there and shouldn't take you more than 10 minutes. This is a...

I had visited Robolights previously about five years ago and it was amazing. Zero issues at all. Yet, my family and I "attempted" to visit Robolights this holiday season but to no avail due to one reason and one reason alone: parking. The residents of the area practically had the whole neighborhood restricted in terms of curb parking spaces. The signs all over the neighborhood which read "No parking, local only" basically told us to leave. I understand that the residents may not want all the tourist attraction and noise. Yet, it was still extremely inconvenient especially after visiting Candy Cane Lane in Maravilla which let you park anywhere (within reason). The residents of Maravilla and the surrounding area had no issues with the parking. In fact, you could tell that they were much more engaged as the entire block was brimming with Christmas decorations and many of the residents were sitting in their front porches giving greetings to each passersby. (Warning extremely opinionated statement incoming) It seemed there was a stark contrast in personality from the well-off and rich area of Palm Springs Robolights and the ghetto neighborgood of Maravilla street in Cathedral City and this is coming from someone who has lived in both cities (now residing in Palm Desert). Robolights was the center of attraction and the surrounding houses weren't lit at all. It almost seemed like it was either intentional or the residents didn't give much care to holiday cheer. As we struggled to find parking, we found a space far off from the attraction in a quiet street. Fortunately, a lady approached us and explained how she was fined $37 for parking in the curb. Naturally, we left and tried to find another area to park. After driving even further from Robolights we found a space and a car behind us followed and parked across the street. Moments later, that very car was stopped by a patrolling officer who was enforcing the parking restrictions. After that occurence, we decided to just simply leave. It wasn't worth the hassle. We got a much better experience at Maravilla anyways. Please give clearer directions to a designated parking space next time. I don't even know if there was one. Honestly, it's the holidays and people want to enjoy themselves. All these unnecessary restrictions just ruin the entire mood. I'm sure the lady who was fined and the people in the stopped car would agree. Two stars, only because I know how great the actual attraction is...hopefully next year parking is...

If you like modern art, you should probably check this place out. It takes “One man’s junk is another man’s treasure” to the next level. We found Robolights listed online, and then found the artist’s phone number on Facebook. The owner and artist is super neurodivergent, and requires that you follow his instructions to a T- so be prepared for that. You have to text him to schedule an appointment- so entry to this artists exhibit is not the usual “buy a ticket and enter”. When we arrived, the artist showed up without a shirt, wearing sweatpants only, and 10 minutes late to the “be there exactly at 11:00” meeting- so expect the unusual when going to Robolights. The mass of stuff is to the next level. I really feel like he should have a scavenger hunt sheet that he gives out before people enter- spiders, skulls, shoes, fans, buckets, life-size boats floating in water, Santa Claus’…OMG the list could go on forever. It is like somebody moved to junkyard, all the leftovers from a closed mall and a whole Christmas village to a residential back yard and started to build for a haunted house, but then wanted to have it up year round, and so, Robolights was created. He gives you about half an hour to look around, and in the end, he wants you to buy a piece of his artwork, but, if I’m being honest, I feel like he needs a better selection of artwork for the mainstream (not just resins skulls and stuff in resin) and more realistic prices. He said at the end he wanted each group to purchase something of at least $50, but he doesn’t have anything in that price point for sale. It seems like most of the art at the end is in the $675-$1000 price point. We just ended up sending him $50 on Venmo. It was really spectacular to see the amount of work. He has put in to create the vast, sprawling, artwork that he has created. It truly has more than you can imagine when you see it from the outside. There are so many words you could use to describe it, but one thing is for sure, it is unlike anything you have seen before. It will not let me post any...