Mark Stefanos
Since its launch in 2013, Splash House has worked the same formula: drop a stage at the deep end of a resort pool, pass out floaties, and let the Palm Springs heat and nightlife take over. The 2026 edition returned for two full weekends, August 7-9 and August 14-16, moving daytime sets between the Renaissance, the Saguaro, and the Hilton Palm Springs (the latter filling in while the Riviera underwent renovations). Once the sun dropped, the action shifted to the Palm Springs Air Museum tarmac, with performances unfolding beneath a vintage warplane.
The first weekend leaned into surprises. Fcukers and Kenny Beats went B2B, Foster the People delivered a rare DJ appearance, and KETTAMA, Mall Grab, Layton Giordani, and Josh Baker kept the energy sharp. Bass took a bigger share of the bill than usual, with ALLEYCVT, WHIPPED CREAM, and Jkyl & Hyde cutting through the pools. The Chainsmokers closed out Saturday night at the Air Museum.
Weekend two turned the stages over to Alison Wonderland, Prospa, Tiga, D.O.D, Whethan, Riordan, and OMNOM. After dark, Gorgon City, Jackie Hollander, SCRIPT, and TOBEHONEST held court among the planes.
As expected, it was pretty dang hot. We heard that security at the hotels was a bit tighter this year, and at the Weekend 1 afters, some idiot threw a bottle into the crowd during a dispute and nine people got minor injuries (Palm Spring police arrested a suspect the following Friday). But the people we surveyed all said it was well worth it for the lineup and the pool-party-meets-dorm-party atmosphere that you don’t get at any other major festival.
Check out the gallery above for a taste, and read our feature with Splash House founder Tyler McLean from last year here.