Your last chance to see Robolights at its current location is Jan. 2. Here's what you need to know
Guests are urged to arrive early, since it often takes 45 minutes to get into the exhibit. The latest guests can enter is 9:30 p.m.
Your last chance to see Robolights at its current location is Jan. 2. Here's what you need to know Guests are urged to arrive early, since it often takes 45 minutes to get into the exhibit. The latest guests can enter is 9:30 p.m. Check out this story on desertsun.com: https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/local/2018/12/27/last-chance-see-robolights-palm-springs-home-jan-2/2418588002/
Shane Newell, Palm Springs Desert Sun Published 3:30 p.m. PT Dec. 27, 2018 | Updated 7:14 a.m. PT Jan. 2, 2019
The Dragonboat Ferris Wheel is one of many new works of art visitors can see at Robolights this year. Zoe Meyers/The Desert Sun
Robolights is open to the public on Wednesday, November 21, 2018 in Palm Springs.(Photo: Richard Lui/The Desert Sun)Buy Photo
Robolights, the wondrous marriage of light and art in Palm Springs that is captivating thousands of guests every night, will cease operating at its residential location on Jan. 2.
Fans hoping to get one last peek of Kenny Irwin Jr.'s creations — including the half-truck, half-tank with Spiderman behind the wheel and giant inflatable Santa on the home's roof — can park at Ruth Hardy Park and visit from 4 to 9:30 p.m.
Once the exhibit on Granvia Valmonte closes, the public must wait until it opens in a commercial location to see it again. Where and when that will be is unclear.
As part of an agreement with the city of Palm Springs last month, Irwin agreed to move the exhibit, which sits about a mile east of Palm Canyon Drive, to a commercial location property no less than a quarter mile from any residence. The city will pay $125,000 to help cover the moving costs.
Irwin's attorneys said the event is attracting more than 3,000 visitors per night. The wait to get in is roughly 45 minutes.
"The line is long," said attorney Dayton Parcells, "so come early."
Robolights opens for the season
Visitors at Robolights on its opening night on Wednesday, November 21, 2018 in Palm Springs. Richard Lui/The Desert Sun
Robolights is open to the public on Wednesday, November 21, 2018 in Palm Springs. Richard Lui/The Desert Sun
No parking signs around neighborhood surrounding Robolights on Wednesday, November 21, 2018 in Palm Springs. Richard Lui/The Desert Sun
Kenny Irwin opens for the 32nd annual Robolights holiday display, Palm Springs, Calif., Wednesday, November 21, 2018. Zoë Meyers/The Desert Sun
The latest guests can enter is 9:30 p.m. The lights will turn off at 10 p.m., Parcells said.
The settlement capped off a two-year legal fight over the exhibit.
Over the years, some neighbors living close to Robolights have complained about the traffic, noise and trash they said the event has attracted.
In 2016, Robolights found itself in trouble after the city sued Irwin over code violations.
Earlier that year, an electrical fire broke out but Irwin said it was the result of malfunctioning pool equipment. The city looked at Robolights a few months later and discovered some unpermitted construction projects.
More: Robolights' legal road: After years of fighting, the light show will leave ritzy Palm Springs neighborhood
More: After lengthy fight with Palm Springs, Robolights opens as planned, but will have to find new home next year
After it opened in 2016, the city issued an injunction after outlining to Irwin that the public couldn't go on his property because of the danger posed from inflatables if they blew off the property's roof.
Ultimately, the injunction was thrown out and a settlement was reached the following year. The agreement said that Irwin would need a permit every year, could only allow the public to visit from certain hours, and follow other rules.
Moving forward, Parcells said the hope is to move to a commercial area in Palm Springs.
"Anyone who owns property and who would like to do something with Robolights," he added, "we'd be interested in talking to them."
Previous reporting by Christopher Damien was used in this article.
Shane Newell covers breaking news and the western Coachella Valley cities of Palm Springs, Cathedral City and Desert Hot Springs. He can be reached at Shane.Newell@DesertSun.com, (760) 778-4649 or on Twitter at @journoshane.
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