Long before Palm Springs became a favourite getaway for Hollywood stars, Walt Disney had a place of his own in the desert. He actually owned two holiday homes at Smoke Tree Ranch, where he could escape the bustle of the studios to ride horses, play lawn bowls and enjoy a slower pace of life. He was clearly fond of the place, even wearing the ranch’s initials on a necktie – a detail that later made its way onto Disneyland’s famous Partners statue.
It’s a lesser-known piece of Disney history, but one that speaks to the company’s long connection with Southern California. And that connection provides a homely backdrop for Candlelight: Disney Love Songs, which is bringing the iconic music of Disney films to two venues outside Los Angeles: First Congregational Church of Riverside in the Inland Empire and The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage in the Palm Springs area.
Walt Disney’s little-known connection to the California desert
Walt Disney’s connection to the Palm Springs area was a little more than just having a holiday home. At Smoke Tree Ranch, he became part of the local community, taking part in the ranch’s social activities and even sponsoring bowling tournaments. He was so attached to the place that he sold his first home there to help fund Disneyland, before moving into a second property in 1957, once the park had become a success.
The ranch even left its mark on Disney history in a small but memorable way: the initials ‘STR’, which appeared on one of his favourite neckties, were later reproduced on the Partners statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse at Disneyland.
And while Walt Disney found his own little escape in the desert, you can now enjoy a different kind of Disney magic across Southern California. Candlelight: Disney Love Songs brings the music of much-loved Disney films to two atmospheric venues outside Los Angeles, with performances in Riverside and Rancho Mirage.
15 January 2027 18:15 + more dates
First Congregational Church of Riverside
10 January 2027 16:30 + more dates
The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage
Romance, family and friendship: what’s on the program
Not every Disney love song is about a prince, though a few of them definitely are. This one-hour concert, presented under license from Disney Concerts, has a string quartet play 15 love songs from Disney and Pixar films in a candlelit setting, and the program covers just about every kind of love going.
Romance comes first: “A Whole New World”, “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”, “Kiss the Girl”, “I See the Light” and “Beauty and the Beast”, plus “Some Day My Prince Will Come” from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the oldest song on the setlist. Then there are the crushes nobody wants to admit to, “Something There” and “I Won’t Say (I’m In Love)”, while “True Love’s Kiss” from Enchanted gently sends up the whole fairy-tale formula.
Family gets its turn with “You’ll Be In My Heart” from Tarzan, “Remember Me” from Coco and “Dos Oruguitas” from Encanto, and “When She Loved Me” from Toy Story 2 is all about friendship. “Married Life” from Up tells a whole marriage without a single word, and “Love Is an Open Door” from Frozen completes the set. And the recognition doesn’t stop at nostalgia, five of the 15 won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
Two venues, from Riverside to the desert
Inland Empire: First Congregational Church of Riverside
In Riverside, the quartet takes over First Congregational Church, a striking landmark at 3504 Mission Inn Avenue, on the corner of Lemon Street. One of its most distinctive features is the Spanish Baroque Revival bell tower, designed by architect Myron Hunt and engineered by Henry L. A. Jekel, which was completed in December 1913.
If you’re driving, there’s street parking beside the church, as well as two public lots on Lemon Street between University and Mission Inn avenues. The sanctuary and main level are fully accessible, with an accessible restroom also available.
Palm Springs area: The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage
Over in the Coachella Valley, the concert takes place at The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage, perched above the valley at 68900 Frank Sinatra Drive. The hotel has an interesting history of its own: it first opened under the Ritz-Carlton name in 1988, later became the Lodge at Rancho Mirage, then reclaimed its original name in May 2014. These days, its hillside location offers sweeping views across Palm Springs towards the San Jacinto Mountains.
If you’re travelling by car, the hotel offers valet parking and EV charging, while SunLine’s Route 1WV runs along nearby Highway 111. The main entrance and meeting spaces are accessible, with elevators available throughout the property.
A little road trip out of LA might be just what you need for a change of scenery. Between the historic charm of First Congregational Church in Riverside and the mountain views from The Ritz-Carlton in Rancho Mirage, both locations offer something a little different from your usual night out in the city. Add a soundtrack packed with Disney cult classics and a candlelit setting, and Candlelight: Disney Love Songs makes a pretty good excuse to venture beyond LA for the evening.
