Discover Imperial

Imperial reveals its character especially where local history, seasonal events and public parks come together. Those planning a trip to California and looking for more than just a place to stay will find a range of opportunities for spending time together here: cultural events, historical insights, music, food and green open spaces. When choosing your holiday apartment or holiday home, you can therefore consider whether your focus is more on festivals, museum visits, time in the parks or exploring the surrounding region.

Festivals, Music and Local Traditions

Imperial’s event calendar is varied. The Imperial Signature Event Series takes place every year in October, December, February and March in Downtown Imperial and focuses on culture and commerce. Fiesta de los Muertos honors the traditions of Día de los Muertos with live entertainment, vendor booths, music, art, food and shared remembrance. The Imperial Parade of Lights offers another seasonal highlight: illuminated floats, music, a pre-holiday atmosphere and vendor booths shape the event in the downtown area.

Imperial Carnaval is also a celebration inspired by Brazilian carnival traditions, featuring live entertainment, festive music and local vendors. For travelers who enjoy getting to know different sides of a place, Blues, Brews & BBQ adds music, food, local vendors and an annual tri-tip cook-off to the program. The California Mid-Winter Fair and Fiesta is also an annual ten-day event.

History in the Downtown Area and at the Museum

The downtown area of Imperial was subdivided for homes and commercial businesses in 1902. This historical development can be combined with a visit to the Pioneers’ Museum. It houses the collection of the Imperial County Historical Society, including archives, documents, newspapers, personal letters, historic furniture, photographs, clothing and equipment used by the early settlers. The museum also hosts a presentation at the end of each month about a local author or a topic from the Imperial Valley.

The annual Pioneers’ Day on the first weekend of February is part of the area’s historic event calendar. The free event includes historical exhibits, operating agricultural equipment, blacksmithing demonstrations, covered-wagon rides and butter making. The Pioneers’ Museum’s annual Holiday Tour Around the World uses the cultural galleries for holiday cuisine, entertainment and festive decorations. Those interested in the history of the surrounding area can also include the Site of Fort Romualdo Pacheco in their plans; it is located exactly 6.5 miles west of the city.

Parks and Relaxed Portions of the Day

The municipal park system includes 18 neighborhood parks, Imperial Transit Park, landscaped areas along roadways and green spaces. The parks offer, among other things, shaded pavilions, basketball courts and high-quality baseball fields. Pioneers Park & Museum includes several outdoor exhibits and restrooms in addition to the museum and is a 22-acre park. This combination may be appealing to families because cultural discoveries and quieter time outdoors can be given different weights when planning a trip, without every day having to follow the same rhythm.

Guidance for Choosing Your Accommodation

The IV Fairgrounds are located at 200 East 2nd Street in Imperial, California 92251. At the venue, Casa de Mañana can host concerts, banquets and trade shows. If a trip is connected with such an event, you should consider your personal daily itinerary and desired priorities when choosing accommodation, rather than judging Imperial solely by a single experience. For regional transportation, IV Transit offers bus routes connecting cities and communities throughout Imperial County. The Events at the Park series takes place in various community parks and includes, among other things, information sessions and concerts in the park.

Additional programs offered by the Recreation and Aquatics Department include various programs, services and activities, including offerings for youth and seniors. Depending on the time of year and your interests, Imperial can therefore be viewed as a base for culture, events, history or public open spaces. For additional destinations in your travel plans, you can also explore Holtville, Calipatria, Brawley, El Centro, Calexico, Westmorland, Seeley and Heber.

For the broader travel overview: Imperial.