Even those who have never been to Coachella become curious whether it has anything to do with it. It has evolved beyond a music festival to include a fashion parade, a cultural event, a desert adventure, and a test of endurance over the course of one strange weekend.
Large crowds gather in California’s Coachella Valley each April to attend events that go beyond concerts. Some people enjoy seeing their favorite performers perform live, while others enjoy the atmosphere, the attire, the artwork, the sunsets, and the vibrant desert. On the other hand, Coachella is difficult. You can’t call it chill-will. It’s not just something you use as a backdrop on Instagram. Doing Coachella right or trying in the first place starts with the right information. Here, we explain everything about what to expect, how to prepare, and why Coachella is actually worth it.
Where It Happens
Coachella is at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, deep inside the Coachella Valley. It’s about a two- to three-hour drive from Los Angeles, depending on the traffic, and a short distance from Palm Springs. Once every year, this usual quiet desert land is transformed into a wonderland bursting with sound, color, and chaos.
The said fest occupies two weekends in mid-April. Both weekends have almost identical lineups, so anybody who goes either weekend is treated to the very same big-name shows, except with a bit of a different vibe depending on the weather and the crowd.
What Makes Coachella Different
Let’s just say it: Coachella is really intense. It’s scorching-hot. Dusty as hell. Full to the brim with people. But that is just one aspect of Coachella.
What draws people back is really the rare combination of melting massive music moments into an immersive experience of art and creative expression. One can see a legendary headliner performing on the main stage, then wander around to find one side of the festival setup made up of glowing sculptures, giant robotic animals, and interactive tents bathed with light and sound.
This lineup pulls from all genres, a diversified array of pop, rock, EDM, indie, hip-hop, global sounds, and surprise acts. At one moment, you are dancing before a thousand people at the DJ; the next, you are catching a bare-bones set by a strange-act artist you had never heard of and walking away with an obsession.
It is also the place where trends form. From the style point of view, something huge is going on in Coachella. Some go in full glam. Others go a bit down-to-earth. Yet almost all of them are bringing shines to whatever they wear. People will either snub or cherish the adorable fashion statement made there—if you care to notice, that is.
Tickets and Getting There
Tickets tend to sell several months before and generally sell out fast. General admission rights will cost a few hundred dollars. Well, VIP passes should be around a thousand dollars, more or less. Apart from that, you want to book hotels and host expenses for food and traveling.
Most people drive in, fly into Palm Springs or L.A., and use the official festival shuttle service. Shuttle pass: a good investment, getting you in and out of the fest grounds with rideshare apps around will be an absolute nightmare. Being jam-packed with heavy traffic, pathetic cell service, and overcrowded pickup zones is another.
Best plan: plan everything early. At least one thing to remember is never to decide in the last hour about how they are going to reach for their accommodation.
Camping vs. Hotels
Coachella, without many options, has for accommodations:
- Camp on-site: A full experience. Right inside the grounds, with no transportation to concern themselves with, and life around the clock with other festival-goers! Put on your sandals for heat, dust, a little rain: near no showers, and consider total lack of privacy.
- With a car: A favorite among peers. Fine, just park, pitch the tent, and consider this your weekend home.
- Glamping: Fancy safari tents with perks of AC, beds, and private bathrooms. This, dear people, costs thousands! So unless you go split with a group or really into luxury, no way is it worth it for you.
- Off-site hotels or Airbnbs: These book up quick and become pricey around Coachella weekend. If this is your choice, then do consider buying a shuttle-pass or brace yourself of driving throughout the Coachella days—it’ll gulp a lot of your time.
Extras to Bring
Dress for desert extremes. Burning hot days. Freezing colds at night. And the sun still doesn’t care if you have a hangover.
Here are some quick tips for packing:
- Water bottle
- Anything comfortable for walking miles in
- Lightweight and breathable clothes that will keep you comfy in the rage
- Anything warm for night-hoodie, sweater, jacket
- Sunscreen plus hat and sunglasses
- Portable phone charger
- Wet wipes, hand sanitizers, and basic toiletries
- Small backpack or belt bag (because you want your hands free)
Unless you fancy a fashion week, don’t bother packing for one; however, if you do, make sure that your gear can live outdoors for 12 hours or more.
How to Actually Have Fun
Here is the down-to-earth one: pace yourself. Coachella is a marathon; it is not a sprint.
Chase from the venue and then to a stage, screaming at everything, will give you burnout by Saturday afternoon. Take breaks. Have some grub. Find some shade. Wander around the art installations. Take some time to walk in that space instead of on to the next one.
It’s okay to miss a set too. FOMO is real, but no one sees everything. Try enjoying what you are watching and getting stressed on what you are not standing for.
And when it comes to music, don’t just keep it to the mainstream. Discovering new artists can deliver some of the most unforgettable experiences. Wander over into a random DJ tent. Wander down to a side stage, and just check things out. You could be meeting your new number one.
Pro Tips
- Arrive early in the day to avoid traffic and long lines at the entrance.
- Bring cash and a card; some vendors might accept one and not the other.
- Meet friends at landmarks, since cell phone service is dodgy; plus, “I’m by the stage” is way too vague.
- Wear something you’ll be able to move in. Whether dancing or just maneuvering through the crowd, comfort should come first.
- Don´t take the sun lightly. Keep topping your water intake, even when you think you´re fine. Dehydration sooms onto you fast in there.
The Good, The Bad, and The Worth It
Let’s be honest: Coachella does have its shortcomings. It’s expensive. It’s dusty. The crowds are overwhelming at times. Logistics can get chaotic as well. You’ll be tired to the core; a mild sunburn here and there; and sweat dripping from everywhere.
But the payoff?
Seeing your artist-god side in the desert stars. Barefoot dancing in the grass atop the Ghost Dance art installation. Looking up at the clock and realizing it’s 3 PM. That moment when it hits you that this is not merely a fair, but rather an experience unto itself.
Coachella really just depends on what you make of it. If you are out there expecting it to be a picture-perfect weekend filled with luxury, you are going to be disappointed. But if you enter it with curiosity and with an open mind, ready to go with whatever comes along-your memories will stay with you for years, long after the music has stopped.
The Final Words
The mess that is Coachella is magic in the making- sweaty, loud, and altogether absurd in so many ways. It is wonderfully beautiful, thoroughly weird, and utterly unforgettable.
So if it is your first time or you are just thinking about another round, remember that it is not about racing up to the coolest stage nor putting on the sickest outfit. What it’s all about is soaking in something grand, and having music, art, and energy flow through you.
Pack smart. Keep an open mind. Most importantly, remember your sunscreen. Keen on planning your travel itinerary or starting a packing list, or transforming this into a full festival-season content series? I got you-just say the word.
