It’s virtually time to make the annual pilgrimage to the desert for the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. The occasion will have a good time its twenty fifth 12 months on the polo fields in Indio, this time with Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber and Karol G topping the lineup.
Whether you’re heading to the pageant or watching from residence, we’ve compiled a information for maximizing your Coachella time from what to pack and what events and pop-ups are open to the general public to the right way to watch from the consolation of your sofa.
We’ll have stay updates all through Weekend 1 at latimes.com/coachella. We’re additionally answering your questions and compiling your tips.
When is Coachella? Where is the venue?
Coachella 2026 runs April 10-12 and 17-19 on the Empire Polo Club at 81-800 Ave. 51 in Indio.
Who is acting at Coachella 2026?
This 12 months’s most important stage headliners are Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber and Karol G.
There’s additionally an enormous manufacturing from Anyma, presenting the world premiere of Æden, and different prime artists embrace the XX, Nine Inch Noize, Disclosure, the Strokes, Turnstile, Addison Rae, David Byrne, Iggy Pop, Katseye, Sombr and Young Thug. Here’s the full lineup.
Can I nonetheless get tickets to Coachella? How a lot are passes?
Coachella is offered out, however there are nonetheless methods to get in. There’s a waiting list via Coachella itself and there’s additionally an official resale market and secondary sellers.
On the official Coachella resale site, Weekend 1 normal admission three-day passes and GA with a shuttle go are hovering round $1,000; VIP are beginning at $1,630 as of April 1.
Weekend 2 begins at $815 for normal admission passes and GA with shuttle on the official Coachella resale web site whereas VIP begins at $1,130. Note that the costs fluctuate usually.
(For reference, when tickets went on sale in September, they began at $649 for a three-day GA go for Weekend 1 and $549 for Weekend 2. For VIP, passes for Weekend 1 began at $1,299 and $1,199 for Weekend 2.)
Beware of secondary websites, however you could find passes there as properly. Typically Weekend 2 is cheaper however costs will spike after everybody talks about Weekend 1.
A number of issues to notice: Coachella doesn’t have exhausting tickets however wristbands. If a deal appears to good to be true, it in all probability is. Check the insurance policies to see how your buy is assured in the event you go the secondary vendor route.
Music followers watch Green Day’s headlining set at Coachella in 2025.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
What’s the distinction between normal admission and VIP passes, and are VIP passes price it?
No matter what degree of go you have got, you’ll be able to roam round many of the subject and rise up near phases. Yes, you’ll be able to have a GA go and stroll proper as much as the stage. Of course, in the event you’re a Belieber attempting to try this you’re in all probability tenting out all day Saturday.
If you see these particular viewing pits close to the stage, the VIP passes don’t get you to there. Nor do they get you on stage.
VIP passes do get you a devoted entrance (nearer to what has traditionally been the yellow lot and the trip share dropoff/pickups) and extra unique meals choices in spots just like the picturesque Rose Garden subsequent to the Mojave Tent. You can also view the primary stage from the 12 Peaks VIP space. And there was a devoted VIP entrance for the Yuma Tent lately.
When does Coachella launch set occasions?
The pageant set occasions are often introduced just a few days earlier than Weekend 1, after which the complaints about conflicts will ensue. In 2025, the set occasions dropped on April 5. When they land, we’ll share them right here.
Recent years have additionally had notable shock acts revealed within the set occasions announcement, together with Weezer and Ed Sheeran in 2025, Blink-182 in 2023 and Arcade Fire in 2022.
The set occasions are fairly constant on most phases by means of each weekends, with minor tweaks — often the early DJs or acts opening the phases change up between weekends. However, the lineups on the Quasar stage and the Do Lab are completely different every weekend.
Once set occasions are launched and also you’re plotting your personal schedule, don’t plan on simply hopping backwards and forwards between the Sahara Tent and many of the different phases. It moved to the far south finish of the pageant grounds in 2024 and it’s a significantly longer hike than its earlier areas. There was a site visitors jam attempting to recover from there in 2024 and in 2025 the pageant made some enhancements (swapping the Quasar and Do Lab areas) to ease a crowd chokepoint, however you’re nonetheless taking a look at in all probability a 15-minute stroll from the primary stage.
When do gates open at Coachella? How late does the music go?
The parking heaps open at 11 a.m. day by day and the gates open round 1. The curfew is 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday and midnight on Sunday.
What’s the take care of parking? What concerning the shuttles? Can I take a rideshare? How’s site visitors?
Unlike just about another live performance in Southern California, normal parking is free at Coachella for the day. If you’re driving in, carpool and get there early. There have been years the place folks have needed to park off-site as a result of it’s so packed. Just be sure you observe the place you parked as a result of on the finish of a protracted day of music, you don’t need to be looking for your automotive. (Pro tip: Drop a pin in your cellphone as quickly as you park.)
You can take a rideshare to/from Coachella. That lot is close to the yellow lot however I all the time hear horror tales yearly.
Whether you’re driving or taking a rideshare, know that in the event you keep till the top of the night time you’re doubtless going to be ready some time.
Pro tip: If you’re driving, go away your self some snacks that received’t soften and a few waters within the automotive so you have got some sustenance in the event you do get caught.
The shuttles do require a go. As of April 1, solely Weekend 2 was out there so as to add a go through the Coachella web site and it’s $150. Friends who’ve stayed on the western aspect of the Coachella Valley (Palm Springs) swear by it, particularly in the event that they need to have grownup drinks all through the day.
The worst site visitors is on the ten Freeway the Monday after every weekend. It’s brutal in the event you’re heading again to L.A. You should be on the highway by 9 a.m. or wait it out till the night.
Where do I put my stuff? Are there lockers?
There are lockers however they price cash and it’s essential to reserve them prematurely. After being offered out, it appears to be like just like the pageant put extra normal lockers up on the market as of April 2. They begin at $89 for the weekend. Charging lockers stay offered out. You are allowed to usher in a backpack 18” x 13” x 8.5” or smaller. If you’ll be able to journey mild, a fanny pack is the way in which to go, however in the event you’re planning to convey a hoodie or a seaside towel to take a seat on, your shoulders will probably be much less offended at carrying a backpack over a messenger bag, belief me.
Is there a spot to cost my cellphone? How can I maintain my cellphone from getting stolen at Coachella?
There are some chargers set up across the subject, together with all through the lined Craft Beer Barn, however convey your personal cable. It’s price bringing an influence financial institution with you so that you don’t have to attend to your cellphone to cost.
Everyone is aware of somebody who has had their cellphone jacked at Coachella. Set up and activate no matter form of “Find my phone” app your system has earlier than attending to the desert.
I’ve seen folks use fanny packs with tethers inside to additional safe telephones and in addition cellphone lanyards.
A lower-tech possibility I’ve seen is utilizing security pins to maintain entrance pockets closed, one thing that works significantly properly with zippered pockets.
I don’t have a spot to remain for Coachella but. What are my choices?
Most of your choices are going to be massively costly since we’re all the way down to the wire right here (I noticed an Airbnb itemizing for a mattress in a laundry room in Thermal coming in at slightly below $700/night time for Weekend 1), however as of April 1, there have been nonetheless automotive tenting passes out there for every weekend for $180, which incorporates the native transient occupancy tax. Powered automotive tenting, which the Coachella site says will get you a assured spot with an influence outlet and entry to upgraded showers and bogs, runs for $700 with the tax included.
Coachella attendees get sprayed with water on the Do Lab in 2025.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
What’s the climate going to be like for Coachella and the way can I put together for it?
My greatest recommendation: Keep refreshing the forecast. We’ve had an unusually warm start to the year in Southern California, which usually alerts that we’ll be roasting at Coachella, however issues have fortunately cooled off just a little.
If temperatures look gentle, take into account bringing lengthy sleeves for the night as a result of it does get chilly. As of April 6, Accuweather’s 10-day forecast is exhibiting a cooler Coachella for Weekend 1, with highs of 89 on Friday, 74 on Saturday and 77 on Sunday. However, that forecast can be exhibiting a 72% probability of rain on Saturday. The solely time it rained at Coachella was the Friday of Weekend 1 in 2012, and fortunately it was extra of a drizzle than a downpour and moved out shortly. It’s price noting that during the last week the Friday excessive retains transferring upward and the rain initially forecast for that day moved to Saturday, so the state of affairs will doubtless maintain altering.
Weekend 2 is often hotter, however in 2025 that wasn’t the case. As of April 6, the forecast exhibits highs starting from 85 to 92 levels and no probability of rain.
Handheld followers (paper or battery-powered) are allowed. I’m not saying my USB-charged fan stored me from a visit to the medical tent in 2025, however I’m not NOT saying it. They’ve had some on the market on the pageant in earlier years, however it’s cheaper to purchase one off-site.
Plastic personal-sized water misters are allowed in, too, however they need to be empty while you get there.
If you don’t need to cease the enjoyable when you take a break from the warmth, the Do Lab is always a good place to catch some shade, dance and cool off.
It’s just about a assure that you just’re going to be in some gnarly wind sooner or later throughout the pageant, so a face protecting like a bandanna or a PPE masks (protects from mud AND COVID) are useful.
The desert is sizzling. Are there water stations?
If I’ve discovered one factor during the last 18 years I’ve lined Coachella, it’s that dehydration is severe enterprise. However a lot water you’re ingesting, it’s not sufficient.
Water has been priced at $2 since Coachella began again in 1999, and there are a number of refill stations on-site. You may usher in an empty refillable container, however it may possibly’t be metallic or glass and it needs to be 64 ounces or much less (regardless that the Coachella water they’ve offered lately is packaged in an aluminum bottle). Empty hydration backpacks are additionally allowed. (Electrolyte packets for hydration are too.)
Also, I’m instructed that Electrolit will probably be again on web site with a hydration station close to the primary stage and handing out free cups of the electrolyte-filled drink.
What must be on my Coachella packing checklist?
I discussed the bandanna/masks, fan and energy financial institution and charging cable above. I additionally don’t go to Coachella with out earplugs, hand sanitizer, some child wipes, sunscreen (non-aerosol solely) and a hat as a result of the Indio solar is not any joke, sun shades and a few Band-Aids simply in case. I’ll throw a hooded sweatshirt in my backpack, too, particularly if it’s going to be windy. And with the Weekend 1 forecast trying cooler than common, take into consideration bringing layers.
Even once I’m not working and I’m going to a pageant as a civilian, I’m all about operate over vogue and comfy sneakers and socks to stroll 1000’s of steps every day. For Coachella’s strolling, I’ll additionally convey out some gel insoles.
Oh, and go away your money at residence. Everything is cashless at Coachella now.
Definitely obtain the app earlier than you get there. In addition to having the ability to set your schedule, it’s change into more and more more durable to get the bodily map and data booklets on web site.
Pro tip: If you need a poster as a memento, one thing sensible I noticed final 12 months was somebody who introduced in their very own cardboard poster tube and in line with the Coachella FAQ, they are allowed.
What’s the take care of meals at Coachella?
Let’s be actual. You’re captive on the pageant and you’ll’t convey meals in with you. Food just isn’t low-cost, however it’s usually superb. You can discover some fairly priced choices all through the fest (pizza, particularly), however plan on spending about $18-$25 for many entrees on-site. There are loads of vegetarian and vegan choices out there, too.
Some of the distributors we sampled final 12 months, together with Sandoitchi and Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine, are again at Indio Central Market. And Gerard’s Paella and Mano Po are amongst these returning.
You may go for the super luxe Nobu pop-up, again on the Red Bull Mirage once more this 12 months, or have a elaborate family-style meal with Outstanding within the Field with well-known cooks.
Here’s a have a look at another food options at Coachella in 2026.
Reader Stacey from Rancho Santa Margarita, who has solely missed two Coachellas because the starting, additionally supplied an excellent tip: Eat your meals off schedule to keep away from lengthy meals traces.
You may rating some free snacks and issues at varied model activations, like final 12 months’s Takis spot.
If you have got extra time to dine, Times critic Bill Addison lately updated his Palm Springs dining guide.
My go-to transfer if I’m not caught within the parking zone late at night time is In-N-Out (there at the moment are two areas in Indio and one other one simply west on Highway 111 in La Quinta).
What’s new at Coachella this 12 months?
We’ll know extra as soon as we get the set occasions and map and can replace right here accordingly, however there may be the mysterious line on the underside of the lineup poster that reads: “The Bunker debut of Radiohead Kid A Mnesia.”
I all the time see photos of well-known folks on the Coachella events. How can I get into the Coachella events? Are there different exhibits exterior of the pageant? Can you get me in?
You know the way across the Super Bowl everybody talks about “the big game” as a result of they will’t point out it by identify however you already know precisely what they’re referring to? The overwhelming majority of the occasions occurring within the desert in April aren’t technically affiliated with Coachella however they exist as a result of everybody’s on the town for the pageant. Coachella = “desert music festival.”
Many of the events you see with probably the most well-known individuals are invite-only, like Neon Carnival and Camp Poosh and Nylon House, however there are many activations and exhibits the place you don’t even want a Coachella wristband to attend.
Goldenvoice Surf Club takes over the Palm Springs Surf Club each weekends. Passes begin at $49 for a single day and $85 for 2 days. Parking on web site is a further $20. You should be at the least 18 to attend. See the lineup and extra particulars at gvsurfclub.com.
If you need to maintain the music going all night time, Framework within the Desert is again for a fifth 12 months of afterparty performances April 10-12. Notable artists embrace a DJ set from Disclosure, Boys Noize and Armin Van Buuren. You should be at the least 21 to attend. Single-day passes begin at $74 and $85 relying on the day and three-day passes begin at $194. Find extra particulars at thisisframework.com.
Sabrina Carpenter has teamed up with Airbnb for an activation known as Sabrina’s Pit Stop throughout Weekend 1. A press launch concerning the occasion says that guests can count on “sparkly vintage cars, slushie concoctions, sweet treats and much more.” It’s free and open to the general public from noon-8 p.m. April 10; 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4-8 p.m. April 11 and noon-3 p.m. April 12. Sabrina’s Pit Stop will probably be at 82338 Highway 111 in Indio.
Check again for extra updates on events and occasions open to the general public.
That all feels like loads. How are you able to watch Coachella from residence?
If you need to have a good time Couch-ella, the pageant has partnered with YouTube for years to stream the pageant stay. This 12 months, YouTube will stream seven phases concurrently (up from six), together with the Quasar stage. YouTube may also livestream the Coachella stage, Outdoor Theatre and Sahara in 4k decision for the primary time.
Not each efficiency is streamed stay, however the overwhelming majority are on Coachella’s YouTube channel.
The stream begins just a few hours after issues are underway in Indio and never all set occasions line up with actuality, so it’s common to see people who find themselves there posting on social about one thing that hasn’t essentially occurred on the stream but. It begins at 4 p.m. April 10.
Set occasions for the stream sometimes drop instantly earlier than the pageant. After the music is completed for the night time, the stream repeats till the following day’s broadcast begins.
One factor to notice is in earlier years the extra rock and punk-based Sonora Tent streams Weekend 1 and it’s changed by the house-centric Yuma Tent for Weekend 2.
There’s additionally the choice of Coachella’s livestream app.
Pro tip: If you’re watching on YouTube, benefit from one of many multiview choices to flip between phases with out having to take a seat by means of as many commercials.
Have questions you don’t see answered right here? Ask our experts!
