Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is one of the biggest and most influential festivals in the world, held every April in Indio, in the California desert, USA.
Spanning 2 weekends, Coachella brings together some of the world’s biggest artists across genres – from pop and hip-hop to electronic and indie – turning the desert into a global stage for music and culture!! But it’s far more than just a music festival.
Known for its iconic art installations, dreamy desert landscapes and palm tree–lined sunsets, Coachella blends music with large-scale contemporary art & immersive experiences. At the same time, it has become a global fashion phenomenon, setting trends every year and dominating social media feeds worldwide.
From legendary performances to viral moments, Coachella isn’t just an event – it’s a cultural statement and one of the most talked-about experiences on the planet!
It features:
- Global headliners (pop, hip-hop, EDM, indie, rock)
- Multiple stages happening at the same time
- Massive art installations & sculptures
- Surprise guest appearances (a Coachella signature!)
- A strong fashion + influencer culture
It’s as much about the experience and aesthetic as it is about the music.
You can read more details in the official site, click here.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Closest airport:
Palm Springs International Airport (PSP), located approximately 20 miles (32 kilometers) northwest of Indio. From Palm Springs International Airport, you can rent a car, take a shuttle bus or use rideshare services to travel to Indio. Additionally, some hotels and resorts in the area may offer shuttle services for their guests.
Other nearby airports include Ontario International Airport (ONT) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
Tickets:
First, tickets are selling fast! Ideally book them the day they are released, usually around 10 months before! They start from around $500! Angel’s tip: We booked them mid June of the previous year from this site. It was not easy as the waiting time was long!
Tickets usually include:
* General Admission (GA)
* GA + Shuttle Pass
* VIP passes (faster entry, lounges, better toilets, bars)
Important:
- Tickets often sell out in minutes during presale
- Planning starts 6–12 months in advance
- Hotels and accommodation must be booked early
When does it happen?
- Every April
- Over two consecutive weekends – Friday to Sunday
- Same lineup both weekends
Each weekend feels slightly different due to crowd energy, surprise guests, and weather shifts.
Accommodation:
Book lodging early, as nearby accommodations fill up fast. You have 3 main options:
1. Camping (most iconic experience)
- Inside the festival grounds
- Includes showers, food areas and community vibe
- Very hot in the morning, cold at night
- Best for full immersion experience
2. Hotels (Palm Springs / Indio)
- More comfort, less chaos
- Requires shuttle or driving
- Expensive during festival weekends
3. Villas / Airbnb (groups)
- Popular for influencers & groups
- Private pools, content-friendly setups
- Usually booked months in advance
Angel’s tip: We booked 10 months in advance an Airbnb in a close big resort called “Indian Palms” & I recommend it! It was 30-40 minutes walk from the festival and sometimes that taxis were difficult to find, we just walked.
Weather: Prepare for hot days & cold nights by bringing sunscreen, hats, sunglasses & layers for warmth. If u plan to be there for many hours, consider changing shoes too (girls🤣)
Hydration:
Hydration at Coachella Festival is crucial because of the hot desert climate.
There are free water refill stations throughout the festival and you’re allowed to bring reusable bottles or hydration packs (checked at entry).
With high temperatures and long hours outdoors, staying hydrated constantly is essential – not just when you feel thirsty.
Food:
Food at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is a big part of the experience and way more elevated than typical festival food.
You’ll find everything from burgers, tacos and pizza to ramen, poke bowls, vegan dishes and trendy drinks like matcha. There are also famous vendors and even high-end dining options in VIP areas.
Prices are on the higher side, around $20-30 per meal.
What to wear:
Coachella fashion is iconic on its own.
Daytime:
- Light fabrics (linen, cotton, mesh)
- Crop tops, shorts, flowy dresses
- Sneakers or boots
Evening:
- Layer up (it gets cold fast)
- Jackets, denim, hoodies
Must-haves:
- Sunglasses
- Water
- Sunscreen SPF 50+
- Small crossbody bag
Daily festival experience
A typical day looks like:
- Afternoon: arriving + exploring stages
- Sunset: peak performances + golden light magic
- Night: headliners + insane visuals + fireworks vibes
- After: after-parties or return to camp/hotel
Transportation:
1.Shuttle (BEST option)
The official Coachella shuttle is the most popular and stress-free way.
- Runs from hotels & key spots in Palm Springs, Indio, La Quinta, etc.
- Drops you very close to the entrance (short walk)
- Runs all day + late night return
- Around ~$150 for the weekend
Angel’s tip: We didn’t use it but it’s considered the easiest and most reliable way to avoid traffic and parking chaos
2.Driving / Parking
You can drive to the festival at Empire Polo Club in Indio.
- Free day parking (but fills up fast)
- Open ~11am – 2am
- Cars left after 2am get towed
- Expect heavy traffic + long exit times
3.Car Camping (VERY popular)
This is the full Coachella experience.
- Park your car at your campsite
- Stay from Thursday → Monday
- No daily commuting needed
Perfect if you want the festival lifestyle 24/7
4.Uber / Lyft (Rideshare)
- Dedicated pick-up/drop-off zones
- Works well during the day
- BUT… expect long waits at night (especially 12am–2:30am)
5.Public Transport
- Local buses (like SunLine) run in the area
- Cheap, but less convenient
- Usually requires walking or combining with other transport
6.Bike / Walk
- If you stay nearby, this is actually doable
- Bike racks available + marked paths
- Distance from central Indio ≈ 6 km
Lineup:
The lineup at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is basically the heart of the festival – it’s the full list of artists performing across all stages during the two weekends! Angel’s tip: Tickets go on sale months before the lineup is announced. So yes, you buy tickets without knowing a single artist but since Coachella has a strong reputation – lineup is almost always big!!
What “lineup” means? It includes:
- Headliners (the biggest names closing each night)
- Major acts (huge global artists performing earlier)
- Emerging artists (up-and-coming names from all over the world)
- DJs, bands, solo artists across every genre
The lineup is announced:
- Usually January
- Drops all at once as a poster (very iconic format 👀)
- Same lineup performs both weekends
How it works at the festival:
-
- Multiple stages at the same time
- You’ll have to choose between artists (yes, painful 😅)
- Set times come closer to the event
Plug Type:
In Indio and throughout the United States, the standard electric plug type is Type A and Type B. Type A has two flat parallel pins, while Type B adds a grounding pin. The standard voltage is 120V and the standard frequency is 60Hz.
Costs for COACHELLA: $1800-$1900 per person
Angel’s tips:
- Plan your schedule, but don’t over-plan
- Always charge your phone fully + bring power banks
- Bring a scarf/bandana for dust
- Stay hydrated at ALL times
- Expect long walks between stages
- Download the official Coachella app for updates, schedules, maps and other helpful information
- Every artist usually has surprise guests on stage! Shakira, Justin Bieber, Will Smith, Billie Eilish & many more have appeared as guests when I went
- Visit as many stages as you can – each one has its own unique vibe and they are all worth experiencing
- Leave space for spontaneous moments – some of the best memories happen unexpectedly
You can check more photos and videos on my social media
IG: explorewith.angel
