Coachella is kicking off festival season on April 12, so it's time to prepare for one of the year's hottest musical events. Although celebrities always look like they're having the time of their lives [1] in the desert, it does require a little bit of planning ahead of time. Regardless of whether you'll be there in person or watching the performances online, read on to see how you can prepare for the festival.
When is Coachella?
Coachella will take place the weekends of April 12-14 and April 19-21 in Indio, CA.
Who is performing at Coachella?
This year's lineup is absolutely stacked. The headliners are Childish Gambino, Ariana Grande [3], and Tame Impala, as well as Janelle Monáe, The 1975, BLACKPINK, Khalid, Billie Eilish [4], and Kid Cudi. Solange was also scheduled to perform, but had to pull her set due to production delays [5]. On the plus side, Rihanna and Donald Glover [6] will be premiering their mysterious new project [7], Guava Island. Oh, and Kanye West [8] will be hosting his popular Sunday service [9].
How do I pack for Coachella?
Figuring out what to bring to Coachella can be a doozy, especially if you've never been. If you plan on staying on the festival grounds, you'll need a tent, sleeping bags, chairs, eating utensils, and kitchen tools (if you plan on cooking). You can also camp out in your own car at the assigned sites, which you can read all about here [10].
Additional essentials and recommended items for attendees include a portable phone charger, sunscreen, a cooler with frozen water bottles and/or a refillable water bottle (remember: it's literally in a desert!), lots of snacks, and a portable mini fan. To better your experience, you can also bring some of your own forms of entertainment, such as card games and board games.
For personal hygiene, you may consider bringing hand sanitizer, face wipes (there's going to be dust), and toilet paper, because you shouldn't count on the porta-potties having wipes — sorry! As for the list of things you should know to bring but might forget anyway that would include your ticket, wristband, ID, and credit or debit card you used to purchase the ticket(s) with.
What's prohibited and allowed at Coachella?
Packing for camping is one story, but getting to the venue is another. Not everything that's allowed at the camp sites is allowed in the festival. Please remember that things such as aerosol products, air horns, animals (unless they're service animals), chairs, glass or metal containers, outside food and beverages, and nonprescription drugs are not allowed.
You can, however, bring blankets and beach towels, laptops and tablets, nonaerosol sunscreen, water bottles (not made of glass or metal), and e-cigarettes and vape pens. Read the full list of items that are prohibited and allowed at the venue here [11].
How do I dress for Coachella?
Sure, the street style at Coachella is known for being audacious [12], but really you should dress in whatever makes you feel comfortable and into the festival vibes. Whether it's a sheer garment, fringe jacket, or sporty look, this is your chance to dress as however you please. Just remember that it's going to be pretty hot during the day and cool at night. So you'll want to wear breathable and free-flowing fabrics, but bring a jacket or some sort of light outerwear with you. Check out some of last year's best outfits [13] for inspiration!
Where can I get food at Coachella?
If your snacks aren't doing the trick for you, there are vendors on site to offer up some grub. There plenty of options that accommodate different diets, including vegan restaurant Vegatinos [14] and Shake Shack [15]. View the full vendor lineup here [16].
What are the dos and don'ts of attending Coachella?
You can pretty much guess what some of the dos and don'ts are based on the answers to previous questions (i.e. do wear sunscreen and don't try to smuggle in drugs), but here are a few other suggestions to keep in mind:
- Do: Bring a few extra clothes. You never know if your planned outfits are going to end up dusty or if the weather decides to switch up.
- Don't: Bring anything expensive or valuable. You don't want to end up losing anything that's super important to you.
- Do: Remember to stay hydrated and fed throughout the day. We know you want to focus of capturing the perfect selfie, but your health is more important than Instagram likes!
- Don't: Spend too much time on your phone. If you're spending hundred of dollars to be there, take in the moment. That being said, be sure to snap some good pictures to look back on!
- Do: Remember that the day is jam-packed with shows, so you won't get to see all of them. It might feel overwhelming, but just prioritise which performances you definitely want to see.
- Don't: Be afraid to show up early for a show to get good seats. There's absolutely no shame in trying to beat the crowd and waiting around for your favourite artist to hit the stage. This is your experience, after all!
Can I watch Coachella online?
Yep! In fact, for the first time ever, Coachella will be live-streamed both weekends instead of just weekend one. If you're unable to attend, you can enjoy the performances from the comfort of your own home by watching them on YouTube [17].