1. It gets really crowded at night, but it’s empty during the day between 1-3
The festival opens at 1 PM each day, but it’s located in the desert so it can get very hot during the daytime. Some people tend to avoid this time and attend later in the day when the weather is cooler and larger headlining musical acts perform.
2. You will walk A LOT, on average attendees walk 10-15 miles a day
The festival is massive. Sometimes it takes up to 20 minutes to get from one stage to another, especially when you have to maneuver through crowds and people. You WILL get your steps in.
3. Food and drinks are expensive
Budget accordingly because food and drink prices tend to be pricey. In 2024, a simple lemonade cost me $10, and a slice of pepperoni pizza cost $13.
4. Each weekend is three days long and there are no single day tickets
Coachella is structured into two separate but identical weekends. Each of these weekends spans three consecutive days: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Each ticket includes one full weekend or three full days. In contrast to some other festivals, there is no option to purchase single day tickets.
5. Cell service sucks and is very spotty
When thousands of people gather in one location, phone signals are bound to weaken. Over the years, cell service has become better, but it can still be very spotty. Sometimes texts are sent or received hours later.
6. Phone theft is real and around
Attenzione pickpocket! There are individuals who attend Coachella with only one agenda – to steal your phone. Several people I know have got their phone stolen, many of whom while they were dancing and enjoying the music in a crowd. Make sure to be mindful, the pickpockets are very sneaky!
7. There are 8 stages, and it sometimes takes 20 minutes to walk from stage to stage
Extending on number 2, the festival is large and it sometimes takes 20 minutes or longer to walk from stage to stage because of the distance and having to maneuver through crowds and people.
8. It gets very dusty and windy, especially at night
The festival is located in the desert where it’s dry and hot. Some years the dust is relentless and face masks are essential to prevent your lungs from being coated. Weekend 2 is generally more dusty because most of the green grass dies and turns into hay.
9. It gets cold at night, but it’s hot during the day
It’s hot during the day because, well, it’s in the desert; but, just because it’s in the desert doesn’t mean it doesn’t get cold at night – it is still Spring after all. It can get very chilly at night, especially because of the wind. Make sure to bring a jacket!
10. There are buildings or tents with AC to cool down
The advertising tents are shaded and either have blowing air or air-conditioning (AC) inside. It’s a good place to cool down if you’re overheating during the day.
11. There are different art installations every year
Each year, Coachella hires art curators to create large-scale art installations, and each year, it’s different. Sometimes the art is immersive and interactive, sometimes they’re just visually stunning to look at. It’s like an outdoor art museum, and I look forward to it every year!
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