In tIn two decades, the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival has become one of the most iconic names in entertainment. The festival stretches across two weekends, bringing the hottest musical acts, emerging fashion trends, and entrancing art installations into the desert each spring.
This Coachella Festival Guide will help chart your path to Indio, Calif., and the Empire Polo Club while offering valuable tips for surviving the crowds and scoring the best music festival tickets with ease using TicketSmarter.
What is Coachella?
Coachella is an annual music and arts festival that began in 1999 (britannica.com). Paul Tollett and Rick Van Santen founded the festival and Goldenvoice, a subsidiary of AEG Presents, is the organizer. The Coachella lineup includes a diverse group of artists from genres like rock, pop, indie, electronic dance music and hip-hop performing across multiple stages.
The inaugural event in 1999 featured Beck, Tool and Rage Against the Machine as headliners and drew 37,000 people in two days. After a year off, Coachella returned to the valley with Jane’s Addiction headlining a single-day festival.
Over the years, Coachella has evolved alongside changes in music, culture, and technology. Critics have noted a shift in focus, dubbing Coachella the “Influencer Olympics” for its major social media presence (time.com). The festival is still highly regarded as a heat check for top musical acts, with Billboard naming it Top Festival every year between 2011 and 2017 thanks to artists like The Black Keys, Snoop Dogg, Muse and Guns N’ Roses.
Coachella Lineup & Schedule
Coachella organizers typically release the lineup as close to New Year’s Day as possible, making it the first big festival of the year to do so. Coachella’s lineup poster is iconic in its own right with headliners at the top and descending lines of supporting acts. Some of the biggest names in music have performed in the Coachella lineup like Paul McCartney, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Harry Styles and Billie Eilish. Repeat performers include Rage Against the Machine, The Cure, Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Muse.
Coachella Daily Start Times: Festival gates open at 1pm daily Coachella 2025 Set Times and Essential Info | EDM Identity, with the complete breakdown of stages and set times beginning at 1 PM Pacific Daylight Time each day.
The festival runs later than your original information suggested – the YouTube livestream starts at 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET Coachella Livestream Schedule: How and When to Stream the Weekend 2 Performances for the main performances, and headliners perform much later in the evening. For example, in 2025:
- Lady Gaga plays at 11:10pm on Friday
- Travis Scott at 11:40pm
- Post Malone performs at 10:25pm on Sunday
So while gates open at 1 PM and some performances begin around that time, the major acts and headliners don’t start until much later in the day, with the festival running well past midnight. Travis Scott is scheduled for 12:00 am See the full Coachella 2025 schedule and livestream details: weekend two | The FADER (technically Sunday morning) as an example of how late the festival runs.
The 2025 festival took place April 11-13 and April 18-20, and the 2026 dates are April 10-12 & April 17-19
How Many People Attend Coachella?
In 2016, the Indio City Council raised the Coachella attendance cap from 99,000 to 125,000 per day after selling out for two consecutive years. The festival has since continued to grow, with 2019 seeing total attendance reach 250,000 people over the two weekends (worldmetrics.org). More recently, city reports noted that in 2024, Coachella sold approximately 81,690 tickets for Weekend 1 and 80,148 for Weekend 2, totaling 161,838 tickets (kesq.com). The event’s increasing popularity is a testament to both its music and its massive cultural footprint.
Coachella Festival Passes
A Festival Pass is a wristband that is worn all three days of your selected weekend. It is required to enter the parking lots, camping areas and venue grounds. Wristbands are non-transferable and must be registered in the Coachella Mobile App after purchase. Primary ticket orders are limited to four Festival Passes and two camping sites per weekend.
Music festival tickets (including Coachella passes) often come in multiple options, such as General Admission (GA), reserved seating, and VIP upgrades. For insight into seating types, GA tickets offer flexible, first-come, first-served spots, while reserved and VIP passes may offer premium experiences—learn more about choosing the right option in our Music Festival Tickets section below.
Preparation – Before the Festival
The key to festival preparation is research. Start before tickets even go on sale—plan how to go to Coachella and where you’ll stay. Coachella is known for its massive crowds, so flights and hotels book quickly. Monitoring low-fare calendars or using services like HotelPlanner that let you bundle travel costs may be helpful. The rise in demand for experiential events like Coachella is part of a broader festival business boom, as more people prize live experiences over material goods (time.com).
Calculating your own budget is important before you begin coordinating with friends because there are several different choices ahead ranging from travel to lodging. We will dive deeper into those below.
The next task is to check the weather and plan what to pack for Coachella. With the Coachella location lying in the Colorado Desert, festivalgoers should expect warm days and cool nights. Plan to pack layers so you can adjust your outfit accordingly. The three-day slate is a marathon so make sure to prioritize comfort and hydration to ensure that you can see your favorite acts with no issues.
Here are a few ideas of what to bring to Coachella:
- Reusable water bottle
- Hydration and electrolyte additives
- Flashlight
- Eye mask
- Sweatshirt or jacket
- Portable fan or cooling cloth
- Sunscreen
- Hat or sunglasses
How To Go To Coachella
If you are coming in from out of town, look for flights to the Palm Springs International Airport or Desert Resorts Regional Airport for the quickest access. Both are within a 30-minute drive of the venue. Ontario International Airport and LAX are located 92 and 144 miles away, respectively. If you choose to fly into LAX, there is an airport shuttle pass available to take you to the venue and back at the end of the weekend.
Once you’re on the ground, the best plan is to just start driving toward the Empire Polo Club. More specific instructions are available to guide festivalgoers to different Coachella parking options including free and preferred lots. Organizers suggest reviewing the festival map and closely following the signs as you approach the Empire Polo Club. If you don’t plan to bring a car, consider snagging a shuttle pass that will safely transport guests from hotels near Coachella to the festival gates and back.
Can You Camp at Coachella?
Yes! Coachella is one of the most popular camping festivals. The three main camping options at the festival are car camping, tent camping or a booking at Lake Eldorado.
Car camping is the most popular overnight option because of its flexibility and affordability. Camping sites measure 30 feet by 10 feet and allow for one car and unlimited tents within those bounds. Sites are assigned in order of arrival though, so it takes some pre-planning to get a good spot. If you want a closer camping site, you might consider upgrading to a reservation in the preferred lot.
Tent camping is a good option if you aren’t planning to drive or just want to relax in a vehicle-free environment. If you are in the latter group, this pass does include one overnight parking space in an adjacent lot. Tent camping sites measure 15 feet by 10 feet and allow for unlimited tents.
For an elevated experience, some festivalgoers will book a camping bundle at Lake Eldorado. Guests can choose between a two-person lodge or a four-person tent furnished with cots, sleeping bags and pillows as well as other exclusive amenities and a parking space.
Safari Camping is another high-end option with fully-furnished, air-conditioned tents behind the venue. This also includes private restrooms, private parking, and golf cart transportation around the campsite. Safari Residence is new in 2023 with studio-style accommodations on the Safari Campground.
Setting up Your Camp
Now, we’ll focus on car camping and tent camping since they need the most preparation. Both offer their own benefits and the choice comes down to your budget and preferences.
If you choose to camp in your car, consider purchasing fitted cushions and blackout curtains to help you sleep comfortably and recharge at the end of the day. Blankets and pillows, as well as eye masks, may help if you’re a light sleeper. Your car will serve as home base for the duration of the festival so make sure it is stocked with water, food and whatever else you may need to keep the fun going all weekend long.
If you choose to bring a tent, many of the same guidance applies. The biggest difference, however, is that this option will leave you more exposed to the elements so plan to bring fans or heaters to help control the temperature.
Either way, you will want to make sure that your campsite is easily identifiable. Decorative tapestries, lights and flags are popular options to add some personality and help you differentiate between cars and tents as you make your way around the grounds.
Tips for Coachella
There is so much to do at Coachella that it may be helpful for you and your crew to map out the options before you get there. This could include checking lineups for each stage to ensure that you see everyone you want to see, scheduling meals or rest times, and coordinating to choose a meetup spot in case you lose someone in the crowd.
A well-planned daypack is a Coachella essential since it is accessible within the festival grounds. Experienced festivalgoers often publish tips for packing your daypack with items like sunglasses, sunscreen, water bottles, portable chargers and battery-powered misting fans. Of course, any medications you may need or menstrual supplies should be added too, as well as cash or credit cards and transit cards.
Food Options at Coachella
The main destination for food and drink is the Indio Central Market. This shaded food hall features an impressive list of local and international vendors bringing their own unique twists on street food. If you are a real foodie, stop by Outstanding in the Field which is a farm-to-table experience in the VIP Rose Garden. Guests enjoy a four-course, family-style dinner with wine pairings served each night.
Music Festivals
Due to the success of Coachella, Indio Valley is also home to the Stagecoach Festival. It is one of the largest country music festivals in the country joining the ranks of Country Stampede, the CMA Music Festival and Bourbon & Beyond. Rocklahoma, Lost Lands, and the Imagine Festival are other popular camping music festivals that cater to the rock and electronic dance communities. Bonnaroo features a more eclectic lineup and is generally regarded as the best camping festival. It is held at Great Stage Park in Machester, Tenn., and has drawn artists like Foo Fighters, U2, Pearl Jam, and Billy Joel to its stages.
Music Festival Tickets: How to Find the Best Deals & Buy Safely
Music festival tickets sell out quickly so it is best to start planning as early as possible. For a lower-stress approach or to find last-minute festival tickets, consider a secondary marketplace like TicketSmarter, where you can still find passes to the best music events of the year including Coachella, Stagecoach and more.
- Types of seating: Music festivals are typically categorized into three main types: General Admission (GA), reserved seating, and VIP options. GA tickets offer flexibility and first-come, first-served access, while reserved and VIP options offer upgrades and amenities. Some festivals offer grassy/lawn areas where chairs are allowed—check festival policies and restrictions.
- Ticket pricing & savings: Festival prices are often released in tiers, with early bird tickets being the most affordable. Pricing rises as event dates approach or tiers sell out. Planning early, comparing price alerts, and acting fast on ticket drops is key.
- Where to buy: Always use official outlets or trusted resale platforms like TicketSmarter for secure ticket access, buyer protection, timely ticket delivery and pricing transparency.
- Stay protected: Only purchase through reputable sellers to avoid counterfeits or scams. TicketSmarter ensures safe, legitimate festival ticketing experiences.
Frequently Asked Music Festival Ticket Questions
What are the best platforms to find music festival tickets with guaranteed validity?
TicketSmarter is a leading platform to find music festival tickets with guaranteed authenticity and buyer protection. Whether you’re buying for Coachella or other top music festivals, TicketSmarter ensures secure transactions and transparent pricing, setting it apart among official sellers.
Where can I locate affordable tickets for major music festivals this year?
Affordable tickets for major music festivals can often be found by purchasing during early ticket release tiers, leveraging presales, or watching for last-minute ticket drops on reputable sites like TicketSmarter. Checking regularly and comparing tickets across the TicketSmarter Music Festivals News page can alert you to special deals and new festival events throughout the year.
Which ticket resale sites have the best offers for music festival access?
TicketSmarter offers competitive resale options for most major music festivals, with a full buyer guarantee, flexible delivery, and advertised face values. Browse festival-specific pages such as Bonnaroo tickets to find access to top events even after primary sales end.
What should I know about different seating options available at music festivals?
Most festivals offer General Admission (GA) for flexibility and affordability, reserved sections for guaranteed spots, and VIP areas with added perks. For example, Coachella’s GA areas allow you to pick any spot, while some venues offer upgraded reserved seating for premium viewing. Always consult TicketSmarter listings for available seating types and details on included amenities.
Who provides the best reviews for trusted music festival ticket sellers?
Ticket buyer forums, independent review sites, and social media groups often discuss experiences with platforms like TicketSmarter. Our users consistently report excellent customer service and fast, reliable ticket access for sold-out and popular festivals. For up-to-date insights, follow TicketSmarter’s Festival News and Guides.
What is the best timing for purchasing tickets to popular music festivals?
The best time to buy is typically at the earliest release (often called “early bird”) before demand drives prices higher. For some festivals, waiting until near the event can yield discounted resale tickets—but this is less predictable. Rely on alerts and notifications from TicketSmarter to stay ahead of sudden ticket releases for top festivals.
What platforms have tickets available for sold-out music festivals?
If your desired music festival is sold out, TicketSmarter can help you find verified resale passes. Our platform offers late-availability tickets to major events like Coachella, Stagecoach, and more—always with buyer protection and transparent pricing.
Written by: Jamie S.
Description: Jamie S. is a live music and festival culture enthusiast with 10+ years of industry experience, covering ticketing tips, festival guides, and fan experiences across North America. Jamie writes for TicketSmarter’s Insider, helping fans enjoy the best live events with trusted, up-to-date advice.
Updated date: September 8, 2025
