Thinking of going to Coachella music festival for the first time? Feeling overwhelmed and don't know what to expect? Then you’ve come to the right place! This Ultimate First Timer’s Guide to Coachella will provide you with everything you need to know before you go. From what to wear and what to pack to essential tips before and during the festival, we've got you covered so that you can make the most out of your first time experience.

Coachella is perhaps the most iconic music festival in the world and had been on our bucketlist for years. I am a chronic planner and overthinker, so I researched every scrap of information available online to prepare us for our first Coachella to ensure that we “did it right”.

Now, after attending Coachella myself, I know what tips were important and learned so much from our firsthand experience. That is why I created this guide – to share what I wish I had known beforehand and everything you need to know to survive your first Coachella. Hopefully this guide takes the stress away from planning your first Coachella so that you can just focus on the excitement.

This first timer’s guide contains a TON of information and tips, so if you are looking for something specific you can use the clickable table of contents below to quickly navigate to that section.

Table of Contents Show

Again, this is a long post with a lot of detailed information and tips, so save this post to reference back to later using the Pinterest image above!

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase through one of these links we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you, helping to fund our future travels. For more information, read our Disclosures page.

Our Coachella First Time Experience Video

Subscribe

Along with this Ultimate First Timer’s Guide to Coachella, you can watch the video above to see our own first time experience at Coachella 2023, live in action. Throughout the video we also share the tips that we learned along the way.

If you enjoy the video, please give it a “thumbs up” and consider subscribing! We would really appreciate it. Now, onto the guide!

What you should know about Coachella music festival

what you should know about Coachella, Coachella guide — *A panoramic view of the Coachella (Main) Stage at night*

What is Coachella?

Everyone has heard of Coachella, perhaps the most famous and iconic music festival around the world. But what is Coachella? If you're a music lover who enjoys good vibes, high energy, and an unforgettable experience, then Coachella is the music festival for you.

An annual event held at Indio’s Empire Polo Club in California, Coachella features a diverse lineup of musicians, artists, and performers from all over the world. Known for its bohemian atmosphere, fashion-forward crowd, and Instagram-worthy moments, Coachella is much more than just a music festival. It's a cultural phenomenon that celebrates creativity, expression, and individuality.

From iconic headliners to emerging artists, Coachella offers a unique blend of music genres, ranging from alternative rock to hip-hop, electronic, and pop. Whether you're a die-hard fan of a particular artist or simply looking to discover new music, Coachella has something for everyone!

Important Dates to Know

If you’re planning on attending Coachella, there are important dates you’ll want to keep in mind starting nearly a year in advance of the festival! But Coachella isn’t until April, so why do you need to worry about it a year in advance? Tickets tend to sell out, especially for Weekend 1, so you’ll want to know when tickets go on presale (in June the year before) and officially go on sale (in January) so you don’t miss out.

Here are all of the important dates you’ll want to keep an eye out for:

Pre-sale: Pre-sale for Coachella tickets usually occurs in June of the prior year.
Lineup announced: This lineup is typically revealed in the first week of January.
Tickets go on sale: The official tickets generally go on sale in January, right after the festival's lineup is announced.
Schedule is released: The schedule for the event is usually released a week before (or often times mere days before) the festival begins in April.
Festival: The Coachella music festival generally takes place over the 2 weekend of mid-April. Coachella 2024 will take place April 12-14 and April 19-21, 2024.

How much does it really cost to attend Coachella?

Attending the Coachella music festival is an unforgettable experience, but it does come with a hefty price tag. Of course, the exact cost of attending Coachella can vary significantly based on individual preferences and lifestyle.

The first and most significant expense is the festival ticket itself. General admission passes cost between $549 and $649 (depending on when you are able to buy them), while Shuttle combo tickets cost $649 to $749. VIP passes cost $1,119 to $1,399, which provide access to exclusive areas and amenities.

Accommodation is another considerable expense, with Coachella on-site camping options starting at $102 and hotel packages that can run up to $2000 or more, depending on the location and luxury level. Transportation costs can also add up, especially if you're traveling from a different city or state. Depending on the mode of transport and distance, it can range from $100 to $500.

Food and drinks at the festival are also an added expense, with meals averaging around $15 and drinks ranging from $10-20, depending on what you order. It's also common to spend money on Instagram-worthy festival outfits and accessories, which can cost anywhere from $50 to a few hundred dollars. Lastly, miscellaneous costs like festival merchandise or locker rentals could also add a further $75-$100 to your budget.

So, all in all, a weekend at Coachella can cost anywhere from $800 to $4000 or more, depending on how extravagant you want your experience to be.

Before the festival: Tips for preparing for Coachella

Preparing for coachella, what you need to know before coachella

To make the most out of your Coachella experience, preparation is key. First-timers need to be aware of some essential tips and tricks long before the day of the festival arrives.

Buy your tickets

First thing’s first. If you want to attend Coachella, you’ll need to secure your tickets.

Option 1: Official ticket sales

As you already learned from the “important dates” section, Pre-sale tickets go on sale in June the year prior to the festival. That’s a long time in advance, so you may have already missed it. No worries! Tickets officially go on sale in January after the lineup is announced.

Tickets for both pre-sale and the official sale tend to sell out quickly (especially for Weekend 1), so you’ll want to act fast and be prepared to purchase at the exact date and time that tickets drop.

Option 2: Buying from Resellers

Missed both the pre-sale and the official ticket sale? You’re not out of luck yet. Tickets are always available for resale on sites such as Ticketmaster and Stubhub. Websites like these will come with hefty fees and you will often end up paying more than face value, but it comes with peace of mind as these websites will have to uphold the validity of the tickets.

You can also buy them directly from people looking to sell their tickets from Reddit and Facebook resale groups, but make sure to be cautious to avoid scams. Always request photo ID that matches the ticket receipt and, whenever possible, make the exchange in person and register the wristband in front of the seller before paying.

You might be able to get tickets for less than face value last minute

This is a tip that we learned from a friend who is a longtime Coachella-goer veteran: if you wait until the last minute, it is possible to snag tickets for less than face value. This is how our friend has been attending Coachella for years – waiting until the weeks or even days before the festival to buy tickets from individuals who can no longer attend last minute and are desperate to recoup any of their money, listing their tickets for cheaper pNrices.

This is actually what Peter and I did unintentionally as we decided to attend Coachella only a few weeks before the festival, long after tickets had sold out from the official Coachella website. This meant our only option was purchasing through a reseller. I checked Ticketmaster and Stubhub every day and eventually was able to snag tickets for Weekend 1 for under face value about 3 weeks before the festival date.

However, be aware that this method comes with risks. You might wait until the last minute and end up having to pay high prices if you are committed to going and prices never drop. Sometimes surprise artists are added to the lineup close to the festival and resale ticket prices soar.

Also, if you wait until the last minute to secure accommodation and transport, things may be completely sold out or only available for exorbitant prices. If you are committed to going to Coachella, I would definitely secure these things in advance even if you decide to gamble on buying tickets last minute.

Secure transportation and accommodation ahead of time

Now that you’ve got your tickets figured out, it’s time to plan your transportation and accommodation for your Coachella weekend.

Ensure you plan your transportation ahead of time to avoid any unexpected delays or confusion.

Flights

If you’re traveling from out of state, you can book your flights into Palm Springs International Airport (PSP). Alternatively, you can fly into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) which will have more availability and cheaper prices, but will mean a 3 hour or more commute to Coachella Valley. (Coachella does offer a shuttle from LAX for $125 + fees). Try to book flights 2+ months in advance to get the best prices.

Then you need to consider how you will be getting to the polo field each day of the festival: by shuttle or by car.

Shuttles

Coachella offers shuttle passes for $120 + fees but these can sell out in advance, so if you want to use the shuttle make sure to purchase passes as soon as possible. The shuttles depart regularly from local hotels and other “park and ride” locations if you don’t want to worry about driving to Coachella. The full list of stops becomes available closer to the festival, so make sure to check the official Coachella Shuttles page.

Car / Parking

If you are driving into the area and will have your own car (or plan to rent one), you can drive to the festival each day and park in the designated parking lots. Parking at Coachella is totally free!

If you’re from out of town and plan on renting a car, make sure to do so long in advance as the favorable rental car options may sell out.

My top tip for those planning to drive themselves and park at Coachella: arrive as early as possible in the day for the best parking spots. When you enter the parking lot, you will be directed where to park. Those who arrive early get the places closer to the entrance of the festival and generally closer to the exit which makes things easier for you at the end of the night.

Accommodation

It's important to note that accommodations, especially those closest to the festival, tend to book up quickly, so it's recommended to plan and secure your stay as early as possible. If you wait until the last-minute, you may face price surges or sold-out options.

Which leads us to the next question – where should you stay for Coachella?

Where to stay to attend Coachella

When attending the Coachella music festival, there are several accommodation options to consider based on your preferences and budget.

Hotels

You can book a hotel in nearby Indio, Indian Wells, La Quinta, or Palm Springs, where a variety of options from luxury resorts to budget-friendly chains are available. Indio hotels will be closer and more convenient to the festival, but Palm Springs is where you will find the bougie parties and star-studded events. You will need to decide what is more important to you and your group, but there is something available for every travel style.

Indio Hotels (10-15 minutes from the festival grounds)

Budget: Motel 6-Indio, Days Inn by Wyndham Indio, Best Western Date Tree Hotel
Mid-range: Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Indio, Hampton Inn & Suites, Holiday Inn Express Indio

Indian Wells / Palm Desert Hotels (about 15-20 minutes from the festival grounds)

Budget: Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Palm Desert, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Palm Desert

Mid-range: Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa, Residence Inn Palm Desert
Luxury: Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa

Palm Springs Hotels (40min to 1hr from the festival grounds)

Budget: The V powered by Sonder, Motel 6-Palm Springs, The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa
Mid-range: The Saguaro Palm Springs, Avalon Hotel and Bungalows, Ace Hotel and Swim Club
Luxury: The Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage, L'Horizon Resort & Spa Hermann Bungalows

Explore more of the available hotels in the Coachella Valley using the Booking.com search widget below.

Hotel Packages

Coachella also offers hotel packages for a variety of hotels in the area. These packages include stay for the entirety of the Coachella weekend, Coachella passes for the weekend of your choice, and any line shuttle passes for 2-4 people. These packages start at $3,099 (+ taxes and fees) and climb in price up to nearly $10,000.

Hotel packages may be a great option for you and your group if you don’t want to deal with the logistics of booking every aspect of the trip separately, but this convenience will come at a steeper price tag. Also, they sell out far in advance (starting with the advance ticket sale in June!) so keep that in mind.

Airbnb

Besides hotels, many attendees opt for rental houses or condos through platforms like Airbnb, providing more space and amenities than a hotel room. Here you can have a kitchen to make food to perhaps save some money on your Coachella trip. Another perk if you are coming with a large group is that you can rent a home to house your entire party rather than multiple hotel rooms.

On the other hand, most Airbnb’s have strict rules about cleaning, noise, and parties, which may not make it the best place to host your festival going group depending on the vibes you are going for.

Camping

For those seeking a more immersive festival experience, Coachella offers a variety of onsite camping options. Luxury tents, yurts, and teepees are available if you want to camp in style, but these will cost you anywhere from $3,200 up to $11,000 (+ taxes and fees)!

Alternatively, you can bring your own tent or car camp for a more traditional Coachella camping experience. Car camping and tent camping passes start at $149 + taxes and fees. This could be a fun and immersive way to experience the festival, but make sure to bring plenty of earplugs if you want to get any sleep. You will also have to bring all of your camping gear and be able to arrive early on Thursday to secure a decent campsite.

Read the Coachella Camping page for more details about each available option. And, you guessed it, if you want to partake in Coachella camping then be sure to buy your camping passes far in advance before they sell out.

Buy what you need for the festival in advance

I probably sound like a broken record by now, but preparation is key for a successful Coachella! Prepare yourself for the festival by buying what you need long in advance. Check out our complete packing list to get an understanding of everything that you’ll need!

Buying what you need in advance means you’ll have plenty of time for shipping, returns and re-purchasing different options if needed, and you won’t have to worry about items you want selling out (like accessories for your epic Coachella outfit).

Not sure what you need? Check out our in-depth packing list to learn everything you need for Coachella!

Plan your outfits: What to wear to Coachella

What to wear to Coachella, Coachella guide

When it comes to dressing for Coachella, comfort and style are equally important. The desert heat can be intense, so you'll want to wear clothing that is breathable and lightweight. If possible with your outfit of choice, opt for loose-fitting fabrics like cotton or linen that won't cling to your skin. Luckily, wearing very thin or little clothing to stay cool is A-OK!

It's also a good idea to wear a hat to protect your face and scalp from the sun. Peter bought a cheap bucket hat from Amazon that matched his outfit (it comes in tons of colors!) and ended up wearing it all weekend and beyond.

As far as style goes, anything goes at Coachella. This is the perfect opportunity to show off your unique fashion sense. Whether you choose to rock a bohemian maxi dress or opt for a more edgy look with ripped denim and a band tee, the key is to wear something that makes you feel confident and fabulous.

Another thing to keep in mind when it comes to fashion at Coachella is practicality. You'll be walking around a lot and standing in crowds, so it's important to wear comfortable shoes that can handle the wear and tear. Sneakers or sandals with good arch support are a great choice.

Overall, the key to dressing for Coachella is to strike a balance between comfort and style. With the right clothing and accessories, you'll be able to fully enjoy the festival without worrying about discomfort or fashion faux pas.

Listen to new artists from the lineup

Your outfits are planned and looking fleek, you have everything you need ready to go – now it’s time to get hyped for the upcoming festival! And the best way to get excited for the festival is by listening to new artists from the lineup. Not only will it help you get prepared for the festival so you know what to expect, but it’s a great way to discover new favorites.

Peter and I both went down the lineup and listened to songs from artists we had not heard of before and ended up discovering artists we really enjoyed and some even became top favorites!

After getting to know the lineup, you will be prepared to create your game plan when the schedule is released in the week leading up to the festival.

Read up on the Coachella subreddit

If you are planning to attend your first Coachella, I would highly recommend following and reading up on the Coachella subreddit. It offers a wealth of information and you can search through years of firsthand experiences and tips.

The Coachella subreddit was a huge help for a couple of newbies like us for what to expect from our first Coachella. It has everything from how to prepare, what to bring, experiences of longtime chella-goers, and a community of people all passionate about the festival there to answer any of your questions along the way.

Even if you don’t have questions, it’s a great way to get hyped for Coachella in advance and reminisce about it all after its over and the excitement hasn’t yet worn off.

Link: Coachella Subreddit

Plan your lineup schedule

About a week or sometimes just a couple days before the festival, Coachella will release the official schedule for the festival with the complete lineup by time slots for all of the stages for all 3 days. Finding out the schedule is always extremely exciting and at times disappointing when you discover that 2 of your top choice artists are playing at the same time at different stages…

Now for the hard part: planning your lineup schedule. You’ll have to decide where you want to be, prioritize your favorite sets, and make a game plan. Try to plan for breaks so you don’t exhaust yourself and leave free time to explore the rest of the

Take a screenshot of the lineup and festival map

One thing that we did that was helpful was to take a screenshot of the lineup and highlight the sets we wanted to go to so that we could visually see where we needed to be and when, and when we had breaks to discover the other things that Coachella had to offer.

This wasn’t AS important as I was led to believe during my own festival planning research, however, because at the Information kiosks they will actually give you a folded printout of the map + lineup! Regardless, I would still take screenshots of the lineup and map to have on your phone. Printouts are handy but can also easily be lost or misplaced, and you don’t want to end up lost or unsure of where you’re supposed to head next.

Pack your bag ahead of time

You could do this weeks before or the night before the festival, but I wouldn’t recommend waiting until the last minute to test your packing plan. Packing ahead of time will also allow you to go over your inventory and make sure you have everything that you need.

There are lots of items you won't want to forget to bring, such as sunscreen, a refillable water bottle, and comfortable shoes. You don’t want to be stressed out the morning of the festival trying to pack and realize there’s something that you forgot! Save yourself the stress and pack your bags ahead of time.

Complete Packing List for Coachella

When it comes to packing for Coachella, there are a few must-have items that you won't want to leave at home to ensure that you enjoy the festival to the fullest.

Here we will list the essential items to pack for Coachella overview, but make sure to check out our in-depth Coachella packing list guide! There we will provide the complete packing list (including everything you need to pack for before and during the festival), with explanations and relevant tips for each item, what to wear, and more.

Keep in mind, this packing list does not include what you might need for Coachella camping (camping gear, food, etc), but rather focuses on what you would bring with you to the festival each day. Be sure to check the Coachella Rules page for the latest allowed and not allowed items.

Coachella Packing List Overview

Coachella Wristband. (on your wrist)
Phone. Duh!
ID. Bring this every day to get in + to buy alcohol.
Credit Card. No cash is needed.
Sunscreen. My favorite face sunscreen is COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF50.
Allergy medicine. To combat “Coachella cough”.
Nasal spray. To clear out the dust from your nose before the fest, but leave in the car.
Hairspray. (But leave in the car) My personal favorite hairspray is the TRESemmé Extra Hold Hairspray.
Pregame drinks. (But leave in the car)
Snacks. Eat before the festival, but leave in the car.
Fanny pack or small backpack. We bought this cheap, simple fanny pack from Amazon.

Refillable Water Bottle. Like this Pogo Plastic Water Bottle with Soft Straw Lid and Carry Handle.
Sunglasses. We love our polarized aviator Ray Bans.
Hat. Peter wore a cheap bucket hat from Amazon that matched his outfit (it comes in tons of colors).
Earplugs. Protect your ears! The Eargasm High Fidelity Earplugs are highly recommended.
Hand sanitizer. Lots of people means lots of germs.
Bandana / Face covering. To protect from dust. I used a pashmina scarf that also helped keep me warm at night.
Sweater / Scarf / Coverup. Like this puffer jacket from Amazon, for at night when it gets cold.
Wear comfortable, close-toed shoes. You’ll be on your feet all day!
Chapstick. The desert is sure to dry out your lips.
Camera / GoPro. Such as the Canon PowerShot G7X or GoPro camera (which we used).

Battery Pack. We recommend this power bank from Anker.
Liquid IV. Stay hydrated, bring a few Liquid IV packets.
Bandaids. I prefer the flexible fabric bandaids.
Wipes. A travel size pack of wet wipes is always nice to have in case of messes.
Compact mirror. They even make compact mirrors with built in lights now!
Travel size pack of Advil. I always like to have a travel size Advil on hand.
Hair tie. Always good to have.
Toilet paper. Just a little in case the toilets run out.

This list should give you a general idea of the items to pack for your Coachella weekend, but again, make sure to read the complete Coachella Packing List guide for more details and everything you should pack – from things to bring and leave in the car / at the hotel, must-haves for the festival, and nice to have items.

Day of the Festival: Tips before you head into Coachella

Coachella first-timers guide, Coachella tips

It’s finally here, the day that you’ve been waiting for! But before you head into the festival, here are some tips that will help set you up for success.

Drink lots of water before you go to the festival

The overarching theme of this entire guide is clearly “stay hydrated”! And it helps if you start with a good foundation before you even arrive at the festival.

Do yourself a favor and drink lots of water throughout the morning before you head into the festival each day. It’s a lot easier to drink water while you’re getting ready at your hotel or accommodation than when you’re running around the festival, busy dancing and having fun, and it will give you a solid “hydration foundation” for later.

Have a good, hearty meal before you leave

Make sure to eat a a well-balanced, hearty meal before you leave for Coachella each day. You’ll want to have a good base to start the day and you’ll need the energy for all of that walking across the polo field and dancing you’ll be doing.

Plus, having a good hearty lunch (or brunch!) before you get into the festival means saving some money. The meals we had at Coachella averaged around $15 for a relatively small portion. A churro or soft pretzel alone cost $8! So enjoy a meal at your accommodation or in town before heading into the festival and you will have one less meal to pay for in the festival, and will most likely get more bang for your buck.

Take allergy medicine before you leave

This may or may not apply to you if you don’t suffer from allergies often, but the Coachella dust is notorious for wreaking havoc even on those who don’t normally experience allergies.

Since we were staying in the Coachella Valley, both Peter and I were experiencing allergy symptoms all week leading up to the festival such as a stuffy nose and watery, itchy eyes.

So if you usually experience allergies, consider taking allergy medicine before the festival each day. We did this and I think it really helped.

If you can, go early for less crowds and better parking

If you’re driving to Coachella each day like we did, my suggestion for you is to go early for better parking.

Not only will you get parked in a near empty lot with better placement closer to the exit, you will also have a slightly shorter walk into the festival. AND because you showed up earlier, you will have some time to enjoy a not-so-overcrowded Coachella! This would be the perfect opportunity to buy merch, ride the ferris wheel, or explore more of what Coachella has to offer.

At the end of the night you will be thanking yourself when you go to leave and are parked closer to the exit. We only had to wait 30 minutes to get out on Friday night and I read about others waiting for up to 2 hours just to get out of the parking lot!

If you drink, consider having a pregame drink in the parking lot to save some money

This tip may only apply to you if you enjoy partaking in adult beverages, as we do.

This is a “pro-gamer move” that we noticed other Coachella veterans doing that we will keep in mind for next time and share with you now. Like the food and everything else at Coachella, the alcoholic beverages will be crazy expensive (I’m talking like $16 for a craft beer, $20 for a cocktail). So, bring some drinks to share with your group in the parking lot and during the walk to the Coachella entrance to save a little money.

We saw a ton of people doing this – drinking right up until security at the entrance and then throwing out their empties – and no one got in trouble. And it’s a long walk in the hot sun from the parking lot to the entrance, so why not enjoy a cold one along the way?

It’s about a mile walk from the parking lot or shuttle drop off to the Coachella entrance

One thing to note that not many people talk about is the long walk from the parking lot and shuttle drop off area to the Coachella entrance. Regardless of where you park it is about a mile walk, though it could be longer depending on when you show up and where you get placed in the parking lot. This is nothing compared to the amount of walking you will get inside the festival, exploring the grounds and walking from stage to stage, but it is important to be aware of.

During this walk there is little to no shade cover and you will be in the scorching hot sun with 2 different checkpoints. The first checkpoint is to scan your wristband for entry and the second for security / search of your bags. The first part of the walk is on dusty gravel – our shoes and legs got covered in this fine dirt especially at the end of the night with so many people walking back to the parking lot. The second part of the walk is on pavement and grass. It isn’t a bad walk, but it is a decent walk.

At the Festival: Tips for surviving your first Coachella

Tips for surviving your first Coachella, Coachella guide

Or should I say “Tips for surviving AND thriving for your first Coachella”!

Once you've arrived at Coachella, it's important to take steps to ensure you have an enjoyable and safe experience.

What are the different stages at Coachella?

First things first. You’ll want to have a general understanding of the different stages at Coachella to get a lay of the land and help you gauge where you’ll want to spend your time. Each stage tends to lean towards a certain genre or vibe, so you’ll want to know the basics.

There are 7 primary stages at Coachella which are covered in the main lineup released a few days before the festival begins. Along with these, there are 3 additional stages / spaces definitely worth noting.

The stages and general layout of the festival grounds remain the same from year to year – below is the festival map from 2023 for you to get an idea. Be sure to check the official Coachella Maps page for the latest venue map when it is released.

Coachella festival map — *Coachella 2023 venue map. Image source:* *official Coachella website*.

Now I’ll go into a bit of detail about each of the 7 primary stages:

Coachella Stage (The Main Stage). This is where the biggest headliners will perform at the end of each night. Here you will find the highest production value and the largest crowds. The sound from the Coachella stage can be heard across the festival grounds with speakers set up throughout the field. There is not really any shade or coverage here. To the right of the stage is a dedicated bar area.
Outdoor Theatre. The second biggest stage at Coachella, to the right of the main Coachella Stage. It also features some big name artists, with the genre depending on the artist. Also not much shade available.
Mojave Tent. The second largest tent stage, primarily featuring indie rock bands and other growing artists. Good production and generally isn’t too crowded.
Gobi Tent. Another tent stage usually hosting up and coming artists. A great place to relax in the shade and get away from the crowds, as it usually isn’t too crowded.
Sahara Tent. A massive airplane-hanger-like tent found right near the entrance to the festival grounds. It primarily features electronic dance music (EDM) with the occasional hip hop artist in the mix. Sahara has the highest production value of all of the tent stages, with lasers, lights, and an updated set design each year.
Yuma Tent. A small indoor tent with air-conditioning – the perfect place to cool off, if you can get in. The Yuma tent has a limited capacity and usually there is a line to enter. It has wooden floors and more of a club aesthetic, primarily hosting underground and electronic DJs. It is fully enclosed and has incredible sound quality, with no sound from the other stages getting in.
Sonora Tent. A smaller indoor tent stage. It mostly features latin and punk rock artists.

Here are the 3 additional stages that aren’t on the main lineup schedule, but are just as important:

Do Lab. The Do Lab is a brightly colored tent stage known for its fun, immersive experience with artistic installations and cutting-edge electronic music that will keep you dancing day and night. It receives its own lineup schedule separate from the main lineup.
Heineken House. An open-air, covered structure with a stage and bars on site. There is usually a DJ varying in genre from hiphop, funk, or trap and the atmosphere is generally a dance party. There are also fans blasting cool mist on the crowd, so come here to cool down, grab a drink, and dance!
Despacio. Rather than a stage, Despacio is an enclosed, custom-built, 50,000-watt, 360-degree sound system that exclusively plays vinyl records. Here, the focus is on the music and sound quality and there are minimal visual distractions. “Despacio” is Spanish for “slowly”, and the music and vibe reflects this. It is definitely a once in a lifetime experience worth checking out.

It’s only a 10-15 minute walk between stages

Shown above: Ashnikko’s incredible performance at the Gobi stage

Just to help you plan your schedule: it is only about a 10-15 minute walk at most between stages, depending on the crowds.

As a Coachella first timer, this was one thing I was really worried about beforehand, having no concept of distance based on the Coachella map. And it is probably something that seems so obvious to Coachella veterans that no one says it online!

After the lineup was announced, I realized that I had many overlapping sets on my wishlist and I wasn’t sure if it would be possible to split my time between stages. Now I can confidently tell you that it is possible to catch the first half of one set and the second half of another at a different stage during the same time slot.

However, with that said, I wouldn’t recommend doing it too often as you will have to fight through crowds and it will be stressful. Save this for your most important artists and most demanding schedule conflicts.

Go to an Information kiosk

After entering the Coachella festival grounds, the first thing that I would recommend doing is going to one of the information kiosks. They are located throughout the festival grounds so stop by early in the day on your way to a water refill station or before your first set of the day.

At the info kiosk, they can answer all of your questions and point you in the right direction. But perhaps the biggest selling point is that they will provide you with a printed map and lineup schedule!

This was super helpful for us and we referred to it often. Rather than checking our phone constantly and wasting precious battery life, we were able to check our printed map / schedule whenever we needed to. And it’s a completely free resource, so why not utilize it.

Stay safe: Be aware of your surroundings

It's also important to be aware of your surroundings and take steps to keep yourself and your belongings safe. Make sure to keep an eye on your personal items and never leave them unattended. If you have a bag, try to keep it in front of you were you can keep an eye on it. This is why I really recommend having a fanny pack.

Unfortunately, wherever there are large gatherings of people there will be pickpocketing and petty theft. In particular, phones being pickpocketed out of the back pockets of festival goers is a known issue at Coachella.

It gets really hot during the day

Mentally prepare yourself now – it’s going to get really hot during the day at Coachella. Coachella is in the desert, after all! And yet, we somewhat underestimated just how intense the desert sun would be at its zenith. It’s going to be hot, you will get sweaty and a little uncomfortable.

Daily high temperatures often reach the 90 degree F range and beyond, even in the low 100 degrees sometimes! Did I mention how important it is to stay hydrated?

During the peak sun hours of the day, take the opportunity to experience some of the covered tent stages. If you need a break from the heat, I especially recommend Yuma for its air conditioning, Heineken House and Do Lab for their misting fans, or the Sonora tent or Despacio for their fully enclosed and cool spaces.

It gets really cold at night!

After experiencing the baking hot desert heat during the day, it’s hard to imagine how cold it becomes once the sun sets. We seriously underestimated this one. The desert at night is no joke! Even after sweating and being overheated all day, you will wish you had a coat once night comes.

For this reason, I highly recommend bringing a light coat, cardigan, or shawl you can pack down into your bag during the day and will have to cover up at night once the chill sets in. You can also rent a locker in advance from Coachella where you can store your group’s coats, but then you have to wait in long locker lines so I would avoid this if you can carry it.

We were literally shivering during Bad Bunny’s set on Friday night and it took away from our enjoyment of the experience, which is a shame. Learn from our mistakes! For the remainder of the festival we brought our light puffer jackets which pack down super small in a pouch (like these puffer jackets from Amazon) which we just tied to the straps of our fanny packs.

It could get dusty

By now in this Coachella first timer’s guide you will be familiar with the dreaded Coachella dust and resulting “Coachella cough” and cold-like symptoms. Coachella takes place in a flat polo field in the middle of the desert, so it’s little wonder why this dust occurs. Hundreds of thousands of festival goers stomping across the field, stirring up dirt, and the frequent windy desert days all contribute to the dust.

Come prepared for the dust with some sort of face covering to help minimize your intake. This could be a face mask, bandana, shawl, buff, or scarf – the possibilities are endless.

Peter and I brought spare N95 face masks from home just in case things got really bad (they pack flat in our bags so why not), but luckily for us we never experienced any serious dust storms during our Coachella weekend. The few times things got dusty, I covered my face with my pashmina scarf that also served to keep me warm at night.

There are tons of Water Refill stations so bring a water bottle!

Coachella has numerous water refill stations across the festival grounds, and they are totally free to use! Bring a refillable water bottle and utilize these water refill stations, which will help you to stay hydrated AND save you money since you won’t be buying countless bottles of water throughout the day.

Just be aware that no glass bottles or containers are allowed into the festival, so make sure that your water bottle is plastic or metal. And make sure that it is empty before you enter the festival (if you happen to forget you can always dump it in the grass just before you reach the security check point).

Bringing a refillable water bottle leads me smoothly into my next Coachella tip –

Stay hydrated!!!

Perhaps the most important Coachella tip: stay hydrated. The desert heat can be intense, and dehydration is a serious risk. Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day and refill your water bottle at the free filling stations around the festival often.

I already told you how hot it can get during the day at Coachella, so it is extremely important to keep up with your water intake and stay hydrated during the festival. It can be easy to forget to drink water when you are busy dancing and singing to your favorite artists or enjoying more fun, adult beverages.

There are sunscreen stations throughout the festival

We’ve mentioned the intense desert sun a few times now, so it goes without saying that sunscreen will be important. Thankfully, in 2023 Coachella started placing Neutrogena sunscreen stations throughout the festival grounds!

So there is no need for you to bring your sunscreen into the festival (unless you have a brand that you love and want to reapply throughout the day – I brought my favorite face sunscreen COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF50 that goes on light like lotion and doesn’t leave white streaks). But either way it is definitely still worth bringing sunscreen, applying it before you head into the festival, and leaving it in the car since it is a long walk to the festival entrance and you won’t know where the first sunscreen station will be.

*Note: I assume that Coachella will continue to offer the sunscreen stations every year, but make sure to double check this before the fest and bring your sunscreen into the festival if not.

Buy merch early in the day or during popular sets to avoid long waits

Coachella is an incredible experience that you will remember for the rest of your life, so you may want to memorialize it with some official Coachella merch that you can enjoy for years to come. And every year Coachella releases merch with updated, limited edition designs and styles.

There are only 2 problems about the official Coachella merchandise: it isn’t cheap and it is usually a long wait in order to purchase. Like everything at Coachella, the merchandise was rather expensive ($75 for a crewneck sweatshirt that I bought) but that is somewhat to be expected. However, the line at the merchandise tent is usually crazy long with ridiculously long wait times. Apparently, they have started to add more registers to try to combat this, but we talked to people who had waited in line for 2 hours just to buy merch!

If you are hoping to pick up some Coachella merchandise and don’t want to wait in line for 2 hours, you have a couple options. My recommendation for you would be to either buy merch as early in the day as possible before the crowds arrive at the festival or go during a popular set when most people will be occupied.

We went to the merch tent on Saturday night during Calvin Harris’ set and only had to wait 30 minutes. But then you have to sacrifice seeing a popular set, so I would suggest option one if you can get to the festival as early as possible. Otherwise, be prepared for a long wait.

Additionally, keep in mind that popular styles tend to sell out quickly. So if there’s an item you’ve got your heart set on, try to visit the merch tent early in the festival weekend in order to snag it. Early in the day on Friday before the crowds show up would be the perfect time to do this if possible.

There are real, flushing toilets in the center of the festival grounds

Yes, there are real bathrooms you can use instead of just porta-potties! With flushing toilets and running water sinks to wash your hands. Unfortunately on the venue map it doesn’t differentiate, but there is a large building near the center of the festival that clearly labeled as “Restrooms”, with one side for men and another side for women. Since they are large the line moved pretty quickly too.

The porta-potties genuinely weren’t that bad though. If you use them near the beginning of the day, they will be clean and won’t smell much. As the day goes and they sit in the baking hot sun, things get a little riper… By the end of the night each day the porta-potties were smelly and a mess. To be fair, the flushing toilets also got messier through the day but at least they weren’t as smelly/gross.

Just so you know what you’re getting into.

The toilets might run out of toilet paper

Regardless of whether you end up using the flushing toilets or the porta-potties, be aware that by the end of the night many of the toilets were out of toilet paper. We experienced this all 3 nights of the festival, with the availability of toilet paper being unpredictable. Not much of an issue for guys, but just letting all of my fellow festival-going ladies out there know the situation.

As we mentioned in the packing list, it wouldn’t hurt to bring a few sheets or a small roll of toilet paper with you in your bag. It doesn’t take up much space and then you’ll have it in case of emergencies.

Cell service wasn’t reliable

Our cell service worked perfectly fine for 75% of the time, which was honestly way better than I was expecting based on what I read of other people’s experiences beforehand. From what I had researched, in the past others experienced zero cell service since the area was flooded with tens of thousands of people all in a small field that normally doesn’t have such cellular demand.

Maybe this has been corrected now, or maybe we just got lucky with our cell provider (we have Google Fi which uses T-Mobile, in case you were wondering). Either way, it doesn’t hurt to be prepared for the worst.

There were even a couple times for us that our service halted to a crawl, like in the crowd for the headliners at the end of the night.

One clever tip that Peter read online was to message your group with time stamps just in case the message doesn’t send for awhile. Example: “5:00pm I’m at the Indio Central Market”. So if they receive the message at 7pm they will know 1. your messages aren’t sending right away and 2. you’re probably not still at the Market.

On that note…

Decide on a meeting spot with your group

To be safe, decide on a meeting spot ahead of time with your group or anyone you are going with just in case you get separated.

Even though Peter and I were only ever apart to use the restrooms, we still picked a meeting spot just in case. You never know how and when you could get separated and if your cell phones will choose that moment to lose reception.

Be prepared for lines and don’t let it get you down

There are over 100,000 attendees of Coachella PER DAY. Just go into Coachella knowing that there will be lines for almost everything and you will have to wait in those lines for longer than you might like. If you go into the festival knowing that, then you won’t be disappointed or surprised by it.

In fact, sometimes the lines were fun as it gave us a chance to meet new people and chat for awhile before conveniently parting ways.

And to be honest, Peter and I never waited in a line (for food, bathrooms, entrance into a stage or club, etc) for longer than 30 minutes. But we did strategize when we would hit certain things in order to avoid the crowds as much as possible, such as visiting the merch tent at 1am rather than in the middle of the day when the lines were the longest.

If you care about getting close to an artist, come for the set before theirs

Coachella BlackPink, BlackPink performance,

Don’t wait until right before your favorite artist is about to begin their set to try to get a decent spot near the front of the crowd – it’s not going to happen, especially if they are a popular artist. If you’re hoping to get close to an artist, come for the set before theirs and when the crowd leaves at their end of the set, you will easily be able to move forward.

However, if you want to be at the very front or on the railing of a popular headliner, be prepared to arrive when Coachella gates open at 12pm and “camp” at the front of the stage for the entire day. I don’t think there’s anyone that I personally care enough to do this for, but I can certainly understand it. Just be respectful of the other artists playing throughout the day before your favorite.

Just think – for the price of a GA Coachella ticket you could be front-line for your favorite artist, where a ticket for this spot at a concert could cost unfathomable sums. The same can also be said about getting close, even if it’s not at the very front. Example: BLACKPINK (see my cellphone photo above)! We were closer to them than we would have EVER been able to afford being if we had bought tickets to one of their concerts.

You won’t be able to see and do it all

This was the hardest pill to swallow. But another important tip is to pace yourself.

With so many performances and activities, it can be tempting to try to do everything at once. But remember, Coachella is a marathon, not a sprint. Take breaks when you need to, find a shady spot to relax in between sets, and prioritize the performances and experiences that are most important to you.

Festival burnout is real, and you want to make sure you enjoy the experience rather than exhaust yourself. And with so many simultaneous performances at more than six stages, there are sure to be conflicts in your schedule and you will probably miss some “epic” performance or famous surprise guest at a different stage. It will happen, so just mentally prepare yourself for it and don’t feel pressured to do and see it all.

Take care of yourself after the festival

Finally, don't forget to take care of yourself after the festival is over. After pushing yourself for 3 full days – walking miles in the baking hot sun and partying your heart out – I promise that you will be exhausted. It took us about 2-3 days of rest to finally feel 100% again. Many people catch a cold or have to recover from “Coachella cough” after the festival is over.

Make sure to get plenty of rest, eat a healthy meal, and give yourself time to recover. And most importantly, start planning for next year's Coachella!

After our first time experience: Was Coachella worth it?

coachella first time guide, coachella first time experience, was coachella worth it

So, after spending well over $1,000 to attend Coachella, you may be wondering “Was it really worth it?”.

I can whole-heartedly answer that question with a resounding YES. And why is that?

It’s the cost of a few concert tickets.

Think about the cost of seeing one of your favorite artists in concert. Unless they are a smaller, lesser-known artist or band, the tickets are probably around $100 a piece. If it’s a bigger artist, like Bad Bunny or BLACKPINK, those tickets are probably more like $175 or more (we literally couldn’t buy tickets for BLACKPINK when they had their US tour in 2022 – they sold out in presale!).

If you are seeing a few artists that you would have paid to see in concert individually, the ticket more than pays for itself.

You are getting 3 full days of non-stop, back to back concerts on 6 different stages simultaneously. Not to mention the myriad of other things to do at the festival that are included with the cost of a ticket – vibing at clubs, pop up bars, activities, art installations, and more.

You don’t have to know the artists beforehand to enjoy it.

Even if you didn’t necessarily have many of your top favorite artists on the lineup, I think that it would be worth it.

Through preparing for Coachella and listening to artists we weren’t familiar with on the lineup, we actually discovered some new favorites! Even at the festival itself we stumbled across artists whose sets we truly loved and enjoyed while wandering around that we may never have discovered otherwise.

So to answer the question again, yes I think that Coachella was totally worth it. In fact, I am already hoping to go again in the future!

Will this be your first year at Coachella?

Coachella first timer's guide, The Ultimate Coachella Guide — *So many pictures with my arms up, but I am just so excited to be at Coachella!*

Coachella can be a daunting experience for first-timers, but with the right preparation and an open mind, it can also be the adventure of a lifetime. Remember to plan ahead, dress comfortably yet stylishly, and pack all the essentials. Take time to explore everything the festival has to offer, enjoy the music, and don’t forget to stay hydrated!

Have you been to Coachella or other music festivals before? If you have any suggestions of other tips for Coachella first timers, please share them in the comments below!

While you’re preparing for the festival, make sure to check out our complete packing guide for Coachella to make sure you have everything that you need!

If you found this guide useful, share it with your festival buddy using the social buttons or save it for later using the Pinterest images below. If you enjoyed our Coachella First Time Experience video, please make sure to give it a “thumbs up” and consider subscribing to the Adventures with Pinny YouTube channel for more travel and adventure videos. You can also keep up with our current travels by following us on Instagram.

Thanks for stopping by our blog! And remember, at the end of the day Coachella is all about having fun, so embrace the experience and make it your own.