Dust on Your Shoes, Music in the Air: Coachella 2026

Coachella 2026 takes place across two weekends in Indio, California. Weekend 1 runs April 10 to April 12, 2026 and Weekend 2 runs April 17 to April 19, 2026. For many visitors, the trip begins well before the first performance, starting with arrival at the airport, settling into accommodation, and making the journey toward the festival grounds. Planning these first steps properly makes the rest of the festival far more relaxed.

Once inside, days move quickly between stages, food areas, and art installations. People check schedules often, coordinate meeting points, and arrange late-night transport after the final performances. Reliable connectivity helps keep everything organized throughout the weekend.

Festival Dates and Location

Venue: Empire Polo Club, Indio, California, USA

Coachella runs across two identical weekends every year. The same lineup performs both weekends.

Expected 2026 dates (based on traditional schedule):

• Weekend 1: April 10 to April 12, 2026
• Weekend 2: April 17 to April 19, 2026

Official confirmation usually arrives in January when the lineup is released, but the mid April pattern has remained consistent for many years.

Indio is about:

• 2.5 hours from Los Angeles
• 2 hours from San Diego
• 30 minutes from Palm Springs

What Actually Happens at Coachella?

The festival opens around late morning and continues past midnight. Each day follows a rhythm.

Morning and early afternoon

• Gates open.
• Smaller artists perform.
• Good time to explore art installations.
• Lower temperatures.

Late afternoon

• Mid tier artists and band performances.
• Food areas become busy.
• Golden hour photography everywhere.

Evening and night

• Major artists.
• Main stage crowds.
• Light shows and large production sets.
• Dance tents and DJ performances.

You will walk a lot. Expect 18,000 to 25,000 steps per day.

Tickets and Pass Types

General Admission (GA)

• Access to all stages.
• Standing crowd areas.
• Food courts and art exhibits.

GA + Shuttle

Includes festival entry plus daily shuttle transport from nearby cities and hotels. This is one of the easiest ways to avoid parking traffic.

VIP Pass

• Dedicated viewing areas near stages.
• Air conditioned lounges.
• Shorter food and restroom lines.
• Premium bars and shaded seating.

Tickets normally sell out quickly after release. Many travelers plan flights before lineup announcements because accommodations fill even faster.

Weather Guide

Coachella takes place in the Colorado Desert, so temperatures change a lot between day and night.

Typical April conditions:

• Afternoon: 30 to 35°C
• Evening: around 20 to 24°C
• Late night: 12 to 15°C
• Strong sun and very dry air
• Wind and dust possible in late afternoon

Prepare for it:

• Carry a refillable water bottle.
• Reapply sunscreen every 2 to 3 hours.
• Bring lip balm and moisturizer.
• Pack a light jacket or hoodie for night.
• A bandana or mask helps during dusty winds.

What to Wear?

You will be inside the festival for 10 to 12 hours a day, so comfort matters more than outfits.

Recommended:

• Breathable cotton or linen clothing.
• Comfortable sneakers.
• Sunglasses.
• Hat, scarf, or bandana.
• Light layer for evening.

Avoid:

• Brand new shoes.
• Heavy fabrics.
• Very large bags.
• Sandals in crowds.

Tip: You can rent a locker inside and keep your night jacket there.

Where to Stay?

Camping at the Festival

The most immersive experience.

Options:

• Car camping.
• Tent camping.
• Ready set tents (pre built.)
• Safari luxury tents.

Camping opens the day before the first festival day. Many attendees say camping is half the experience because late night communities form around shared food, music speakers, and conversations.

Hotels and Rentals

Popular areas:

• Palm Springs.
• Palm Desert.
• La Quinta.
• Indian Wells.

Hotels become expensive months in advance. Booking early matters more than waiting for the lineup.

Festival Layout and Stages

The venue is very large. Walking across it can take 20 minutes, so knowing the stages helps you plan.

Main areas:

• Main Stage: headliners and biggest crowds.
• Outdoor Theatre: sunset shows and popular bands.
• Sahara Tent: EDM and large production sets.
• Mojave Tent: indie and rising artists.
• Gobi Tent: smaller performances.
• Yuma Tent: house and techno DJs.

Food areas, art installations, and water refill stations sit between stages.

Transportation Guide

Getting to and leaving the festival needs planning.

Options:

• Shuttle buses (most convenient.)
• Ride share services.
• Driving and parking.
• Bicycles from nearby stays.

Important tips:

• Shuttle passes are the easiest option.
• Ride share pickup zones are far from exits.
• Parking requires long walks.
• Leaving right after headliners causes heavy traffic.

Leaving 10 to 15 minutes early can save nearly an hour.

Food and Facilities

Coachella is known for surprisingly diverse food. You will not be limited to typical festival meals.

You can find:

• Vegan options.
• Asian street food.
• Mexican tacos.
• Coffee bars.
• Smoothies and fresh fruit.
• Dessert stands.

There are refillable water stations across the grounds. Bringing a reusable bottle is recommended.

Money Saving Tips

Festivals get expensive quickly, but small decisions help.

• Eat a big breakfast before entering.
• Bring an empty bottle and refill water.
• Share meals with friends.
• Split a locker cost.
• Buy merchandise earlier in the weekend.
• Use shuttle transport instead of daily ride services.

Money Saving Tips

Festivals get expensive quickly, but small decisions help.

• Eat a big breakfast before entering.
• Bring an empty bottle and refill water.
• Share meals with friends.
• Split a locker cost.
• Buy merchandise earlier in the weekend.
• Use shuttle transport instead of daily ride services.

Getting Around the Festival

Inside the venue, everything is walkable but distances are large. Comfortable shoes are essential.

Outside the venue, transportation options include:

• Shuttle buses.
• Ride share services.
• Bicycles (popular with nearby stays.)
• Driving and parking.

Traffic leaving after headliners can take over an hour, which is why many visitors prefer shuttle passes.

At a festival this large, plans change constantly. You switch stages, friends get separated in the crowd, and sometimes your next artist is performing on the opposite side of the grounds. Being able to quickly check maps, set times, and meeting points becomes surprisingly important.

Festival Do’s and Don’ts

Do

• Arrive early one day to learn the layout.
• Watch at least one sunset performance.
• Explore art installations.
• Wear comfortable shoes.

Don’t

• Wear new footwear.
• Rely on phone battery alone.
• Forget sunscreen.
• Over schedule every hour.

After the Festival: What to Do Nearby

Many travelers stay an extra day or two.

You can:

• Visit Joshua Tree National Park.
• Explore Palm Springs cafés and downtown.
• Relax at a pool day.
• Go outlet shopping nearby.
• Take a scenic drive through Coachella Valley.

Your Phone Wants a Festival Pass Too: Meet Voye Global

This is where Voye Global fits into the trip.

Voye Global provides international travel connectivity across 160+ countries, allowing travelers to activate mobile data before arrival and stay connected as soon as they land in the United States. Instead of searching for a SIM card at the airport or relying on unstable public networks, your phone works immediately.

During Coachella, visitors commonly use mobile data to:

• Check performance schedules.
• Share live locations with friends.
• Book late night rides after headliners.
• Access digital tickets and confirmations.
• Navigate between hotels and the venue.

A reliable connection keeps the day simple. You spend less time trying to find signal and more time finding the right stage before your favorite artist starts.

For international visitors especially, having service ready before reaching the festival makes arrival smoother. From airport pickup to the first walk through the gates, everything stays organized and easy.

Why Choose Voye Global?

When you travel for a festival, planning does not end with flights and tickets. Your phone needs to work the moment you arrive. Voye Global offers travel eSIM plans that keep you connected without searching for a local SIM card.

Key reasons travelers choose Voye Global eSIM plans:

• Travel eSIM coverage in 160+ countries.
• Activate your eSIM plan before departure.
• Your eSIM connects as soon as you land.
• No physical SIM card removal or replacement.
• Use maps, ride apps, and digital tickets easily.
• Avoid expensive roaming with a dedicated eSIM plan.
• One eSIM plan works for multi country trips.

With an eSIM plan already installed, you can navigate from the airport to your hotel, check festival schedules, and coordinate with friends right away. A ready eSIM connection keeps the trip organized so you can focus on the music and the experience.

Staying Connected During the Festival

Large crowds often overload public networks. Maps, ride bookings, and meeting friends can become difficult. Many travelers use mobile data rather than relying on public Wi Fi so they can:

• Share live locations.
• Check set times.
• Call rides late at night.
• Access digital tickets.

Having a working data connection makes coordinating meetups much easier in a venue this large.

What to Pack?

Essentials

• Comfortable shoes.
• Sunscreen.
• Hat or bandana.
• Refillable water bottle.
• Portable phone charger.
• Sunglasses.

Helpful items

• Light jacket for night temperature drops.
• Small backpack.
• Wet wipes.
• Earplugs.
• Snacks.

Desert temperatures can reach 32°C in the afternoon and fall sharply at night.

Tips for First Time Visitors

1. Arrive early at least one day to understand the layout.
2. Do not schedule every hour. Leave time to explore.
3. Drink water constantly.
4. Pick a clear meeting point with friends.
5. Watch at least one sunset set at the main stage.
6. Visit the art installations during daylight.
7. Leave a headliner early if you want faster transport out.

One More Song Before You Go

Coachella works best when you treat it as an experience, not a checklist. Some of the most memorable moments are not the headliners but a random afternoon set, a conversation with strangers, or a quiet break on the grass as music echoes across the field.

You will leave dusty, tired, and sun soaked, but also with the feeling that for a few days the world gathered in one place and moved to the same rhythm.