The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival 2025 is quickly approaching, coming up on April 11 -13 and 18 – 20. For its 26th year, Coachella will take place at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California once again. The festival is two weekends of food, art, and music that bring in over 100,000 attendees from all over the world. Headliners for the festival this year are Lady Gaga, Green Day, and Travis Scott “designing the desert,” a slot previously called “returning to the desert.”
Whether it is your first time or your tenth time attending Coachella, here are the essentials you need to know when preparing for the largest music festival in California.
Weekend 1 and 2 Tickets
General admission tickets for weekend 1 sold out quickly, but a few general admission w/ shuttle tickets are still on sale for $779.00, and Weekend 1 VIP passes are available for $1,399.00. Weekend 2 passes are still available, which prices and selections for can be found below:
- Weekend 2 General Admission: $599.00
- Weekend 2 General Admission w/ Shuttle: $679.00
- Weekend 2 VIP: $1,199.00
Must-Pack Items
Bag Size: You will definitely need to bring a bag of some sort to carry all of your essential items throughout the day. All bags must be 18″ x 13″ x 8.5″ or smaller, perfect for a fanny pack, small backpack, or small purse. A bag that can stay close to you and is not easily removed would be best so you don’t have to worry about losing it during some crazy dance moments or crowded areas.
Coachella does offer lockers for rent if you are a heavy packer like myself. For the entire weekend, the rental fee is $89.00. You can view more details on the lockers here or reserve one in advance: www.coachella.com/faq#ga-lockers.
ID and Debit/Credit Cards: Coachella is cashless, so keep your credit cards handy to purchase merch, food, and drinks. Bring your ID if you’re over 21 and want to grab an alcoholic drink.
Phone charger and Charging Bank: Although there are phone charging stations at Coachella, you can expect long lines and few places to plug-in. Instead of waiting, bring your own power bank to keep on you at all times, ensuring you have a way to charge-up and communicate with others in case you get separated or in the event of an emergency.
Self Care Items
Sunscreen and SPF lip balm: The summer sun in California is unforgiving, especially in Indio where there are minimal trees to take cover under. Make sure you have enough sunscreen to keep you covered for the whole weekend so you don’t end up with a nasty burn. However, aerosol cans are not permitted on the festival grounds, so be sure to purchase a tube of sunscreen instead.
Water bottle: Staying hydrated under the hot sun is a must. Even when you don’t feel thirsty, keep drinking water to combat the hot weather and keep yourself healthy. You can bring your own plastic water bottle or a refillable plastic bottle (64 oz. or less), but insulated metal bottles are not allowed. All bottles must be empty at entry and can be filled up once you’re in the venue at the various water stations.
Sunglasses or Hats: For extra added sun protection, shield your eyes from the bright rays so you can get the best view of your favorite artists as they perform. It’s also a good idea to pack a spare pair of sunglasses in case you lose or break yours.
Hand sanitizer and/or wipes: Thousands of people use the onsite restrooms for the entirety of two weekends, sometimes leaving them without soap as the days go on. Having a bottle of hand sanitizer or some disinfecting wipes may come in handy.
Comfort Items
Comfy clothes and shoes: Though many creative outfits and unique fashion statements are made at Coachella each year, always keep in mind your comfort over fashion. Being on your feet all day is no joke and standing in the hot sun in an uncomfortable outfit or clunky shoes will not make for a good day. Wear light clothing, in color and in density, and wear shoes that will keep your feet protected but allow them to breathe.
Facial Bandana: Being in the desert, the air is full of dust, which will inevitably get all over you just by walking around in the area. Having a bandana to keep over your face will protect you from the dusty winds and can even double as a headband or sweat rag.
Sweatshirt or Jacket: When the sun goes down in Indio, the blazing heat disappears and the night can become quite cold. Having a light jacket or cardigan can be helpful in warding off those night time shivers as the weekend days come to their end.
Towel or Blanket: In-between performances or while grabbing a bite to eat, you’ll most likely want to sit down and take a break from being on your feet. Bringing a small towel or blanket will keep your outfits clean from the dusty ground anytime you need to take a seat. The blanket can also double as an easy way to take cover from the sun for a few minutes.
FAQ
For more specific information on what you can and cannot bring to Coachella, check out their FAQ page. Stay safe, stay hydrated, and put on that sunblock. We can’t wait for Coachella 2025!