You’ve probably seen Facebook statuses and tweets lately from people just dying to go to Coachella. Short for the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, the popular event is full of live music, art and food. Every April, the event takes place outdoors at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, and is two weekends long (though you don’t have to go to both!). People even camp out to experience the festival. If you want to join in on the fun or you already have your ticket, keep reading for your full guide to all things Coachella!
How to Get Tickets
Tickets are available here. Unfortunately, tickets go fast and are already sold out for 2014! If you want to attend the event in 2015, be sure to get your tickets early—the festival is so popular it usually sells out within hours. To ensure you get your tickets, you can register on the Coachella ticketing site before they go on sale. Follow @coachella on Twitter for updates.
How Much You’ll Pay
Typically, general admission tickets are $375, but if you want to include a shuttle pass, you can get them for $435. The shuttles take you from nearby hotels and other listed properties, to the event. When you register on the website for your ticket, it will ask you which shuttle stop you’ll be riding from. Keep in mind that the shuttle service stops running an hour after the music ends each night. Look here for more information.
VIP tickets are $799 and give you access to two private areas. One is adjacent to the stage to give you an awesome view, and one is in the Rose Garden. In addition to the better view, these areas are more comfortable, offering tables and couches to relax on. These areas also have more restrooms and concession stands, which is a definite perk when thousands of people are fighting for them in the general admission areas. For VIPs 21 and older, each area also has a cash bar, whereas general admission areas prohibit alcohol.
As for parking, it’s free during the day, as long as every passenger in your vehicle has his or her festival pass on! You’ll receive your pass when you order your tickets online. You can park overnight if you purchase a companion parking pass, which gives you access to a separate parking lot for $30. If you choose to purchase an on-site camping spot, you have to keep your car parked there throughout the entire festival, which will cost you another $85.
If you are coming from far away, special travel packages are available, including hotel accommodations and rides to and from the festival.
(Are all these still too expensive for you? Check out these money-saving techniques so you can start saving for next year!)
Planning Your Trip
You’re allowed to bring a small bag (like a medium-sized backpack) with you into the venue, so load it up with sunscreen, a digital camera and whatever else you need for the day. You can’t bring in food and water, but the event does have facilities where you can fill up a reusable water bottle. Bring plenty of cash; there are eateries nearby and vendors selling food and drinks.
There will be many performances and activities, some occurring at the same time, so know the lineup. A map of the event will go up a few days prior, so be sure to check that out. You’ll want to know exactly what you want to do so you aren’t overwhelmed by all the activity!
Remember that overnight camping is an option. These campgrounds provide free showers and free Internet, and you must be 18 or older to camp out without a guardian. There are two options: car camping and tent camping. If you’re with a group and you want to do car camping, there’s only one car allowed per spot, but you can have as many people in your spot as can comfortably fit (although they must each have a festival pass). For tent camping, you can rent a tent or bring a tent, as long as it fits in a 10’ by 15’ spot. Like with car camping, you can have as many people in your tent as can comfortably fit as long as they each have a festival pass.
Sarah, a collegiette at Hofstra University, took advantage of this opportunity. “I stayed in a four-person tent with three of my closest friends,” she says. “It was a great bonding experience for us because we were having so much fun with the music and all that was available to us on the campgrounds.”
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What NOT to Bring
There are plenty of concerts that allow you to bring blankets, recording devices or chairs, but these things are all prohibited at Coachella. The laundry list of prohibited items ranges from the obvious (no weapons, knives, explosives or outside food or drink) to the not-so-obvious (no chairs, no stuffed animals and no Sharpies). Feel free to bring cell phones, dancing shoes, fanny packs and digital cameras. Coachella’s website clearly states its rules and policies. This outlines exactly what you are and are not allowed to bring. Be sure to thoroughly read this – it’s very strict!
What to Wear
Coachella happens in April in California, so keep in mind that the weather will be pretty warm. Coachella attendees in the past have worn everything from short shorts and bralettes to maxi dresses and vests. No matter what outfit you decide to rock, definitely wear closed-toed shoes – people will be dancing and inevitably step on your feet. The general vibe of the concert is boho chic, so think crop tops and flowers.
Don’t forget your sunglasses! You don’t want to have to squint at all the awesome performers on stage.
Who to Go With
Coachella would be a lot of fun with a small group of close friends (between four and five). Go with people who appreciate the same music as you and who will want to go to the same performances as you. It’s best not to go with too big a crowd because it will be easy to lose people. If you can, be sure to carpool with your friends to save both gas and money. You will also meet other people; everyone there is interested in the same music, after all!
What You Can Expect Out of the Event
Each day the venues will open at 11 a.m., so get there early. The shows end sometime around 12:30 a.m. The festival takes place rain or shine, so be sure to check the weather ahead of time to prepare for the conditions. Also, the festival is for people of all ages, so you can expect to see everyone from young children to rowdy college students.
One thing that is guaranteed is that you will see some awesome performances. This year’s lineup includes Outkast, Zedd, Muse, Arcade Fire, Ellie Goulding and many more. The energy will be high, so come prepared to dance!
Coachella may be pricey, but it’s a festival unlike any other. “It was an amazing experience with all of the community and music bringing people together,” Sarah says. “It was so worth it even though it was expensive. I’ll never forget it!”