TrekUnity
When
April
Attendance
~250,000 (across both weekends)
Admission
Ticketed
Setting
Outdoor
Coachella is the marquee American music festival — two consecutive April weekends in the desert near Palm Springs, where the Empire Polo Club fills with massive stages, giant art installations, and lineups spanning pop, hip-hop, rock, and electronic headliners.
Beyond the music, it's a full desert getaway: pool days, group houses, and the Instagrammable art that defines the festival's look. Both weekends share the same lineup, so groups often pick based on ticket availability and travel plans.
Want to go? Turn Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival into a trip you plan with your group.
Creates an editable trip seeded with a starter itinerary, hotels & eats.
Event details
Typical dates
Two weekends in mid-April (Fri–Sun each)
Admission
Ticketed (GA, VIP, and on-site camping tiers)
Parking
Free general parking and paid preferred lots; shuttle passes from Palm Springs–area hotels are the least stressful option.
Nearest airport
Palm Springs International (PSP) — ~30 min; Ontario (ONT) ~1 hr
Typical weather
Hot, dry desert days (often 90s °F) cooling sharply after dark — sun protection by day, a layer at night.
Official website
Location
Indio, CA
Where to stay
Group houses (Coachella / La Quinta)
Renting a house with a pool is the classic group move.
The Saguaro Palm Springs
Colorful, party-friendly hotel ~30 min from the grounds.
On-site camping
Car and tent camping right at the polo grounds.
Where to eat & drink
Tac/Quila (Palm Springs)
Lively Mexican spot for a pre-festival group dinner.
Grand Central (Indio)
Casual eats close to the venue.
Great Shakes
Palm Springs shakes to beat the desert heat.
Nearby attractions
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Rotating tram to cool alpine air above the desert.
Joshua Tree National Park
Otherworldly desert park ~1 hr away.
Downtown Palm Springs
Mid-century design, pools, and nightlife.
A sample itinerary
1Arrive + pool day
- •Fly into PSP
- •Afternoon: check into the group house
- •Evening: dinner in Palm Springs
2Festival day 1
- •Morning: slow start by the pool
- •Afternoon/night: first day of sets
- •Late: back to the house
3Festival day 2 + art
- •Midday: art installations
- •Evening: headliner sets
4Joshua Tree + depart
- •Morning: Joshua Tree detour
- •Afternoon: head to PSP
Make it yours — an editable trip you can share with your group.
Travel tips
- Buy tickets the moment they go on sale — both weekends sell out.
- Split a group house with a pool to cut lodging cost and beat the heat.
- Set a nightly meeting spot — cell service on the grounds is unreliable.
Frequently asked questions
When is Coachella?
It runs two consecutive weekends in mid-April, with the same lineup each weekend.
Should you camp or get a hotel?
On-site camping is social and cheap; group houses and Palm Springs hotels trade a shuttle ride for a pool and more comfort.
How hot does it get?
Desert-hot by day (often 90s °F) and much cooler after dark — plan for both.
Going with friends?
TrekUnity keeps the whole group on the same page — vote on plans, split costs, and see who's arriving when.
Start planning freeTrekUnity is an independent travel guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival or its organizers. Dates, prices, and details are provided for informational purposes and can change — always confirm on the official event website before booking.