ANAHEIM, Calif. — The annual Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is upon us, and for those preparing for the desert trek, there’s a lot to keep track of.

Music fans will be making their way to the desert to watch headliners Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber and Karol G, but as everyone plans their fashion game before heading out, we have some helpful information and tips to make your festival trip smooth.

Are you wondering what to pack? When do set times go live? Where to watch online? We’ve got you covered. Here’s what you need to know before heading out.

When and where is Coachella happening?

Coachella 2026 will take place over two weekends, April 10-12 and 17-19, at the Empire Polo Club, 81-800 Ave. 51 in Indio.

Who is performing at Coachella?

Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber and Karol G are the headliners for both weekends.

Other notable acts on the bill include the Strokes, The xx, Young Thug, Addison Rae, Katseye, Nine Inch Nails and the German Iraqi electronic music producer Boys Noize, who is dubbed “Nine Inch Noize” on the poster.

When will the festival unveil its set times?

If the tradition holds, fans can expect Coachella to release the set times a couple of days before Weekend 1. Last year, set times were announced a bit earlier on April 5, almost a full week before.

The set times typically include a couple of surprise guests each weekend. So far, we know the Marías’ lead singer, María Zardoya, will perform a set from her solo project Not For Radio at the Sonora stage for Weekend 1 attendees.

In the last few years, acts have had to drop out due to visa and immigration issues, which have affected the likes of U.K. artist FKA Twigs as well as Iggy Pop, who, though American, faced issues that prevented his French band from coming in for his headlining performance at Desert Daze in 2022. Both of these acts are on this year’s lineup, so they’ll be ones to keep an eye on for that sort of impact.

How do I get tickets to Coachella?

Passes to Coachella Weekend 1 and 2 are sold out, but fans can try their luck on the festival’s website for resale options.

There is also the secondary market route, but approach with caution. Admission to the festival is via wristbands that need to be activated.

Beware of online posts offering a one-day pass, as the festival doesn’t sell one-day passes, and definitely don’t send any money to anyone before verifying what you’re purchasing.

Are there festival lockers?

Lockers must be reserved in advance, and as of now, all of them are sold out.

What do I get with VIP?

A VIP pass gets you an expedited entrance through the yellow path, along with air-conditioned trailer-style portable bathrooms. There are also some exclusive food and beverage options that general-admission festivalgoers can’t access.

There’s also the beautiful Rose Garden near the Mojave Tent, which is one of Coachella’s best locations to snap a picture of you and/or your friends. Also included are some exclusive food and beverages, but if you purchase a fancy dinner at the Outstanding in the Field, it will get you admission to the Rose Garden for the day.

Do you have to pay to park at Coachella?

General parking at Coachella is free, and parking lots open at 11 a.m. daily, but the festival gates don’t open until 1 p.m.

If you see that one of your favorite acts has an early slot, be sure to leave as early as possible. Traffic into the venue starts to pick up around 3 p.m., but on the first day, you may see an earlier uptick in excited fans ready to get the party started.

Note that exiting the parking lot takes longer if you stay until the end of the night, and that can sometimes add 30 to 45 minutes.

Shuttle passes are available for those who prefer not to drive.

What should be on a Coachella packing list?

If you’re going to be at the festival for three days, it’s best to come prepared.

Be sure to wear comfortable shoes (with gel insoles if possible), and socks that can take plenty of impact, as you’ll likely spend your time ticking up your daily mileage walking from stage to stage on the field.

If you’re prone to sunburns or don’t like it beating down on your face, a foldable, lightweight hat is a good idea, too. That said, don’t rely solely on a hat for sun protection; be sure to bring sunscreen and apply it regularly.

While the weather can vary, the desert can get chilly at night, so it isn’t a bad idea to bring a light sweatshirt to keep you warm for later.

A charging cable and an external battery or two are also good to have handy, especially if you’re going with a group and want to stay updated on where to meet afterward or in case you get separated. With that being said, making these plans ahead of time will save your group from any frustrations and awkward car rides back to your home base.

A PPE mask and bandanna are also a must. It may be hotter during the day, but when the sun sets, the desert winds blow up a storm of dust, which can leave you with runny eyes and a cough. If you already battle allergies, definitely bring some over-the-counter allergy medications to take before or after each day on the field.

The festival stages have to project sound so everyone in the massive crowds can hear them, so the speakers will be loud. Don’t forget your earplugs, especially if you’re moving closer to the stage for a set.

What’s there to eat and drink at the festival?

Coachella offers what food festivals typically have, such as pizza, burgers and other easily handheld items, but it also incorporates some local favorites.

We wrote about the best food we ate at Coachella in 2025, and many of those vendors are returning, and there also new ones, including the Bad Bunny-approved tacos featured in the Super Bowl LX halftime show.

Can I bring in a refillable bottle?

You can bring in an empty, plastic, 64-ounce or less, refillable container that you can refill at the multiple water refill stations spread throughout the festival grounds. No metal, including aluminum and steel, or glass, is allowed. A hydration backpack is allowed inside, but it has to be empty.

Since Coachella began, water has been priced at $2 per bottle, which makes sense given how hot it can get in the desert. Every year, our team witnesses a handful of festivalgoers who don’t take their hydration seriously, so prepare yourself. Bring an icy-cold disposable water bottle for your walk into the festival, then refill it when you get inside, or purchase one immediately upon entry. Your body will thank you.

What’s the bathroom situation at Coachella?

Most of the festival grounds have portable toilets, and if you walk a little further, sometimes you’ll find the nicer air-conditioned trailer bathrooms near the back of those groups of portable ones.

The best choices are the permanent bathrooms across from the craft beer barn. As the day goes on, the line gets longer, though it tends to move quickly.

Can I watch Coachella performances online?

If you weren’t able to snag a ticket to either weekend of the festival headed to Indio, you can watch Coachella from the comfort of your couch. Performances from both weekends will be streamed on YouTube.

Typically, there’s a feed or channel for each stage, but Sonora is only shown for Weekend 1, and Yuma for Weekend 2, so if you want to watch all your favorites on that stage the first weekend, in case you can’t the following one.

Not every artist is broadcast, either. The early acts don’t usually make it on, but you can catch the later acts scheduled for the evening and into the night.

The artists who will be streamed each weekend will be announced closer to the show.

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