The Coachella Music and Arts Festival, one of the largest outdoor music festivals in the United States, is held every April in Indio, California (a town about three hours drive east of Los Angeles).
The Coachella festival has become increasingly well-known and popular over the years, and passes are always sold out on the same day every year.
There are rumors that passes are becoming easier to obtain after the pandemic.
If you've been thinking, "I'd like to go someday," maybe it's time to go now.
Coachella, the hottest festival in the U.S. right now
Launched in 1999, Coachella is one of the largest outdoor music festivals not only in the United States but also in the world.
It is held at the Polo Club in Indio, near the resort town of Palm Springs, about a two-hour drive inland from Los Angeles. Because of its location, the festival is also famous as a place where Hollywood stars and other celebrities are often photographed.
Since 2012, the festival has been held over two weeks (Weekend 1 and Weekend 2), with the same artists performing on the same time schedule for both weekends.
As the festival's name recognition and popularity grew each year, more stages were added and the number of passes sold (and the grounds expanded accordingly). In 2017, a total of 12 stages were set up (9 official stages and 3 sponsored stages), and 125,000 passes were sold for each Weekend, for a total of 250,000.
Over 150 artists participated, with headliners Radiohead, Lady Gaga, and Kendrick Lamar in 2017.
Since it is a big festival, the genres are wide-ranging and include everything from indie rock to major rock, folk, hip-hop, R&B, and electro. Surprisingly, big techno and house artists also perform every year, and Richie Hawtin is a regular.
Coachella Passes Go on Sale in June of the Previous Year
Coachella is held every year in April, but passes for the event go on sale around June of the previous year. This means that in order to go to next year's Coachella, you need to prepare about a year in advance!!!
Sales could be even earlier, so be sure to sign up for the official newsletter to keep up to date with the latest announcement.
Before purchasing passes
Sales will begin on the official website from the pre-announced date and time, but you will need to register separately for Weekend 1 and Weekend 2 in order to purchase.
It is recommended that you register for both in advance.
You will also need to decide on your specific plans.
1. WHEN will you go? (Weekend 1 or Weekend 2)
2. HOW will you GET from the airport to the destination? (Shuttle bus or rental car?)
3. WHERE will you STAY? (On-site glamping tent or on-site campground or nearby hotel?)
4. HOW will we GET from our accommodations to the venue? (Shuttle bus or car rental or Uber / Lyft or bike?)
Depending on these plans, the passes you purchase will vary.
Pass Types
From "General Admission" passes only, to "Tent Camping" and "Car Camping" with camping sites, to "Hotel Travel Packages" that include lodging at nearby hotels, to shuttle buses from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and local There are many different types of passes available, including shuttle bus passes.
That is why you need to decide on the aforementioned plans.
There are also restrictions on General Admission, such as a limit of two passes per person for each Weekend, and a limit of one pass with tent per order, so if you are going with a large group, several people should work together to purchase passes.
For more information, visit official website.
The Easiest Pass with Hotel
The easiest plan to get to Coachella from other states or abroad is the "Hotel Travel Packages".
These packages include hotel accommodations at a nearby hotel affiliated with Coachella, Coachella admission passes, and a shuttle bus pass between the hotel and the venue.
You can conveniently receive your Coachella admission passes and shuttle bus pass when you check in at the hotel. The packages & prices offered vary by hotel, such as length of stay: 3 nights / 5 nights / 10 nights, number of people: 2 people / 4 people, etc.
If the hotel has a shuttle service between the airport and the hotel, it is even easier.
If you choose a hotel with a shuttle bus service between LAX and the hotel, you will be able to get to and from LAX with ease.
Payment Methods
Payment in full by credit card is the basic method, but payment in installments may be possible.
For 2017, for early sales, Coachella offered an installment payment plan (a fixed amount charged to your credit card each month).
For additional sales, only lump-sum payments were available.
How to receive passes
They will be mailed to abroad for $25. Pass shipping will start around March, so those who may travel to the U.S. before then may choose to pick up the passes at a local BOX OFFICE (Will Call).
If you purchase the aforementioned "Hotel Travel Package," you can pick up your passes when you check in at your hotel.
Cautions regarding Will Call at the BOX OFFICE
1. The BOX OFFICE is located in a separate facility away from the festival site (in 2017, at the Tennis Club, a 5-minute drive away)
2. Pickup is available from the Wednesday of the week of the festival (Weekend 2 pass cannot be picked up during the week of Weekend 1)
3. A "photo ID", "order number", and the credit card used at the time of purchase are required to pick up the passes, and no one other than the purchaser can pick up the passes. In addition, changes to the purchaser's information after the order is confirmed are not allowed.
For more information, please visit the Official Website.
How to get there from other states or abroad
From Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), it is common to take a shuttle bus or rent a car.
If you are not used to driving on the left-hand side of the road or in the right lane, it is best to take a shuttle bus.
"You want to go sightseeing in Los Angeles?", "You want to go sightseeing in Palm Springs?", you should use Uber or Lyft.
Shuttle Bus from Los Angeles Airport (LAX)
Shuttle buses will run from LAX to the Coachella campgrounds or to nearby hotels in the festival area (in 2017, the Renaissance Palm Springs, Agua Caliente, JW Marriott, and La Quinta Resort).
It will cost $70 each way and will be sold in advance as a "Shuttle" on the official Coachella website.
The shuttle runs on Thursdays and Fridays of each weekend and on Mondays on the return trip.
When selecting a hotel with this shuttle service in the aforementioned "Hotel Travel Package," it would be even more convenient to select a hotel that offers this service.
The pass that will take you from the airport to the "Airport Shuttle to Coachella" is only available to those who are staying at the campground and requires a wristband to be worn at the time of boarding.
If you want more freedom and fun, rent a car!
If you want to explore Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Salvation Mountain and Joshua Tree National Park in addition to the Coachella Festival, let's rent a car.
You can also get around locally by bike, Uber, or Lyft!
If you are not taking a shuttle bus or renting a car, you can rent a bicycle, or use Uber / Lyft.
There are no cabs running on the street, so make sure you have a means of transportation in advance.
First time at Coachella! What should I bring?
There are no cabs running on the street, so make sure you have a means of transportation in advance.
First time at Coachella! What should I bring?
Once you have your pass, all you need to do is book your airfare and accommodations and pack. The question is, "What do I bring?" What can I bring? ', 'What can't I bring in?' etc. are detailed in the Coachella Guidebook that is sent with your pass.
It will also be posted on the Coachella website, so be sure to check it in advance.
If you want to go sightseeing while you are there, here is the place!
Since you have spent so much money and time coming all the way from other states or abroad, there is no excuse not to go sightseeing. Why not stop by here and there before and after Coachella?
Recommended Sightseeing Spots: Los Angeles
Home to many famous tourist attractions such as Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Universal Studios, and Disneyland, Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles is the second most populous city in the United States (New York is #1).
Visitors can enjoy entertainment, shopping, dining, watching sports, marine sports, and much more.
Recommended Destination 1: Palm Springs
Palm Springs is only a 30-minute drive from Indio, where Coachella is held, so it is a must stop. As a winter resort, Palm Springs is also famous for the many Hollywood movie stars who have vacation homes here. It is also home to many of America's most iconic "mid-century modern" buildings, a must-see for architecture lovers.
Recommended Destination 2: Salvation Mountain
Salvation Mountain is so photogenic that it stands out on Instagram and other social media. It is located about an hour's drive from the Coachella site, so why not extend your visit?
Recommended Destination 3: Joshua Tree National Park
This national park is located 1 to 1.5 hours by car from Palm Springs.
In case you are wondering, U2's old album "Joshua Tree" was filmed not here but in Death Valley National Park in California (confusing).
