Coachella is just 4 days away…are you ready?
Last year was my first year at the festival and thanks to countless hours on Reddit, I felt uber prepared. So here is everything I learned from attending the festival last year and tricks to make your life easier.
This guide is specifically curated to create a stress-free Coachella for all you first-timers out there.
Join the Reddit- @ Coachella
Reddit took up a large portion of my screen time during last year’s Coachella. If you want all the insider tips and tricks to this year’s festival, you should do the same.
Reddit will probably answer 99% of the questions you have. Currently, there is even a pinned post reading, “ASK US ANYTHING”, featuring things like packing lists and more. There is also a direct link to “Itwinky’s Coachella Tips,” a Google document covering everything from lockers, camping, to the different stages at the festival. The Reddit search bar also allows you to type in key phrases for specific questions you might have.
Download the Coachella app- screenshot map & set times
Make sure to have the Coachella app downloaded: this will allow you to register your wristband, view set times, and access the interactive festival map.
Registering your wristband will allow you to replace a lost or stolen wristband. One thing that helped me the most last year was screenshotting the map so I could reference it even when the app would delay. Minor detail but there are times (usually in the evening) where cell service starts to suck. So screenshot the map and set times!
Food n Drinks
Be prepared to spend a fortune on food and drinks inside the venue. Before leaving for our trip, I prepped burritos, packed bagels, and lots of fruit. There are so many refillable water stations inside the festival, so bring a hydro or buy a water and refill it. The more you eat before going into the grounds, the less you’ll have to spend inside. Or if you’re up for it, carry a small bag and fill it with granola bars.
You are not allowed to bring alcohol into the festival grounds so plan on pregaming hard or paying $20 and up for a drink. One luxury about car camping, is you are allowed to enter and exit the festival as many times as you want throughout the day. I personally never did this, since there wasn’t any dire need for me to go back. But if you are on a tight budget you can go back to eat and drink during the day.
Remember, eat before you go! The more you eat before going into the grounds, the less you’ll have to spend inside.I Or if you’re up for it, carry a small bag and fill it with granola bars. While it would be nice to bring your own alcohol into the venue, you are not allowed. So, plan
You are not allowed to bring alcohol into the festival grounds so plan on pregaming hard or paying at least $20 and up for a drink.
If you’re camping you’ll be allowed back into the festival as many times as you want throughout the day.Take advantage of this and stock your bags with snacks and drinks to pick at in between sets!
Non Negotiables -Things I can’t live without at the festival
These are a few items that really made the festival run smoothly for me. *how else can i reword
-Portable charger and cord
-Reusable water bottle
-Small fan with ring light (helped in the heat and at night when walking back to camp)
-Biofreeze (after a long day of walking my feet were saved by this)
-Hand sanitizer (when the restrooms get long and you just want to feel clean, this will do it)
-Any electrolyte drink/powder (it is so important to hydrate especially with temperature looking to be in the 90s this year)
-Earplugs (This might seem so cringe but your ears will ring from the speakers. It really is the best investment)
-Aquaphor (I use this for chapstick and at times a lotion)
And most of all ENJOY IT!
While you can’t plan for everything, you sure can try! Use the Reddit to find hidden bars, get the inside scoop on surprise guests at the Do Lab, and live updates from other festival goers. Going to Coachella for the first time is such a joyous experience for any music lover!
