At the Palm Springs airport, my feet were numb, my nose was sunburned, my hair had taken on a life of its own, and I felt so heavy with bags under my eyes that you might have thought I'd just completed a triathlon. But honestly, in a completely undramatic way, this is exactly how I felt the first time I attended Coachella. No kidding, I had to hydrate, felt socially exhausted, and went into goblin mode for the entire week after I got home. To be honest, I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.
As someone who has watched YouTubers vlog Coachella experiences since I was a teenager, I had some preconceived ideas of what attending a music festival might be like. I watched TikTok GRWM and costume scoring videos, read Twitter posts reacting to lineup announcements, and even scrolled through Reddit pages to learn about the festival's best-kept secrets—but ultimately, nothing can make anything less than experiencing it in person. I’m getting ready to play the biggest music festival in America. I'm not a "this festival completely changed my life" kind of person, but...guilty! Seriously, it was the most fun I've had in a while - although there are some things I would do differently if I had it to do over again.
Since April through September is basically festival season every year, you might be planning to attend another festival sometime this summer. If it's your first time, it can be hard to figure out where to start mentally and physically preparing for the event - honestly, watching all the videos giving tips feels like I'm a civilian in the middle of the ocean experience Rich festival vet. But dear reader, you don’t have to feel the same way… I have your back. Here's everything the internet isn't telling you about attending a music festival for the first time, and how to make the most of your experience.
How to choose music festival tickets
Of course, the first step before attending a festival is purchasing your tickets, and there's no denying that this initial decision will have the biggest impact on your experience once you get there. I had a Coachella VIP pass provided by Heineken, which gave me access to an exclusive area around the festival grounds so I could enjoy high-end food and drink from local businesses and get a clearer view of some of the Some side views of the stage. As someone who rarely goes to the West Coast, it's fun to explore the California restaurants and bars in the VIP area, and I've never seen a content creator share how delicious some holiday food really is.
Before booking, please consider your priorities and budget. If you're a die-hard fan and want to perform on stage for multiple artists, you may want to stick to general admission as you'll spend most of your time waiting between shows to get the best, closer spots. Higher ticket tiers may include priority access to merchandise tables, better bathrooms and closer stage views.
Some festivals sell tickets that include transportation options, so keep that in mind if you don’t want to spend a fortune on a rideshare. Music festivals in more remote areas, such as Coachella, Stagecoach and Bonnaroo, offer shuttles that stop at several local hotels; just purchase a ticket package to take advantage of this offer. For festivals in big cities, you can explore public transportation options before opting for a pricey car service. Another little-known tip? Check to see if you have a credit card or rewards profile that could get you into the festival grounds’ exclusive (air-conditioned!) lounges or events. For example, at the Coachella music festival, American Express and Postmates are offering special offers to account holders.
What to wear to a music festival
Coachella isn't the trend setting thing it once was (#TBT to when Vanessa Hudgens wore a maxi dress and flower crown). Now, comfort is key. Celebrities have been opting for more basic looks in recent years, with influencers even admitting that some OOTD posts are completely fake. You'll spend hours outdoors and take thousands of steps traveling to and from each stage. My biggest regret? I should have only planned the outfit around my trusty hokas, because my feet were sore for days after I put on the boots and new sneakers.
My best advice is to elevate the favorite (and comfiest) basics you already have in your wardrobe with fun accessories — Hailey Bieber really wore it loose at Coachella this year of jeans and a white cropped tank top, but accessorized with chunky earrings and a gold body chain. You can easily purchase unique accessories from your local thrift store or from sites like Depop and Poshmark.
You may be tempted to take photos at festivals - if you don't post the dump, is it really happening? - So choose an outfit that makes you feel good and a backdrop that will make even the most understated look look interesting. Candidness is cool: imagine laughing in front of the inevitable neon installation, smiling on a brightly lit stage in the background, or dancing vaguely to your favorite song. This is your chance to be the protagonist.
Take this as a sign that you'll feel less influenced by music festivals that might be adding to your five-year plan. You might already have the same cool outfit in your closet, and by day three, you'll want to wear an outfit that's basically pajamas.
What to bring to a music festival
In addition to the obvious phone, keys, ID, and wallet, bring your emotional support water bottle and sunscreen. You’ll be here for a long day, and there will be water stations throughout the grounds to refill your bottles. Each festival will have its own specific rules about what's allowed and what's not allowed - common no-nos include outdoor food or drinks, coolers, aerosols (my mini dry shampoo was picked up at the door ) and detachable lens cameras.
I also recommend bringing sunglasses, any travel-size makeup that will keep you looking fresh from day to night, and a portable fan if you have one, depending on the time of year the festival is held. Another must? Portable phone batteries because phone service can be spotty when you're in a high-traffic area and you don't want to lose friends or feel stranded late at night. When packing I was prepared for the end of the world and thought I wanted to bring a full size backpack, but I ended up carrying just a small purse with all my essentials in it every day. Bags like the ever-popular Baggu Crescent Bag or Mini Backpack are ideal for such occasions.
Holiday essentialsHalf Pint Mini Backpack Jansport
How to choose which shows to see at a music festival
Keep expectations reasonable. Pick about three suits that are absolutely non-negotiable for you and go from there. Chances are, some of the artists you're interested in will have overlapping fixed times on stages that aren't too close together, so you might not see all of your favorite songs live. Also, don't sleep on any of the smaller stages at music festivals - for example, at Coachella, Heineken has its own stage that all guests can enter, no matter what ticket they hold, than all the others The stages all had a more intimate feel, even though the acts weren't on the official line-up. A stage like this may be hidden in plain sight, allowing you to experience the show first-hand without having to wait for hours by a barricade in the scorching sun.
While you can't plan for everything the holidays might throw at you (ahem, missing out on a Zendaya cameo, or tearing your crochet pants as soon as you sit down), bring the right items and stay positive A mindset that will make your weekend more enjoyable is the goal right now. Bring clothes that you find cute and comfortable, plan your transportation there and back in advance so you don't have to worry about being exhausted in the middle of the night when your phone only has 10% battery left, and create a tentative schedule of must-sees that works for you. By doing all this in advance, you can relax on festival day, sit back and enjoy the weather, the overall atmosphere, and of course, the music.
