We’ve attended the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in Indio, simply known as “Coachella,” for several years now. It is the No. 1 Music Festival in the World that draws 250,000 for two weekends each in April at the Empire Polo Club in Indio. Besides the amazing music headliners and up-and-coming artists, the event is also known for incredible and interactive art installations, delicious food, and eye-catching fashion. As a Coachella veteran, there are several things you should have to make your experience the best ever. Here are the 10 Things to Pack for Coachella.
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10 USEFUL THINGS TO PACK FOR COACHELLA
1. Bandana Face Mask – Avoid the infamous “Coachella Cough” and buy yourself a bandana face mask. It gets windy at times in Indio in the month of April and dust kicks up from the dirt areas around the polo fields, especially during Weekend 2 after much of the grass has been killed off from Weekend 1. These masks are seamless and serve as a head wrap and scarf as well. This comes in a pack of 9 so you have clean ones for each day or share with your friends. Another option is your regular bandana, available in different colors.
2. Foldable Water Bottle – Bring this foldable kind to get into the event and make it easier to carry. Make sure it’s empty before entering. Metal and glass bottles aren’t allowed. There are a lot of water stations at the Coachella grounds where you can refill it with water. Remember that Indio is in the desert so temperatures can hit the 90’s or higher during the day in April. Also, leave a water bottle in your car as it’s going to be a long walk when the show is done for the night. Hydration backpack is also a good option.
3. Sunscreen – Again, you’re in the desert so you definitely need sunscreen. Get the travel size so you can carry it with you around the festival and reapply throughout the day. Pump or cream only, aerosols are not allowed.
4. Safety Sunglasses – I know this sounds weird but safety glasses with side protectors are a must-have when the wind kicks up that dust. I know the ladies want to be all fashionable and this sunglass is really cool for Coachella, but if you can, find one with full coverage.
5. Sun Hat – Do not go home with a sunburned scalp. It has happened to me before with just a few hours at the theme park. You can bring a foldable hat, one that protects your neck, and one with a chin strap so it doesn’t fly away in case it gets windy which it usually does or just use a good ol’ baseball hat.
6. Fanny Pack – Have you heard of phones getting stolen at Coachella? Well, it’s true. Although incidents have decreased in the past few years, make sure you’re not a victim of the phone snatcher by keeping your phone, keys, and power bank safely secured near you. Bring a fanny pack to Coachella. I have this exact same one and I use it as a crossbody, a shoulder bag, and a fanny pack, depending on where I’m going. It comes in many colors, I have the dark blue one. It has 3 compartments so I put mint and meds in the smaller front pocket, my phone on the 1st regular pocket, and my wallet and car key in the back pocket.
7. Compact Power Bank and Phone Chargers – There are charging stations spread out around the Coachella Festival grounds so do bring your cable and plug. But if you’re locked tight near the front of the main stages and don’t want to lose your place, make sure you don’t run out of juice by using a compact power bank.
8. Cooling Towel – You’ll be glad to have this after walking around for several hours with your friends.
9. Hand Sanitizer and Wet Wipes – Bring a travel-size hand sanitizer to keep your hands clean and germ-free. You’ll need wipes in case they run out of toilet paper or paper towels in the restroom. Plus wipe down your face or feet (if you’re wearing sandals) every few hours since it gets dusty on the festival grounds especially on weekend 2 when the grass is pretty much gone.
10. Cardigan or Kimono – It’s warm (or hot) during the daytime at Coachella Festival but it does get cold & windy at night so do bring something to keep you warm. Either wrap a cardigan or sweater in the daytime around your waist or just bring a lightweight kimono. Remember the festival runs for 3 days so you wanna make sure you don’t get a cold and get sick by day 2 due to the changes in the weather.
Allowed at Coachella Music Festival Grounds
Festival reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to amend the list of acceptable or prohibited items at any time.
- YES Backpacks (Medium) 18″x13″x8.5″
- YES Bandaids
- YES Binoculars
- YES Breast Pump (Manual, Battery Operated, Or Powered Devices)
- YES Cameras (Non-Pro Digital, Disposable, Polaroid and Film)
- YES Chapstick and Lip Balm
- YES Dancing Shoes
- YES Ear Plugs
- YES Eye Drops
- YES Face Masks
- YES Fanny Packs and Hip Bags
- YES GoPros
- YES Gum (sealed packs)
- YES Hand Sanitizer
- YES Hats
- YES Hydration packs (Empty)
- YES Inhalers
- YES Lighters
- YES Makeup
- YES Mobile Phone Chargers
- YES Parasols
- YES Plastic Water Bottles (Empty and Reusable)
- YES Prescription Medication (Name On Medication Must Correlate With Person’s Drivers License or other appropriate state identification)
- YES Purses and Handbags (no larger than 12”x6”x12”)
- YES Service Animals (See ADA Page)
- YES Stored Breastmilk or Formula
- YES Strollers (for baby/toddler only)
- YES Sunblock (Non-Aerosol)
- YES Sunglasses
- YES Towels (small-medium size)
- YES Water Misters
What are the things you can’t bring to Coachella? Here is the list:
- NO Advanced First Aid Kits* (including, but not limited to, hemostatic gauze or powder, tourniquets, compression bandages, decompression needles, or chest seals)
- NO Aerosol Products/Aerosol Cans
- NO Air Horns
- NO Animals
- NO Audio Recording Devices
- NO Bicycles, Skates, Scooters or Skateboards
- NO Blankets
- NO Body Armor
- NO Chains or Chain Wallets
- NO Chairs
- NO Coolers
- NO Detachable Lens Cameras
- NO Discriminative or Appropriative Items
- NO Divisive Symbols or Appropriative Imagery
- NO Drones or Remote Control Aircraft, Cars or Toys
- NO Fireworks, Explosives or Road Flares
- NO Flags
- NO Flyers, Samples, Giveaways or Promotional Items
- NO Glass Bottles or Containers
- NO Glow Sticks, Light Sticks, or LED Gloves
- NO Hammocks
- NO Hula Hoops
- NO Hoverboards or Segways
- NO Illegal Drugs or Drug Paraphernalia
- NO Instruments
- NO IV Bags
- NO Kites or Sky Lanterns
- NO Laser Pointers
- NO Markers or Paint Pens
- NO Massagers
- NO Metal Water Bottles or Containers
- NO Outside Food or Beverage
- NO Non-Personal Protective Equipment (e.g., costume)
- NO Selfie Sticks, Tripods or Narcissists
- NO Smelling Salts*
- NO Stuffed Animals
- NO Tents or Sleeping Bags
- NO Tourniquets*
- NO Toy Guns, Water Guns or Sling Shots
- NO Totems
- NO Umbrellas
- NO Video Cameras
- NO Wagons
- NO Walkie Talkies
- NO Weapons (Guns, Knives, Ammo, Pepper Spray, Mace, etc. including off-duty law enforcement or concealed carry permits)
Also Read: Coachella Camping Packing List
Also Read: Restaurants to Try in Indio during the Coachella Festival
Fun Things to Do in Coachella Valley:
- Palm Springs Weekend Getaway Guide
- 20 Fun Things to Do in Palm Springs with Kids
- 5 Tips for Visiting Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
- Desert Hills Premium Outlets & Cabazon Outlets
- Borrego Springs Sculpture Guide
- Pie For the People: Famous Pizza Joint in Joshua Tree
- Shields Date Garden in Indio
- Restaurants to Try in Indio
- Desert Oasis Welk Resorts
