Festival season is almost here! In the United States, the desert town of Indio, CA is home to some of the world’s best music festivals. Starting in April, you can enjoy multiple weekends of revelry at events like Coachella and Stagecoach. Desert music festivals are unforgettable experiences. There’s sunshine, good vibes, and once-in-a-lifetime performances by amazing artists.
But desert music festivals have their downsides. The Coachella Valley weather ranges from a low of 42°F to a high of 107°F, with daytime temperatures in April varying from the low 80s to triple-digit heat. These weather conditions can ruin your weekend if you’re not prepared. You’ll also need to contend with traffic, crowds, expensive food and drink, and other challenges.
So, how can you avoid these pitfalls and get the most out of your music festival weekend? At Xpress Shuttles, we’ve helped plenty of festival fans improve their experience with reliable transportation and lodging arrangements. Along the way, we’ve learned vital information that every festival goer should know. Here are our Top 8 tips for enjoying festival season in the desert:
Tip #1. Get Tickets in Advance
First, get your tickets in advance! There’s nothing worse than arriving at the Empire Polo Club, ready to rock out to your favorite bands, only to discover that the passes are all sold out. Although you may encounter people re-selling tickets at the festival gate, we recommend steering clear. Often, these passes are counterfeit. But even if they’re not, you’ll still end up paying an arm and a leg.
Always purchase your tickets in advance. Buy them directly from the festival or an authorized reseller such as Stubhub. If you’re concerned about the festival selling out, sign up for presales and other special offers from the festival promoters.
Tip #2. Make an Activity Plan
A big festival like Coachella features over 100 bands and solo artists, plus dozens of DJs, interactive exhibits, games, rides, VIP experiences, and more. For some attendees, the choices can feel overwhelming. You won’t be able to see everything – and if you try to do too much, you might get stressed out and exhausted.
Luckily, most festivals release their schedules in advance. You can find out what time your favorite artists are playing and which stage they’ll be performing on. Use this information to build a basic itinerary for each day of the festival. Prioritize your “must see” acts and activities, schedule meal times, and more.
Tip #3. Pack Mindfully
Packing for a music festival in the desert is all about balance. You don’t want to bring too much, but you don’t want to forget the essentials, either. We always recommend making a packing list ahead of time. If it’s your first time and you’re not sure what to pack, get inspiration from travel blogs or ask on communities like Reddit.
Our own desert music festival packing list includes:
- Underwear, socks, and other basics
- Toiletries and medications
- Comfortable, lightweight clothes
- A sweater or jacket (it may get chilly at night!)
- Sturdy shoes
- Hat, sunglasses, and plenty of sunscreen
- Portable phone charger
- Earplugs
Bonus Tip: When you’re packing for a music festival, make sure you read the festival’s official rules and regulations. Don’t bring prohibited items to the festival grounds.
Tip #4. Use Sun Protection
As we mentioned in our tip about packing, sun protection is essential. Nothing ruins your festival experience like a bad sunburn! But even if your skin can withstand the harsh rays, too much sun can lead to dehydration and exhaustion.
Sunglasses and sunscreen are vital. We also recommend wearing a sun hat and a lightweight hiking shirt or sun sleeves. If the festival allows them, consider bringing a parasol, too. Remember to take breaks in shaded areas and reapply your sunscreen every two hours or after excess sweating.
Tip #5. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
We get it – nobody wants to miss their favorite band because of the long lines for the restroom! But it’s very important to stay hydrated in the desert, especially if you’re also indulging in alcoholic beverages.
In the Coachella Valley, the desert conditions can cause dehydration very quickly. In the short term, you may experience headaches, dizzy spells, or nausea. More severe dehydration requires medical attention. Make sure you’re consuming plenty of water and electrolyte fluids while attending a desert music festival.
Tip #6. Stay at a Hotel
Many music festivals have campsites for tents and RVs. While camping can be a lot of fun, it’s not always the best option after a long day in the sun. Festival campsites are often very barebones, with portable restrooms, limited or no shower facilities, and not much privacy from your neighbors. Often, campsites are also noisy – many attendees keep the party going all night long.
That’s why we recommend staying at a hotel when you’re attending a desert music festival. You’ll be able to take a hot shower, sleep in a clean bed, and enjoy a quiet period of rest and relaxation before the next day. And did someone say room service? If you’re tired of overpriced festival food or chalky protein bars, staying at a hotel expands your culinary options.
Tip #7. Book Transportation
We also recommend booking private transportation. Coachella Valley is a beautiful place, but it wasn’t built to withstand thousands of extra cars. Many attendees report long hours in traffic on their way to desert music festivals. Plus, parking fees are often very expensive.
That’s why Xpress Shuttles offers an exclusive VIP package for festivalgoers. Skip the long wait time for rideshare services, save your parking fee, and get to the festival grounds in comfort and style with free refreshments and snacks. We also offer special deals on stays in local Marriott Villas.
Learn more about our Desert Festival VIP service or call 866-805-4234 to book your rides today!