April 20, 2026, 11:45 am | Read time: 6 minutes
Coachella is considered the most breathtaking, trendiest, and perhaps most expensive festival in the world. Our author was there–and had an unforgettable time. Here she explains why you shouldn’t pay attention to the negative opinions on the internet.
It’s almost impossible to avoid the prejudices and various opinions about Coachella on social media and elsewhere. From “See and be seen” to “It’s just stars and influencers” to “No one goes to Coachella for the music” or “Way too expensive for what it is,” the festival is painted in a damning light online. I traveled to California and visited it for the first time–and formed my own opinion of the global phenomenon Coachella.
Prejudice No. 1 – “It’s impossible to get tickets–and accommodations are always booked”
There’s a common myth about Coachella that it’s impossible to get tickets. That’s simply not true. Coachella is a festival like any other, just much more popular. Therefore, you can normally purchase tickets through the official website. This year, demand was very high, and all 250,000 tickets sold out within a few days. So yes, you have to be quick, but it’s not impossible to get tickets.
As for accommodations, it’s indeed wise to book well in advance. If you don’t look for a place to stay quickly enough, prices can skyrocket. Whether it’s Airbnb, hotel, or camping, those who find something quickly have a clear price advantage.
Camping was not an option for me. Temperatures can reach up to 104 degrees, and the wind conditions are unpredictable. A tent accommodation was therefore a no-go. I chose a hotel in the nearby town of Indian Wells. We booked the hotel before purchasing the tickets, and I recommend this to anyone planning to attend the Coachella Festival. Those who book late will pay significantly higher prices for both hotels and Airbnb accommodations.
Prejudice No. 2 – “The organization can’t work at a festival of this size”
To be honest, I also thought the organization around the festival would be disastrous. 250,000 wristbands have to be sent worldwide, and the areas around the festival grounds are rather small. Additionally, the infrastructure around such a large event often doesn’t work well, leading to massively overcrowded roads.
However, I was convinced otherwise and am still impressed by how smoothly everything worked. The wristbands were delivered by mail directly to my home about a week before the festival. With that, the organizational preparation was almost complete.
Even the journey to the festival and coordination on the grounds were stress-free. I opted for the shuttle bus option. On none of the three festival days did I have to wait long, and I traveled almost traffic-free with the shuttle back and forth. Even the lines at the entrance were manageable. I think I’ve rarely waited so little on my travels through America as I did at the Coachella Festival.
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Additionally, the atmosphere was not only positive among the visitors but also among everyone working at the festival. I was always greeted kindly and rarely encountered any unfriendly interactions. Even in hectic situations, like during the closing on Saturday after Justin Bieber’s performance, there was no pushing or shouting. I believe the friendliness of the staff rubbed off on the visitors, allowing everyone to have a safe and enjoyable festival experience.
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Prejudice No. 3 – “The lineup is mainstream and the audience is boring”
At the time I purchased the tickets, I didn’t know who would be performing at the festival. It’s clear that the headliners are usually very well-known names. In previous years, they included Lady Gaga, Travis Scott, Lana Del Rey, or Bad Bunny. I got to experience Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, and Karol G live as headliners, and I couldn’t have been happier. The stage productions by Sabrina Carpenter and Karol G were breathtaking. I still can hardly believe I witnessed Justin Bieber’s live comeback. But the headliners aren’t everything. Over 130 artists perform over a weekend.
Many don’t know that the founders’ original idea was to create an alternative to commercial festivals with Coachella. The focus was not only on music but also on art installations and light shows. In the early 2000s, the lineup planning focused mainly on rock and indie artists. Today, the lineup is a colorful mix of pop, EDM, hip-hop, indie, and rock. So it’s much more diverse than many claim. I didn’t know many of the artists who performed, but that’s what made it so special. I discovered new music and new genres and was able to enjoy the music with an audience of all ages and backgrounds.
The prejudice that American crowds aren’t as charged as European ones can be partially confirmed. Depending on the set, there was more or less dancing and singing along. Of course, it also depends on the music genre and the show how much the audience interacts. However, this didn’t bother me at all. My attitude is and remains: If the mood isn’t there yet, then I’ll bring it myself. And that’s what I did. I enjoyed every set, sang along to the songs I knew, and danced more than I have on any other weekend before. So yes, sometimes the mood wasn’t as expected, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t have the best time.
Three Days Full of Music, Sun, and Good Vibes
I can’t say enough how much I enjoyed every second of the festival. From the organization to the lineup, I was thoroughly impressed. Despite collecting more than 20,000 steps daily and having a hoarse voice from all the singing, I return to Germany full of energy. I’ll never forget how excited and full of anticipation I was when I entered the festival grounds. The impressions I took away are priceless. Yes, the trip with flights, accommodation, food, and tickets is expensive. But I wouldn’t want to miss my experience there. On the contrary: It was truly worth every cent.
I’m glad I didn’t listen to what I heard from many people on the internet beforehand. Many of these opinions come from people who haven’t even been to the festival themselves. For every music lover, Coachella is a special experience that will remain in memory forever. Who knows, maybe I’ll travel to the California desert again in a few years to visit Coachella a second time. I certainly wouldn’t say no.