Grace Vaccaro, Staff Writer
Across the United States, in Indio, California, thousands prepare for the annual Coachella Music Festival. This festival will take place over two weekends, from April 10th to the 19th. This highly anticipated event takes the world by storm each year — a celebration of music, fashion, and food.
Coachella began back in 1993 when Pearl Jam performed at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. By boycotting Ticketmaster venues, the band was able to perform at a location that could host a large audience. Paul Tollett and Rick Van Santen were inspired by this event to create a festival that focused on the beauty of music. The first Coachella festival was hosted in 1999. This event was a disaster due to a lack of funding from corporations and low ticket sales, as this event was only a couple of months after the violent riots of Woodstock ‘99. Tollet and Van Santen lost $850,000. However, it returned in 2001, as a single-day event, fostering more ticket sales. Now Coachella has evolved into a two-weekend event as the demand for performances has grown.
Tickets for this event sell out in a matter of seconds. The 2026 event sold out within the week that tickets went on sale. T General admission to the event costs $500-600. Even with the hefty ticket price, the event will garner over 125,000 attendees.
Between 2012 and 2016, the bohemian style of dress gained popularity due to this event. Celebrities such as Vanessa Hudgens were trendsetters. These clothes were relaxed and comfortable, embracing the desert environment. The festival wasn’t just about music anymore; it was about making a fashion statement.
As the festival became a media frenzy, social media influencers drove fashion toward something bolder and more shocking. Youtubers and TikTokers spend months curating the perfect outfits to draw attention and fame. If they weren’t getting likes, then there was no point in attending.
The headliners for 2026 include Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, and Karol G. Karol G will be the first Latina artist to headline the event. Sabrina Carpenter made her Coachella debut in 2024 as a headliner, while Justin Bieber has only guest performed. Other notable performers include Somber, Katseye, Laufey, Addison Raye, Teddy Swims, and the Strokes. Coachella has always been the music festival for all, including a variety of artists and genres, making it an unmissable event.
The food at Coachella has become just as popular as the artists performing. While other outdoor concerts consist of casual food such as hot dogs and pizza, Coachella features pop-ups from viral Southern California restaurants. Some highlights include Villa’s Tacos, a Michelin-recognized taqueria. Another is Gabino’s Creperie, which was featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Dive-Ins, and Drives. If you are craving New York pizza, you’ll be able to find it in California, with Prince St. Pizza.
Coachella has become a cultural phenomenon, an event that can not be ignored, no matter how interested you may be in the event. For the next month, social media platforms will be flooded with vlogs, reviews, and media surrounding the event.
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