The first weekend of Coachella 2015 is now just days away. Weekend 1 kicks off April 10th. Weekend 2 takes over the Empire Polo Grounds on the 17th. If you are one of the lucky ones to have tickets, you’ll be in for a lot of new surprises this year, from the art to the special guest performances. Whether this is your first or 5th time attending this magical festival, here are some tips from a professional festival-goer and lover of Coachella.
- Double Check Your Hotel Reservation
With the festival just days away, it’s best to re-confirm your reservation with your hotel. If you haven’t booked a place to stay yet, HURRY. A few hotel rooms are still left in Palm Springs starting around $200 a night. If you want to stay closer to the venue, it will cost you a lot more. This goes with finding a house or room on Airbnb and other rental sites.
- Activate Your Wristband
You’ll need to activate your Coachella wristband before you enter the festival. Be sure to do this at home before you leave!
- Stay Hydrated
Drinking water (not just beer and alcohol) is necessary for you to stay hydrated at Coachella. According to Accuweather, temperatures will be in the mid 80’s and there could be a light shower or two for weekend 2. As a former resident of Palm Springs, I can say the sun will take a toll on you if you aren’t prepared.
- Keep Safe From the Sun
As I mentioned, the sun will be out in full force. Be sure to bring sunscreen, a handfan, hat/visor or a parasol. If you forget to bring any of these, you can purchase them on site at the festival. Trust me, nobody wants to go home with a sunburn, but a nice desert tan instead. You’ll also want a scarf or bandana to keep the dust out of your face.
- Dress Comfortably
Wear shorts, tank tops, sun dresses…anything loose fitting is probably best for this festival. Also wear shoes unless you want your toes to be stepped on inside the Sahara tent.
- Wear A Fanny Pack / Small Backpack
You’ll want to wear a fanny pack or bring a small backpack to the festival to carry all of your stuff. You can always stash it all in a locker for a small fee. Also, you may want to write down your phone number on it – just in case it gets lost. Be sure to do the same with your wallet and cellphone! I would write down your phone number and name on a piece of paper – take a picture of it – and make that picture your home screen! This way you can be contacted if your phone gets lost.
- Time Stamp Text Messages
Sometimes your text messages won’t go through – or they go through late. For that reason – TIME STAMP THEM.
- Make A Home Base
Pick a spot for your group to meet up at. Just be sure to not pick something that moves around the grounds!
- Bring A Phone Charger
There will be charging stations at Coachella 2015. But you’ll want to bring a cord with you! I also advise purchasing a re-chargeable one that you can keep on you and use when your phone’s battery runs low. Try not to use your phones often and only when you need it, so that you can enjoy the full experience. On the topic of phones, Selfie Sticks are NOT allowed inside the festival – so leave them at home, for everyone’s sake.
- Bring Cash
Be sure to go to an ATM and get cash before you head to Coachella. That way you won’t have to deal with an ATM line or fees.
- Have Fun!
Explore the festival and see new acts. Discover new stages and get lost in the amazing artwork that blankets the grounds. Be free and have fun and share those good vibes with everyone around you.
We’ll see you there for weekend 2!!
— Jared
Photo: Daniel Zetterstrom
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