Festivals / USA
What to wear to Coachella
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Coachella is a two-weekend desert festival in Indio, California, with pop, indie, hip-hop, Latin and electronic acts. Dressing for it means hot, dry days and cooler nights, a bag that fits the 18 x 13 x 8.5 in sizing box, and no chains or costume masks. The press says boho is still the house style, but in 2026 it went tougher and more practical.
- Dates
- 9–11 and 16–18 April 2027
- Where
- Indio, California
- Gate rules
- 9 listed
- Outfits
- 3
When and where
- 9–11 and 16–18 April 2027 at Empire Polo Club, Indio, California. NME, 22 Apr 2026Consequence
- Start planning your outfit by 26 Feb 2027, six weeks out. Searches for this festival peak in the last two weeks before it opens.
- Last edition: 10–12 and 17–19 April 2026. coachella.com
- The 2027 line-up has not been announced. As of September 2026 the press reported rumours only. mxdwn, 1 Sep 2026
- GA from $599 for weekend 1 and $549 for weekend 2, including fees (first tier). Advance passes are now waitlist only. Consequence
- About 125,000 per weekend (capacity); about 245,000 across both weekends in 2025 Wikipedia: Coachella
- Music: Pop, rock, indie, hip-hop, Latin and electronic, plus art installations.
- Official site
Weather and ground
- Indio in April averages a high of 85.8°F and a low of 63.1°F, with 0.07 in of rain (1991–2020 normals). The record high is 110°F. Wikipedia: Indio, California
- Temperatures recorded during the festival have ranged from 43°F (14 April 2012) to 106°F (21 April 2012), so expect desert heat by day and cool nights. Wikipedia: Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
- Polo-field grounds in the desert. We haven't confirmed from a source whether the surface underfoot is mostly grass or dirt. Wikipedia: Coachella
The dress code
Coachella is known as a fashion festival as much as a music one. Boho has been its signature for years, and the press says it is still there in a more grown-up form. In 2026 trend data also showed a tougher, simpler look: flat moto boots, micro shorts, metal belts and sports jerseys in place of flower crowns and lace.
- Wikipedia calls Coachella a "trendsetter in music and fashion". Wikipedia: Coachella
- Attendees wear "eclectic combinations of colors, materials, and ethnic borrowings", which has drawn long-running criticism for cultural appropriation. Wikipedia: Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
- Grazia's 2025 report: "Boho fashion is synonymous with Coachella, but this year, it's getting an upgrade." Its named trends included sheer pieces, fringe, micro shorts and embellishment. Grazia US
- HOLA! USA's 2026 preview listed futuristic boho, a Y2K revival, western-core, sheer layers, thrifted fashion and statement accessories. HOLA! USA
- Trendalytics described 2026 as a move away from boho to a "tougher, more simplified" look, with moto boots, balloon pants, metal belts and shield sunglasses replacing flower crowns and lace. Trendalytics: Coachella 2026
What people wore recently
- 2026: Among influencers, flat boots rose 633%, micro shorts 161% and soccer jerseys 59% (Trendalytics' own social and search data). Trendalytics: Coachella 2026
- 2026: Who What Wear's headline from the grounds: "Ponchos! Skullcaps! Fringe Boots!" Who What Wear
- 2026: Pinterest named six festival trends ten days before weekend 1, including Hot Tropic ("showgirl aesthetic" searches up 945%) and Swashbuckled ("suede mini skirt outfit" up 195%). Pinterest Newsroom, 31 Mar 2026
- 2025: Micro shorts rose 68% year on year, lingerie slip dresses 86%, hooded knits 83%, chunky belts 61% and black moto boots 57%. Trendalytics: festival season 2025
Leave these at home
- Native American-style headdresses. Non-Native attendees wearing them is the best-known appropriation criticism of Coachella. Wikipedia: Coachella
- Chains and chain wallets: they are on the banned list. Coachella FAQ
- Costume masks and LED gloves: both are banned. Coachella FAQ
On the ground
Outfits that work here
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Boho, grown up
Press in 2025 and 2026 says boho is still Coachella's staple but in an upgraded form, and the suede or knit layer covers the drop from about 86°F by day to about 63°F at night.
- White or ivory tiered maxi skirtThe light, loose boho anchor for the heat.Shop at Spell
- Fitted tank or sheer topSheer layers appear in both the Grazia 2025 and HOLA! 2026 lists.
- Suede fringe bootsFringe boots were in Who What Wear's 2026 headline.Shop at Ariat
- Suede jacket or open knit for after darkDesert nights get cool.
- Crossbody bagAny bag must fit the 18 x 13 x 8.5 in sizing box.
Tough and simple
Trendalytics' 2026 data shows flat boots, micro shorts, soccer jerseys, metal belts and shield sunglasses taking over from flower crowns and lace.
- Soccer jersey or fitted baby teeJerseys rose 59% among influencers in 2026.
- Micro shorts or balloon pantsBoth are named in the 2026 report.
- Flat moto bootsFlat boots were the biggest 2026 riser (+633%).
- Metal-hardware beltA belt is fine; chains and chain wallets are banned.
- Shield sunglassesFor the desert glare.Shop at QuayShop at Crap Eyewear
- Plastic hydration pack, 2 litres or lessMust be empty at the gate.
Day-to-night layers
The April average swings about 23°F between day and night, and a parasol is the only shade the rules allow you to carry.
- Slip dress or sheer layer over shortsLingerie slip dresses rose 86% in 2025.
- Hooded knit or pashminaBoth were 2025 risers, and they earn their place after sunset.
- Broken-in cowboy bootsWestern-core is on the 2026 list.Shop at TecovasShop at Boot Barn
- Parasol with a bamboo or other non-metal stemNo larger than 23 x 32 in open. Umbrellas are banned.
Quick answers
When is Coachella 2027?
Coachella runs 9–11 and 16–18 April 2027 in Indio, California, USA.
What are the bag and item rules at Coachella?
Bags: Bags, backpacks and purses must be 18 x 13 x 8.5 in or smaller and fit the sizing box. There is no clear-bag rule. Hydration packs: Allowed if empty, plastic only, 2 litres or less. Chains: Chains and chain wallets are banned. Masks and costumes: Non-PPE items such as costume masks are banned. PPE masks are allowed. Rules change each year, so check the festival's own page before you pack.
What should I wear to Coachella?
Coachella is a two-weekend desert festival in Indio, California, with pop, indie, hip-hop, Latin and electronic acts. Dressing for it means hot, dry days and cooler nights, a bag that fits the 18 x 13 x 8.5 in sizing box, and no chains or costume masks. The press says boho is still the house style, but in 2026 it went tougher and more practical. One outfit that works: boho, grown up. Press in 2025 and 2026 says…
What is the weather like at Coachella?
Indio in April averages a high of 85.8°F and a low of 63.1°F, with 0.07 in of rain (1991–2020 normals). The record high is 110°F.
See it before you go
Scenes you’ll see here
- Boho
Floaty skirts, suede and fringe, now in a more grown-up cut.
- Pinterest's 2026 festival trends
Six looks Pinterest named for the 2026 festival season, with the search numbers behind them.
- Sporty and Blokecore
Football shirts, caps and flat boots in the festival field.
- Western
Boots, hats and denim, now with more leather and grit.
