It’s been three years since the masses last descended upon the grounds of the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival and its sister country music festival, Stagecoach, at the Empire Polo Club in Indio.

Coachella officially returns for two weekends, April 15-17 and 22-24, with headliners Billie Eilish, Harry Styles and Ye (formerly known as Kanye West) and Stagecoach is back April 29-May 1 with Thomas Rhett, Carrie Underwood and Luke Combs.

Both events — which are curated annually by Southern California concert promoter Goldenvoice and draw anywhere from 75,000-125,000 fans per weekend — were forced to postpone numerous times and alter their lineups due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since all major gatherings were canceled for the better part of two years, even the most seasoned of concertgoers may be a little rusty when it comes to getting back into multiple-day festival shape.

As the number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations dropped in Southern California, Coachella and Stagecoach announced in February that in accordance with local guidelines they would no longer require COVID-19 vaccinations, tests or face masks for attendees. However, there are still a few precautions in place and important things fans need to know, or be reminded of, before hitting the sprawling festival grounds to party it up over the next three weeks.

KNOW THE RISKS

With variants of COVID-19 still very much in play, the official Coachella and Stagecoach websites caution that all attendees should evaluate their risk in determining whether or not to attend the festival and that by entering, they voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19. It says people should not attend if they’re feeling ill or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Long before the virus-forced mask mandates, Coachella and Stagecoach attendees wore face masks, bananas and neck gaiters to these festivals because of the dust. Although not a requirement, festival producers are still recommending face coverings to protect against desert dust. For more on the festival’s health and safety protocols, visit coachella.com or stagecoachfestival.com.

UPDATED BAG POLICY 

The bag policy has been altered from previous years for both festivals and large bags are not allowed. However, medium-sized backpacks (about 18″ tall, 13″ wide and 8″ thick), small purses, handbags, totes and fanny packs are OK to bring in, but will be subject to search. Small parasols (not umbrellas) and beach towels and blankets (60″ x 30″ or smaller) are also permitted. Lockers are available on site and they’ve gone keyless this year, allowing mobile tickets to be scanned at check-in. The lockers, which should be reserved in advance on the festival websites, are available in medium, large and extra large sizes and run $55-$80 for the weekend.

BRING THE NECESSITIES

Since the weather can climb into triple digita some days, it’s important to hydrate. Guests can bring in empty plastic reusable water bottles (no metal, glass, aluminum or steel) that hold 40 ounces of water or less to refill at a variety of water stations throughout the venue. These are very long days in the sun, so sunscreen or sunblock should be applied and replied regularly. However, the venue does not allow aerosol spray cans. Only bottled lotion will make it inside.

There are plenty of places on site to rest in the shade as well as areas to duck into to grab a bite to eat, something cold to drink and usually a spot to charge a cell phone courtesy of the dozens of on-site vendors and festival activations. It’s also not a bad idea to wear light clothing during the daytime and to pack a light jacket or hoodie for the evening, a hat, lip balm, baby wipes, hand sanitizer, ear plugs and a phone charger, all of which are allowed into the venue. There’s also a general store on-site to purchase any items that may have been forgotten.

If you’re going to Stagecoach, you can also bring in a low-profile portable chair. If you’re going to Coachella, the ground is your friend.

WHERE TO GET HELP

With these being the largest festivals to return to the area since before the pandemic, Goldenvoice has stepped up its Every One campaign, which launched in 2019, to promote safety, support and inclusiveness. The festivals have implemented a strict no-tolerance policy for any form of verbal of physical sexual harassment nor any discriminatory act inducing homophobia, racism, transphobia, ableism, xenophobia, sexism or cultural appropriation. All attendees agree to this code of conduct when wristbands are purchased.

There will be several trained Every One Community Care team members roaming on-site and available at the information kiosks to offer their services to anyone who needs them. The Every One tent will be staffed with trained counselors and board-certified therapists for anyone in need of support or even for just a quiet moment away if the sudden return to “normal” becomes overwhelming.

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