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Welcome to the 2026 Music Festival Guide, your ultimate resource for everything you need to know about this year’s biggest events. If you’re searching for the can’t-miss festivals, top touring artists, and insider tips for planning your trip, or simply, where is Coachella in 2026? This guide has your 2026 music festival season covered.
Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival
April 10–12 & 17–19, 2026 – Indio, CA
If you’re wondering where Coachella is in 2026, it’s returning once again to the Empire Polo Club in Indio, CA – its iconic home since 1999.
This can’t-miss festival is the crown jewel of music festivals, blending massive headliners with genre-hopping surprises, desert sunsets, and otherworldly art installations. Whether you’re dancing barefoot in the campgrounds or sipping cocktails in a Palm Springs pool, Coachella is the kind of escape that sticks with you long after the last beat drops. Ultimately, if you’re chasing unforgettable moments—this is where they live.
What else is Indio, CA known for?
- Bird Sanctuary – Indio is an official National Bird Sanctuary because of its location along seasonal bird migration routes.
- Dates – Indio is a major agricultural center for dates, and you can visit places like Shields Date Farm to learn about them and try a date shake.
Stagecoach Festival
April 24–26, 2026 – Indio, CA
Stagecoach is Coachella’s wilder, boot-stompin’, country cousin. It trades sequins for Stetsons and fringe for
flannel—but don’t let the country roots fool you. In fact, this festival brings serious energy, big-name headliners, and just enough genre-bending flair to keep it fresh. Think three days of sun-soaked sing-alongs, smoky BBQ, and dancing under desert stars. Above all, it’s part rodeo, part
rock show! It’s a three-day sing-along with a down-home vibe.
What else can you do in Indio, CA?
- Golf – The city is a popular destination for golfers, with many courses located in and around the city.
- Art & Culture – The city has an emerging downtown scene with new dining, retail, and entertainment venues, along with public art and murals.
Who’s touring in 2026?
If you’re wondering who’s touring in 2026, the early festival lineups already paint a pretty exciting picture. Between the Coachella and Stagecoach festivals alone, fans can expect massive names on the road this year—from global superstars like Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, Young Thug, and Karol G at Coachella to powerhouse acts like Post Malone, Cody Johnson, Journey, and Hootie & the Blowfish at Stagecoach. With lineups this stacked, the 2026 touring season is shaping up to be one of the biggest in years—setting the tone for what you’ll see across the rest of the year’s festivals.
Lollapalooza
July 30–August 2, 2026 – Chicago, IL
Lollapalooza is always near the top when fans search for what festivals are in 2026. Set in downtown Chicago’s Grant Park, Lolla delivers a non-stop, genre-blending rush with the city skyline as your backdrop—and deep-dish pizza only steps away. It’s a high-energy, multi-genre, and totally walkable experience.
What are the best things to do in Chicago, IL?
South by Southwest (SXSW)
March 12–18, 2026 – Austin, TX
SXSW is less a festival and more like an experience buffet with music, film, tech, marketing, startups, and parties. One minute you’re watching an indie band blow the roof off a dive bar, the next you’re in a panel with a tech visionary or stumbling into a surprise film premiere. Consequently, every street, venue, and coffee shop becomes a stage, a launchpad, or a networking goldmine. If you love chaos, creativity, and constant discovery, SXSW is your playground. Our 2026 music Festival guide will be indispensable for scheduling your visits.
Why is Austin a must-see city?
- Live Music: Austin is famous for its live music, with over 250 music venues and legendary spots like The Continental Club and Antone’s Nightclub.
- Culture and Entertainment: The city has diverse cultural attractions, from its unique entertainment districts to museums and state capitol tours.
- Outdoor Activities: There are many opportunities for outdoor fun, such as exploring the Hill Country or visiting spots like Mount Bonnell for sunset views.
Burning Man
August 30–September 6, 2026 – Black Rock Desert, NV
Burning Man isn’t a music festival; it’s a temporary city dropped in the middle of the Nevada desert. And you don’t just attend, you build, contribute, and co-create. There’s no lineup, no headliners, no merch stands. Instead, you bring everything you need, give what you can, and leave no trace behind. It’s dusty, wild, deeply personal, and completely unforgettable! It’s a week-long dive into art, expression, and human connection at its rawest. This 2026 Music Festival Guide is what you need to prepare fully for such an experience.
Who created Burning Man?
Larry Harvey and Jerry James created Burning Man in 1986 as a spontaneous act of radical self expression and catharsis, with an inspiration from “The Golden Bough” beginning with burning a wooden effigy on a San Francisco beach.
Tips
- Book early: Tickets, hotels, and flights get pricier the longer you wait.
- Split lodging with friends to reduce hotel or Airbnb costs.
- Use shuttle passes instead of rideshares at Coachella and Stagecoach.
- Bring your own food and gear (when allowed) to avoid inflated prices.
- Opt for GA passes if VIP perks aren’t a must for you.
Need help packing for your festival?
Check out The Ultimate Music Festival Packing Guide: What to Bring for an Epic Weekend to stay comfortable, prepared, and fully immersed from day one.
FAQs
Coachella in 2026 takes place at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, the festival’s long-time home in the Coachella Valley. Both weekends—April 10–12 and April 17–19—are held at this iconic desert venue known for its expansive grounds, art installations, and signature festival atmosphere.
Major 2026 music festivals include Coachella, Stagecoach, SXSW, Lollapalooza, and Burning Man, along with dozens of regional events across the U.S. These festivals span genres from pop and rock to country, EDM, and indie, offering fans a full season of live music experiences.
SXSW in Austin, TX is your go-to for discovery. It’s not just about live music—this multi-day event combines film, tech, startups, panels, and pop-up showcases. You could catch an unsigned band at noon, sit in on a VR tech demo by 3pm, and end your night at an industry party with indie filmmakers. It’s curated chaos in the best way.