Coachella 2026: Celebrating 25 Years of Music and Art
- The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival has returned to the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, for its 25th anniversary edition.
- The 2026 festival features a high-profile lineup of headliners, including Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, and Karol G.
- Beyond the primary headliners, the 2026 bill includes more than 100 acts.
The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival has returned to the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, for its 25th anniversary edition. Running from April 10 to April 19, 2026, the event marks a quarter-century since its launch in 1999, evolving from a regional gathering into a global cultural phenomenon centered on music, art, and fashion.
The 2026 festival features a high-profile lineup of headliners, including Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, and Karol G. Notably, Karol G is recognized as the first Latina artist to headline the festival. Anyma is debuting a new project titled Æden
.
Diverse Lineup and Global Performances
Beyond the primary headliners, the 2026 bill includes more than 100 acts. The festival has emphasized global representation and unique collaborations this year. Bini has made history as the first Filipino group to perform at Coachella, appearing on the Mojave stage. The girl group Katseye also performed, appearing on the Sahara stage.
The event features a blend of electronic and industrial music through a collaboration between Nine Inch Nails and Boys Noize, performing as a single act called Nine Inch Noize
. This performance serves as an extended version of the third act from the Peel It Back Tour.
Rock and avant-garde influences are also present, with performances by Iggy Pop and David Byrne. English artist FKA Twigs is also scheduled to perform, following her inability to participate in the 2025 festival.
Festival Scale and Experience
The 25th edition saw significant commercial demand, with tickets selling out within a week of the lineup announcement on September 15, 2025. The festival operates across two twin weekends, with crowds attending in person at the Empire Polo Club while millions more watch via a YouTube livestream.
In addition to the musical performances, the festival remains a hub for large-scale art installations and fashion. The event’s identity is built on the intersection of these three elements, creating a specific atmosphere often described as only-at-the-festival vibes
.
The 2026 experience includes various specialized stages and areas, such as the Outdoor Theatre, where Turnstile performed, and the DoLab, featuring DJ Fifi. The festival’s infrastructure also supports a wide array of amenities, including featured restaurants and the Outstanding in the Field
dining experience.
Historical Context
Co-founded by Paul Tollett and Rick Van Santen in 1999 and organized by Goldenvoice, a subsidiary of AEG Presents, the festival has grown to encompass a wide range of genres, including indie, pop, rock, hip hop, and electronic dance music. The 2026 anniversary serves as a milestone for the event’s influence on the global music industry and its role in kicking off the annual festival season.