Coachella 2027: things to do nearby between sets

9 to 18 April 2027 · ExpectedPalm Springs and the Coachella Valley, United StatesTwo weekends in April

At Coachella the music runs from the afternoon, so mornings and the day after are free. This guide covers the town around the site: boat trips, a real meal, a shower and a day out from Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley.

Tours in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley Hotels for these dates

Know before you go

Afternoons pass 35°C: mornings are for the pool or the Palm Springs tramway.
Campers: a day pass for a spa, pool or hammam in town is the best money you will spend all weekend.

Airport to Empire Polo Club, Indio

Palm Springs (PSP) is 10 minutes from downtown Palm Springs and 30 minutes from Indio. LAX is 2.5 hours.

Official shuttles run from hotels across the valley; rideshare lots are a long walk.

Public transport directions to Empire Polo Club, Indio

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	Indio and Cathedral City	Cheaper rooms near the festival.
Mid-range	Palm Springs downtown	Pool hotels.
Splurge	Indian Wells and La Quinta	Golf resorts next to the tennis.

Three hotels we would book

Budget: Hampton Inn and Suites Indio
Mid-range: Ace Hotel and Swim Club
Splurge: Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort and Spa

Links search the nights from 8 April to 19 April. Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual festival weekend schedule for 9 to 18 April 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Before the gates open

Friday 9 April

Music runs from the afternoon. Mornings are free: get out on the water or into town.

Easy outingMid-century architecture tour Half day · Low walking
Modernist homes.
FreeVillageFest on Thursday nights.

A day off-site

Saturday 10 April

Skip the early acts and take a day trip. Be back for the headliners.

Half-dayHot air balloon Half day
Sunrise flight.
EatCheeky's Brunch

Campers: shower, food and a break

Day passes for pools and spas, and a real meal in town.

Rain or heat backupAir Museum.
EatShields Date Garden Date shakes

Recovery day

Monday 19 April

Slow outings only.

Easy outingIndian Canyons hike Half day · Family
Palm oases.
EatTyler's Burgers Burgers downtown

Family-friendly picks

Half day · Family

Indian Canyons hike

Palm oases.

See times and prices

Half day · Family

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Rotating cars up to cool mountain air.

See times and prices

Full day · Family

Joshua Tree day trip

National park 1 hour away.

See times and prices

Half day · Family

San Andreas Fault jeep tour

Desert canyons.

See times and prices

Living Desert Zoo.
Wet 'n' Wild Palm Springs.

Evening and day-trip tours

Full day · Family

Joshua Tree day trip

National park 1 hour away.

See times and prices

After dark

Arenas Road bars.

6 tours worth booking for Coachella

Tour	Length	Good for
Mid-century architecture tour	Half day	Tired legs
Hot air balloon	Half day	Everyone
Indian Canyons hike	Half day	Families
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway	Half day	Families
Joshua Tree day trip	Full day	Families
San Andreas Fault jeep tour	Half day	Families

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

Where to eat

Cheeky's Brunch
Shields Date Garden Date shakes
Tyler's Burgers Burgers downtown

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

Palm Springs Art Museum.
Air Museum.

Getting around on event days

You need a car or rideshare; festival shuttles run from hotels. April heat reaches 35°C.

Day trips from Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley

Joshua Tree: 1 hour
Salton Sea: 1 hour

Bringing a group?

Corporate hospitality, fan clubs, teams and families travelling together: tell us the dates and group size and we will put together tours, transfers and a group dinner for Coachella.

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is Coachella 2027?

The next edition is 9 to 18 April 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

How do I get from the airport to Empire Polo Club, Indio?

Palm Springs (PSP) is 10 minutes from downtown Palm Springs and 30 minutes from Indio. LAX is 2.5 hours. Official shuttles run from hotels across the valley; rideshare lots are a long walk.

Where should I stay for Coachella?

For most visitors the best base is Palm Springs downtown: Pool hotels.

What else can we do around Coachella?

Good short outings in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley include Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, San Andreas Fault jeep tour, Mid-century architecture tour. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near Coachella?

Family-friendly picks: Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, Joshua Tree day trip, San Andreas Fault jeep tour. Living Desert Zoo.

How far is Empire Polo Club, Indio from Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley centre?

About 33 km in a straight line. Official shuttles run from hotels across the valley; rideshare lots are a long walk.

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Everything we cover in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley