Your first Coachella is a little like your first trip to IKEA. You show up confident, you underestimate how long it will take, and halfway through you’re tired, hungry, and wondering why you thought this would be “fun.”

Coachella can be amazing. But first-timers usually get tripped up by the same predictable things: scale, sun, walking, lines, and the fact that the desert isn’t interested in your personal storyline.

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Expectation vs Reality

Expectation: “We’ll casually see a bunch of artists.”

Reality: You’ll see fewer artists than you think, and that’s normal. Getting from one stage to another takes time, crowds slow you down, and you’ll lose chunks of your day to basics like food, bathrooms, and re-finding your friends.

Expectation: “We’ll show up whenever.”

Reality: Timing matters. Arriving, getting through security, and getting oriented takes longer than people plan for. If there’s someone you truly want to see, give yourself buffer. The festival does not reward last-minute energy.

Expectation: “The desert won’t be that bad.”

Reality: The sun is aggressive and the air is dry. Even if it’s not brutally hot, you’ll dehydrate faster than you expect. If you wait until you feel thirsty, you’re already behind.

Expectation: “It’s basically a concert.”

Reality: It’s a full-day outdoor event with a lot of walking and standing. Think theme park logistics with live music happening everywhere.

Expectation: “We’ll leave and get home easily.”

Reality: Leaving can be the worst part. Traffic, shuttles, rideshare chaos, exhaustion, and crowds all collide at the same time. Have a plan for your exit or accept that your patience will be tested.

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The Most Common First-Timer Mistakes

• Over-scheduling. Trying to see everything is how you end up seeing less and being cranky about it.
• Underestimating walking. Your feet will hate you if you pretend this is a “cute shoes” event.
• Not eating enough. People weirdly forget food exists until they’re exhausted and irritable.
• Not planning water and sun protection. The desert always wins this one.
• Assuming phones will solve everything. Service can be spotty and batteries die fast. Plan like it’s 2009.

How to Have a Better First Coachella (Without Becoming a Festival Robot)

• Pick 1–2 non-negotiables per day. Everything else is bonus content.
• Build in breaks. You don’t get extra points for never sitting down.
• Wear shoes you’ve actually worn. Brand new shoes are a sabotage attempt.
• Hydrate before you arrive. Starting the day dehydrated is a classic mistake.
• Decide your exit plan early. The end-of-night scramble is where joy goes to die.

Who This Post Is For (And Who Should Ignore It)

This is for you if: you’ve never been to Coachella, you’re going with a group, and you want to avoid the classic first-time pain points.

Skip this if: you’re a seasoned festival person who enjoys raw chaos and learns nothing from anyone, ever.

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Related: Who Should Actually Go to Coachella (And Who Should Skip It) | Going to Coachella for One Day Only: Is It Worth It?

Festival logistics and policies change often. Always confirm details through official sources before you make plans.