The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival kicked off its 2026 edition on April 10, with the first weekend running through April 12 at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. The festival, one of the largest and most influential music events in North America, faced significant challenges from strong desert winds, which impacted some stage setups and attendee comfort.
Headlining performances for the first weekend included major acts such as Rihanna, who made a highly anticipated return to the stage, and the rock band Foo Fighters. The lineup heavily featured artists popular with millennial audiences, driving a theme of nostalgia. Despite the windy conditions, which are not uncommon for the desert venue, large crowds attended the festival's numerous stages and art installations.
Organizers have confirmed the festival will proceed with its scheduled second weekend from April 17 to April 19, 2026. Safety measures are being reviewed in response to the weather conditions experienced during the first weekend. The economic impact on the Coachella Valley region from the festival is estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
