Get those festival fits ready people, it’s spring and summer music festival time. California is home to some of the biggest festival concerts out there. Let’s take a look at what we can expect from the 2026 line-ups and the culture that makes these events so memorable…
First up is Coachella which takes place April 10-12 and 17-19. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the iconic event. 2026 headliners include Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, and Karol G. Coachella boasts a versatile line-up to attract a wide range of concert goers. This year there will be an even greater focus on crossover acts. Coachella is putting an emphasis on providing solo attendees with a better experience and has upgraded their camping and overnight sleeping areas. Tickets to this coveted experience are sold out, so if you can’t be there in person you can always watch on YouTube, Tik Tok, and other social media platforms. For those who are attending the festival, you can expect to see the best of the best music stars, up and coming artists, influencers around every corner, and a fashion scene like no other which truly makes Coachella so special.
“It is always very fun to see new artists that you have never heard before that turned out to be really good”, said Jaxon Akin (12).
Another big multi-day festival is Stage Coach. This heavy country fest takes place on the same grounds as Coachella at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. Although not as big as Coachella, this festival is still very popular and is growing with the rise of country music in the mainstream. Stage Coach also features non-Country acts to draw a larger audience. This year they will host a wide variety of other genres from rock to pop. Some of the bigger names include: Journey, Hootie & the Blowfish, Pitbull, and hip-hop/rap artist Ludacris.
“The fashion at this festival is different then any other. As most people dress in country attire rather than the flamboyant look you might see at festivals like Coachella,” said Emery Thompson (12).
BeachLife Festival is the largest concert event located at the beach in Southern California. Taking place in Redondo Beach during May 1-3, this festival has an eclectic line-up this year. From Duran Duran and the Chainsmokers to the Offspring and James Taylor, there is something for just about everyone. Like the above mentioned festivals, BeachLife also provides music lovers with awesome experiences. They offer private suites, surf clubs which are VIP rooms, a speakeasy, and exceptional food. With a background of the beautiful Pacific.
A music experience that is not in the desert but is still extremely popular is Rolling Loud. This festival is primarily rap and hip-hop. This festival has been present in LA for a few years, but at the moment is not scheduled to return. They have announced locations outside of California where you can experience it. Former headliners at this festival included Asap Rocky, PlayBoi Carti, and Post Malone. Students who attended this festival would love to see it return to LA.
“Music really connects people and it’s so interesting to see a whole group of people come together over the same songs”, said Kaiya Balcom (12).
So, whether you are in the mood for wild times in the desert or a rockin’ experience at the beach, California has you covered. Grab your SPF 50 and get ready for the time of your life.
