How Coachella went from hippies to spoiled rich kid cosplay in $41,000 yurts with Champagne on tap
Coachella was once a dusty desert escape for music lovers – and groupies – willing to rough it for a weekend, surrounded by raw beauty and nature.
Now it’s a luxury playground where the price of entry rivals a family vacation – and the ‘camping’ experience can cost more than a car.
Attending one meant camping under the stars, surviving on non-perishables, and happily ignoring mirrors for three days straight.
Oh, how times have changed.
Ticket prices have soared, as have the costs of food trucks and pop-up bars. Rain boots and denim shorts have been replaced by the season’s hottest designer trends. Camping has evolved into glamping – or skipping the tent altogether for a villa or hotel nearby.
In today’s world, Coachella stands as the ultimate example of the modern music festival: part concert, part fashion show, and entirely aspirational.
Here are the prices you can expect if you plan on attending the festival.
Tickets
Coachella tickets originally went for $549 each. Add a shuttle to the festival grounds – because who actually camps anymore – and you’re looking at a starting price of $679. Not bad… if you were one of the lucky few to snag a pass during the official sale.
Fast forward to the days before Weekend One, and a three-day general admission pass is going for a staggering $6,440. Yikes.
Coachella tickets originally went for $549 each. Add a shuttle to the festival grounds and you’re looking at a starting price of $679
A three-day general admission pass is going for a staggering $6,440 just days before Coachella kicks off
Glamping
The ultimate glamping experience at Coachella doesn’t come cheap.
A tent near the festival grounds can cost as much as college tuition, a full year’s rent for a nice apartment, or even a car.
At the top of the luxury scale, the ‘ULTRA’ glamping options include The Resort: a yurt – a round, tent-like structure – that sleeps four and will set you back a jaw-dropping $41,000.
Break it down, and that’s roughly $10,000 per person. Pocket change, right?
Described as an ‘unparalleled experience’ within the Safari Campground tucked just behind the main festival grounds, these yurts come fully furnished, air-conditioned, and surrounded by lush palm trees and breathtaking mountain views.
But that’s just the beginning. Guests also enjoy golf cart rides between stages, private parking, air-conditioned restrooms and showers, breakfast and late-night snacks, an air-conditioned lounge, concierge service – and so much more.
It’s a far cry from the days of pop-up tents, sleeping bags, and dirt under your fingernails.
An ‘off-grid culinary experience’
Not tempted by taco trucks or burger vans? Don’t worry.
Artist James Denevan is bringing his traveling farm-to-table experience, Outstanding In The Field, to the VIP Rose Garden for the 12th year in a row.
‘Guests are greeted with a signature cocktail before settling in for a four-course, wine-paired communal dinner prepared by acclaimed chefs from California and beyond.’
Price tag? Just $362.50, please.
In today’s world, Coachella stands as the ultimate example of the modern music festival: part concert, part fashion show, and entirely aspirational
For festival attendees not tempted by taco trucks and burger vans, there is even a VIP culinary experiences, which costs almost $400
Lockers
Need a tiny metal box to stash essentials – portable chargers, water bottles, a jacket for the desert chill?
That’ll be $89 for a locker on festival grounds.
Worth it? Considering you’ll easily blow past 10,000 steps darting from stage to stage while hauling liters of water, probably yes.
