Coachella 2024: Need a break from music? 5 activities to do at the festival
What is there to do at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival when you want to take a little break from jamming out? A lot more than you might think.
While you're waiting for headliners Lana Del Rey, Tyler, The Creator, and Doja Cat to hit the stage, you can pass the time with a number of activities, games and other experiences scattered throughout the Empire Polo Club grounds. Coachella is set to take place April 12-14 and April 19-21 in Indio.
Here are just five of the creative, silly and tasty experiences you can find during both Coachella weekends. Find even more by visiting www.coachella.com/activities.
1. Dine at Outstanding in the Field
If you want to take a break from all the festival grub and instead enjoy a unique dining experience with some of the best chefs in the world, head over to the VIP Rose Garden for Outstanding in the Field.
Back for its ninth iteration at the music festival, Outstanding in the Field is a four-course, communal-style dining experience that showcases international cuisine. Each day, a new chef will treat hungry guests with culinary flavors spanning Australia to Mexico.
This year's chefs include:
Friday, April 12: Javier Plascencia, who owns and operates Erizo and Caffe Saverios in Tijuana, is known for his innovative concepts and critically-acclaimed restaurants that blend traditional Mexican cuisine with an influence from the bi-national culture of the Californias
Saturday, April 13: Jo Barrett and Josh Niland, both of Australia, advocate for sustainability. Barrett celebrates local and seasonal produce at her restaurant, Little Picket, and Niland focuses on ethically sourcing and handling of fish, seen at his restaurants Saint Peter and Fish Butchery
Sunday, April 14: Burt Bakman, owner of SLAB in Los Angeles, will bring his barbecue craft to the desert
Friday, April 19: Ilan Hall, "Top Chef" winner and owner of The Gorbals, Esh and Ramen Hood, brings culinary creativity through communal dining
Saturday, April 20: Gabe Kennedy, winner of Anthony Bourdain’s "The Taste" and owner of Checker Hall, promotes a communal, green and healthy world
Sunday, April 21: Karla Subero Pittol, owner of Chainsaw, embraces old-school outdoor cooking with open flames and charred produce, infusing her dishes with bold flavors inspired by her Venezuelan roots
All meals begin at 6 p.m. Tickets, which cost $350, include a welcome cocktail, dinner and access to the VIP Rose Garden. For more information, visit www.coachella.com/outstanding-in-the-field.
2. Create your next masterpiece at Coachella Art Studios
It's always a good time for craft time, and Coachella agrees. Head over to the Coachella Art Studios in the camping area (all passholders are welcome to visit the camping area during the day even if they aren't staying there) to make some take-home memories from your time in the desert. Make jewelry to make your outfit pop even more, or add some beads and sparkles to what you're already wearing as you prepare to dance the night away. The space even has products available to create an aromatherapy oil, which is a must-have relaxer after hours of listening to head-pounding music — not to mention if you forget to put on deodorant in the morning.
Bonus: Not feeling artsy? The camping area also boasts a lounge (featuring wifi and napping spots), an activities tent (featuring games, raffles and a dancefloor) as well as a wellness oasis (featuring daily yoga, meditation and sound healing sessions) that are open to all festivalgoers. If you're feeling extra energized, visit the shaded Field of Dreams area in camping lot 8 for a variety of activities such as potato sack races, human Tic-Tac-Toe, "Squid Games," over/under, Super Soaker Twister, dodgeball, hot potato, limbo and more.
3. Connect with your inner child at the Energy Playground
Refuel in more ways than one at the Energy Playground. The Global Inheritance Energy seesaws give festivalgoers the opportunity to act like a kid again all while they learn about the importance of renewable energy. It's also a spot where they can charge their phones.
Bonus: If you're looking for other climate-oriented programming, check out Global Inheritance's POSTed Studio next door, where you can design posters advocating for solutions to the major challenges facing the planet. Global Inheritance will also host several speaker events at the studio's outpost in the camping area throughout Coachella. Check back closer to the festival for the Global Inheritance Speaker Stage Lineup (which has included appearances by several Coachella performers in the past).
4. Shop for your favorite album at Record Safari
It only makes sense to have a record store on site during a music festival, and thankfully Coachella is on the same page as us. Head over to Record Safari to browse through more than 25,000 new and used vintage vinyl, and if you find something you like, staff will store your goods until Sunday for $10 (you also get a tote bag).
Bonus: This air-conditioned tent, which will soon become your best friend at Coachella, will also carry Record Store Day exclusives on April 20.
5. Search for love (or just laughs) during the Polar Bear Dating Game
Love is in the air at Coachella ... with a twist. Join the hilariously named Polar Bear Dating Game in the camping area for a chance to win a date with Urusus the Polar Bear and elevated festival passes. Contestants are tasked with impressing Urusus with their knowledge of climate change, living sustainably and visions of the future, which may include long walks on the beach, as long as sea levels don't rise too much. More details about where you can find Urusus onsite will be revealed closer to the festival dates.
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Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter @ema_sasic.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Coachella 2024: 5 things to do at the festival away from the stages
