Coachella 2023: Your guide to all the non-music activities available at the festival

Although the main event is the internationally renowned headliners that make up the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival lineup, there's a plethora of non-music activities scattered throughout the Empire Polo Club grounds that also deserve your attention this festival season.

There's a little bit of everything this year, from salons to the iconic Coachella Ferris wheel — the latter of which is particularly magical (as the line will reflect) at sunset.

Here are just some of the activities, experiences, shopping and more you can find during both Coachella weekends.

Coachella 2023: A guide to food and drink at the festival

Activities and experiences

Adidas Campus

The seasonally expressive space, as it's described on the Coachella website, gives music buffs the opportunity to access one-of-a-kind experiences and surprises with a Bad Bunny twist. Fans can download the Adidas CONFIRMED app to get notified.

Amex Coachella

American Express is back for another year at the festival, and this year, the business is teaming up with Depop, the community-powered fashion resale marketplace, for an exclusive partnership that will bring new life to pre-loved clothing. Kicking off with rising hip-hop star (and Coachella performer) Flo Milli, the partnership will create special festival collections curated by a rotating list of talent all festival season. Additionally, Amex will have other on- and off-site benefits for cardholders, including a lounge space with a "Y2K camera emporium," limited-edition BLACKPINK merch not sold anywhere else on the festival grounds and access to Coachella merch at the Kimpton Palm Springs.

Festival goers use one of the camp shower areas to get ready for the day at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, Calif., Sunday, April 17, 2022.
Festival goers use one of the camp shower areas to get ready for the day at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, Calif., Sunday, April 17, 2022.

Camping area

  • Activities tent and lounge area: If you need to take a break from all the noise and craziness happening on the festival grounds, the Camping area is the spot for you. The activities tent will have everything from classic games to dance competitions. A game schedule has not been released yet. If you just want to unwind and find a quiet (or as quiet as possible) spot at the festival, the Camp Lounge area is the spot for you.

  • Coachella Art Studios: Get a little crafty as you're waiting for your favorite artists to hit the stage. Plus, you don't have to worry about bringing supplies with you as the art studio has everything you need.

  • The Salon: After just one day out in the desert you'll find yourself covered in dirt, sand and sweat. No one will judge you if your hair, or your entire self, looks a bit messy, but that's where the salon comes in — and no, it's not a mirage. The salon in the Camping Hub has full-length mirrors, outlets for hair dryers, straighteners and curlers and some desktop space for makeup/accessory application.

  • Wellness Oasis: Coachella can take a lot out of you, so it's important to rest and recharge when you can. Before you head out for a day full of dancing and walking around, check out the Wellness Oasis, where there is daily yoga, meditation, and sound healing sessions. Sessions are held 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Don't forget to bring a mat!

Note: The camping area is open to all GA passholders during the day, regardless of whether you're camping or not.

CASETiFY DiSCO EUPHORiA

The company that makes some of your favorite phone cases will have a disco selfie dome available both weekends where guests can enjoy cool air, free WiFi and phone charging stations. Plus, you can shop for some festival must-haves as well as exclusive Coachella CASETiFY products.

Decades in the Desert

Google Pixel will celebrate more than 20 years of music and art in the desert with its Decades in the Desert space. Guests can view iconic moments in innovation and artistry that have defined the Coachella experience through the lens of Google's new Pixel 7 phone.

Energy Playground

The Global Inheritance Energy seesaws will give festivalgoers the opportunity to act like a kid again all while they learn about energy. It's also a spot where they can charge their phones.

The ferris wheel at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, Calif., on April 16, 2022.
The ferris wheel at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, Calif., on April 16, 2022.

Ferris wheel

It's not Coachella without the iconic Ferris wheel, aka Le Grande Wheel. If you haven't had a chance to enjoy the Coachella Valley view from the top, get ready for a breathtaking ride (but don't even think about going at sunset if you don't have the patience for long lines).

The Mirage

If we're being totally honest, we don't know all that the Mirage entails, but isn't that the whole point of these mysterious forces of nature? The cryptic page on Coachella's website states "a new discovery reveals a more expansive" festival. People can "learn how to interact with the Mirage and unlock new festival creativity on the fields and on the emerging Coachella Canvas." Those who have received their welcome box can already unlock some of the secrets of this phenomenon. Visit coachella.com/mirage for more information.

Neutrogena tents and stations

Unfortunately, a lot of people forget to pack sunscreen with them when they head to Coachella, which leads to some not-so-pleasant burns. Lucky for you, Neutrogena is here to help with all your skincare needs. The Neutrogena Skin’s Vitals Experience tent will give attendees an immersive journey into their skin, where they'll learn just how much the Coachella environment is impacting them. The skincare brand will also have complimentary sunscreen kiosks located throughout the grounds so that people can reapply protection as often as possible. Learn more about Neutrogena at the festival grounds at https://coachella.com/neutrogena

POSTed STUDIO will turn the winning poster into a real design and winners could receive free passes for next year
POSTed STUDIO will turn the winning poster into a real design and winners could receive free passes for next year

POSTed Studio and Speaker Stage

Attendees have a chance to create concept art for posters that advocate for solutions to the planet's major challenges at the POSTed Studio. Afterward, their creations will be given to professional artists who will redesign the ideas. The collection will be available for download online and be shared across the festival's, artists' and Global Inheritance’s social platforms. Additionally, a POSTed Studio speaker stage will host artists and environmentalists. All talks will be followed by a design session where prizes will be given away for the best poster concept based on the most recent talk/workshop.

Resources

Accessible+

Accessible+ is an immersion opportunity for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color) people with disabilities to experience the Coachella music festival, discuss festival accessibility and learn about professional opportunities in the live event industry. This year's A+ program will provide festivalgoers with disabilities an immersive experience, a safe space to network and engage with others, exclusive programming and VIP access to most of the activations on the festival grounds.

Festival goers sit in front of the "Every One" safe-space at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, Calif. on Fri. April 12, 2019.
Festival goers sit in front of the "Every One" safe-space at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, Calif. on Fri. April 12, 2019.

every one

'every one' supports mental health and harassment prevention at the festival. Trained counselors will be available at the every one tent on the festival grounds for anyone who needs support, or just a moment of rest from the Coachella madness. Team members will also be deployed throughout the grounds to assist anyone in distress.

GV BLACK

Goldenvoice BLACK was launched in 2017 out of conversations to increase Black representation at Goldenvoice and within the music industry. Today, the resource continues toward that mission with efforts to support Black creatives' brands and nonprofit organizations, grow and develop current and future BIPOC-owned businesses, build employment opportunities for formerly incarcerated BIPOC and more. GV BLACK will also bring guests GREENHOUSE, a new late-night DJ dance source, Party In My Living Room, a music space inspired by the aesthetics of '90s house parties, and exclusive merch collaborations.

Queer+

The Queer+ HeadQ+uarters is dedicated to enhancing the festival's inclusive culture and will serve as a social gathering space for BIPOC LGBTQ+ individuals to come and be celebrated. There will also be a number of interactive, inspirational and archival art projects available on site.

Shopping

Merch tent

If you weren't able to get your hands on coveted 2023 Coachella merch from the online store, head over to the merch tent to pick up hats, shirts, sweatshirts and more. Festivalgoers usually head over to the merchandise area the second they walk through the entrance, so try to get there as early as you can.

Record store

Yes, at Coachella, you can both listen to music live and purchase records to listen to later. More than 25,000 pieces of new and vintage vinyl will be at your fingertips, and if you find something you like, staff will store your goods until Sunday. This air-conditioned tent, which will soon become your best friend at Coachella, will also carry Record Store Day exclusives on April 15.

Recycle for free swag

Trade in your empty bottles, cans, cups and other recyclables for free water and a number of different prizes. Participants earn points for recycling all weekend long which can then be redeemed for festival merchandise, experiences and possibly VIP passes. Prizes include tees, totes, refillable bottles, food vouchers, posters, sweatshirts and Ferris wheel tickets. Pick up scorecards and bags at the Global Inheritance tent on the festival grounds. Visit coachella.com/recycling-store for more information.

Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Coachella 2023: All the non-music activities available at the festival