The show will go on for two of the biggest annual events in the Greater Palm Springs area—they will just take place later in the year. The promoters of April’s Coachella and Stagecoach have announced that both festivals will move to October due to the COVID-19 outbreak and concerns about large gatherings.
Coachella will take place on the weekends of October 9–11 and 14–16, still at Indio’s Empire Polo Field, while Stagecoach’s country lineup will take to the festival grounds October 23–25.
“At the direction of the County of Riverside and local health authorities, we must sadly confirm the rescheduling of Coachella and Stagecoach due to COVID-19 concerns,” reads a post on the Stagecoach site. “While this decision comes at a time of universal uncertainty, we take the safety and health of our guests, staff, and community very seriously. We urge everyone to follow the guidelines and protocols put forth by public health officials.”
No doubt, changing dates is “a huge endeavor,” as one Billboard article detailed. “Artists are frequently touring during the fall months and ... organizers aren't likely to get all the performers to agree to move.” No word yet on which artists are still confirmed, but Coachella’s official lineup features Frank Ocean, Rage Against the Machine, and Travis Scott; Thomas Rhett, Carrie Underwood, Eric Church are Stagecoach’s headline acts.
If you have already bought passes for either festival, they are still good for the October dates, organizers say. Emails are scheduled to go out to passholders by Friday, March 13, with instructions on how to secure a refund if you want one.
Despite the disappointment, it’s worth noting that April and October are both ideal times of year to explore the California’s desert. If you are still planning to visit the region in April, check out these road trip alternatives, including the artsy Amazing Desert Oddities trip; Searching for Stars, which shines a light on night-sky adventures; and Discovering Death Valley, an epic journey across this storied national park.
If you have any safety concerns about traveling to the Golden State, please review our 7 Healthy Travel Tips article for updated information and links to key resources.