The desert is calling once again. With the set times for Coachella 2026 now officially live, it is time to map out your weekends at the Empire Polo Club. This year marks a significant milestone for the festival, and the schedule reflects a massive blend of pop dominance, legacy rock, and some history-making debuts.
Sabrina Carpenter takes the Friday slot on the Coachella Stage following a massive year with ‘Short n’ Sweet’ and her latest project ‘Man’s Best Friend’. Her set is expected to be a high-production pop spectacle to kick off the weekend before Anyma closes out the main stage with a midnight performance of his new ‘Æden’ show. Friday also features a heavy electronic presence with Disclosure on the Outdoor Theatre and a late-night set from Sexyy Red in the Sahara. On Saturday, Justin Bieber makes a major return, marking his first US concert in nearly four years with an 11:25 pm headline slot. Earlier that evening, The Strokes take the stage at 9:00 pm, while David Byrne holds down the Outdoor Theatre. Closing out the festival on Sunday is Karol G, who makes history as the first Latina artist to headline Coachella at 9:55 pm, following a performance by Young Thug.
The dance music programming for 2026 is particularly deep, spanning everything from mainstream house to underground techno. On Friday, the Sahara stage hosts the high-energy debut of KATSEYE and a late-night appearance by Marlon Hoffstadt, while the Yuma tent features a closing set from Kettama. Saturday is a massive day for electronic fans, highlighted by the debut of Nine Inch Noize (a collaboration between Nine Inch Nails and Boys Noize) at 8:00 pm in the Sahara. Over in the Yuma, Armin van Buuren and Adam Beyer team up for a rare back-to-back set from 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm, followed immediately by Boys Noize. Sunday keeps the momentum going with a sunset performance by Major Lazer on the main stage and Kaskade taking over the Sahara at 10:45 pm. Other notable dance acts include Fatboy Slim closing the Quasar stage on Sunday and a special appearance by the drum and bass supergroup Worship.
As you start circling names on your set times, keep the logistics of Indio in mind. Desert days in April often soar past 38°C (100°F), but the temperature drops rapidly once the sun goes down. It is vital to pack layers and a bandana to protect against the evening dust. Since mobile service is notoriously spotty with over 100,000 people on-site, you should pick a specific landmark and a re-group time with your crew before you even enter the grounds. Hydration stations are free and scattered throughout the venue, so bringing a reusable bottle is the best way to avoid expensive plastic options. If you find yourself facing a difficult set time clash, keep an eye on the Localchella schedule, as many artists will play sideshows in Pomona or Los Angeles between the two weekends.
