Coachella Parties 2023: Every Event of the Weekend

Coachella parties came roaring back to life last year. And despite some logistical issues caused by labor shortages and a two-year pandemic hiatus, it seemed there were more parties than ever!

The desert party schedule was packed with pool parties, gifting suites, brand takeovers, mini-festivals and after parties. There’s something for everyone, and this year is shaping up to be even bigger and better.

The Evolution of Coachella Parties

What began as informal gatherings, the parties have morphed into events that rival the Coachella festival itself.

In the early days of Coachella (2000s), a few hotels started booking DJs to entertain their guests at the pool. Party promoters from LA would host private parties for their friends at homes and estates throughout the Desert Cities before heading to the festival in the afternoon.

When the festival headliner ended around 1:00am, attendees wanted to keep the music going. After parties sprang up at empty lots around the festival.

Everything changed in 2009 when legendary event producer (and owner of the Bungalow) Brent Bolthouse decided to satisfy the demand of thousands of VIP festival attendees. Bolthouse brought massive fair-themed party to the inside of an airplane hangar just 10 minutes from the Polo Fields. Neon Carnival was born. The event continues to be one of the best Coachella parties of the weekend.

As social media and Instagram boomed in the 2010s, more and more influencers started attending Coachella. Brands realized the festival weekend as a marketing dream, and began to host day parties with the hopes of luring influencers. Revolve Festival launched 2015 and pioneered the “estate party.” Over the years it’s grown into the most exclusive and sought-after invites of the weekend.

The years just before the pandemic, more and more brands jumped into the scene, with seemingly endless budgets, all trying to outdo each other. In more recent years, nightlife groups from LA, Vegas and NYC started their own events.. Indio and La Quinta now see parties hosted by TAO Group, Zouk, Framework and H.Wood Group. These nightlife brands bring their years of experience, and in my opinion, have brought incredible music programming to the parties.

Today’s events are so extravagant that some people travel to Coachella valley just for events and skip the festival entirely. After all, there are several events each day of the weekend.

How the Parties Work

Most of the pre-parties start at around 11:00am and wrap up around 6:00pm.  The after parties typically start at around midnight, and reach their peak at about 2:30am, but continue until sunrise.

Most parties are hosted by brands that are attempting to connect with the Coachella “crowd” or demographic… namely cool, affluent, tastemakers between 21 and 34. Big brands like join together to throw parties in hopes that their products will be featured on the social media posts of the influencers they invite.

Transport

The Coachella Valley is a surprisingly big place, and the parties are spread out from Palm Springs in the north, all the way down to Thermal in the south. During festival weekend, heavy traffic means a drive between Indio and Palm Springs can be over an hour! So plan accordingly, and if you plan on party hoping, I recommend picking one area per day. For example, Saturday in the Palm Springs area, and then Saturday and Sunday in La Quinta and Indio.

In no circumstances should you drive to any of these parties. There is no parking offered, and you will be turned away. Some of the events have shuttle services, but in most cases you will need to Uber.

Exclusive Coachella Parties

The best Coachella parties of course, are not open to the public, but are invite-only events. Such events are attended by A-List celebrities, big influencers and many of the musicians that perform at Coachella. Revolve Festival and Bootsy Bellows have been the hot ticket in the desert for the last few years (well actually, you can’t get a ticket, you need to be given a wristband by the event organizers).

But it seems that every year the party organizers try to out-do each other… the Republic Records party the Zenyara Estate in 2019 was unlike the Coachella valley has ever seen. Helicopters shuttled guests into compound, which was turned into a Vegas-like club during the day, and a swanky beach party at night.

Table and Bottle Service at the Coachella 2023 Parties

In the last few years bottle service has become increasingly popular; almost all of the most exclusive parties now offer full table service. This is the best way to experience the parties as you get guaranteed admission, and your table will be situated close to the action.

Over the years I’ve been to almost every single Coachella party, some are a hit, and some are a miss. Personally, I prefer the parties that are at private estates in La Quinta and Indio, so you’re only a short Uber ride away to Coachella. I tend to avoid the hotel parties and anything north of Rancho Mirage. Palm Springs is simply too far from Coachella. In my opinion, the best Coachella Parties for 2023 are:

• Revolve Festival
• Bootsy Bellows
• Neon Carnival
• TAO Desert Nights
• Zenyara x Framework

Tips for getting into Coachella 2023 parties:

• RSVP – The best Coachella events are RSVP only. You cannot simply show up and expect to get in.
• Be in the “industry.” It helps if you work in the music or entertainment industry. Use your contacts.
• Know one of the sponsors for an event. All of the events are sponsored by brands, and they pay good money to get their products in front of you. If you know someone that works for the sponsoring brand, reach out!
• Buy bottle service. Many of the events are becoming more and more like an LA or Vegas Club. Bottle and table service is available for VIP guests at some of the more exclusive events. Prices range from $500 – $2000 per person.
• It’s amazing how far a smile can go. If you’re nice to the event staff and security, and don’t come in a big group, you might have a shot of getting into one of the Coachella 2023 parties.

Still, the best party during the weekend is the Coachella Music and Arts Festival. There is no other place where you can enjoy such a wide range of music in such a beautiful setting. And if you’re looking for an after party, the Coachella campgrounds are a fun place to decompress after the festival.

Are you a brand that wants to sponsor an event? I will connect you with party organizers. Want to add your party to the list? Contact me here

Neon Carnvial 2023

Who: Invite only. Celebrities and the who’s who of LA’s party scene.

What: The original after party of the festival weekend. The first Neon took place 12 years ago, and is a creation of LA’s original nightlife mastermind Brent Bolthouse and producing partner Jeffrey Best.

The Levi’s® Brand Presents Neon Carnival with specialty drinks by Tequila Don Julio. DJs Ruckus, Kayper, and Mel Debarge will keep the party going all night long.

When: Saturday April 15th, midnight to LATE. Best time to arrive is around 1:30am.

Where: HITS Desert Park. Drop off map revealed to attendees only.

Why: Neon Carnival is always one of the most highly anticipated events of the festival weekend. Last year’s event did not disappoint, as the party was once again an unforgettable night of music, dancing, and celebrity sightings. The carnival-themed event was held is held on the first weekend of the festival weekend and, even after all these years, consistently draws a massive crowd of party-goers, celebrities, and influencers alike.

Known for its over-the-top production, Neon is held at the HITS Desert Park, just a few miles away from the festival grounds, and features carnival rides, games, and food stalls. All free of course!

One of the celebrity favorites is the ferris wheel, which offers stunning views of the desert landscape and the Empire Polo Fields in the distance.

Neon Carnival is primarily know as a hot spot for celebrity sightings. A-listers like Kylie Jenner, Travis Scott, Justin Bieber, and Hailey Baldwin were all spotted enjoying the festivities last year, and 2023 will be no different. The party also draws the world’s biggest influencers, names like Emma Chamberlain, Addison Rae, and Dixie D’Amelio.

All in all, the Neon Carnival party at Coachella is a night to remember. From carnival rides to the star-studded guest list. As Coachella continues to grow in popularity, Neon Carnival party remains a must-attend event for festival-goers.

Framework

Who: Are you Disco Shark fanatic? Framework is for Coachella attendees that appreciate everything Yuma Tent. After all, it’s Framework that curates the Yuma lineup and experience!

21+ Limited tickets available at pre-sale link here.

What:

3 nights of an immersive underground dance experience, featuring some of the most recognizable names in the genre.

Friday

• Jamie Jones, Mochakk, Pawsa and Special Guest: Channel Tres.

Saturday

• Adam Beyer b2b Maceo Plex, Gordo b2b Colyn, Camelphat b2b Carlita and Keyspan b2b Minus the Light

Sunday

• Under Construction with Chris Lake b2b Fisher, DJ Tennis b2b Chloé Caillet and Airrica.

When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday Weekend 1. 10:00pm – 4:00am (later if you can find the secret after party). Prime time is 1:00am – 4:00am.

Where: Atlantic Aviation – Thermal, Coachella Valley (Google Maps)

Why: Coachella ends around 1:00am, but that’s simply to early. If you’re into underground dance music, the Framework parties at Thermal airport (former location of Neon Carnival) are only a 10 minute Uber from the festival.

Framework has slowly but surely solidified its position as one of the leading after parties during the festival weekend due to its meticulous curation. Framework has hosted over 200 of the most influential artists from around the world, providing unforgettable experiences for more than 1.5 million dancers across 35 different international venues.

Framework began curating the Yuma Stage at Coachella since 2013, brought the first-ever live electronic music show to The Torch at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, and introduced the Art of the Wild music and arts festival to Wynn Resorts in Las Vegas.

Framework has also hosted full-scale events with world-class production at Pershing Square in downtown LA, and put on intimate and stylish shows at Schrager’s West Hollywood edition, featuring top-notch artists like Solomun, SG Lewis, Amtrac, TEED, Hot Chip, and Channel Tres.

Last year, Framework debuted an unforgettable event at Atlantic Aviation, an incredible setting that featured top-tier artists like Purple Disco Machine, Peggy Gou, Dixon, and the first-ever Black Coffee b2b The Martinez Brothers set. The three-day hangar takeover attracted around 10,000 people, and set a new benchmark for high-quality experiences, breaking company and market records. The hangar is located just 40 minutes from Palm Springs and 10 minutes from Coachella Festival Grounds, and was transformed with Framework’s signature production, including award-winning designs and state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems.

It’s clear that Framework’s unwavering attention to detail and commitment to excellence has earned them a devoted following and set them apart as a leader in the industry.

Need RSVP info for the exclusive events? Or interested in bottle service at one of the after parties? Contact me here.

Day Club Palm Springs

Who: Limited amount of ticket are available to the public. 21+

Single-day GA tickets start at $30. Two-day weekend passes are available starting at $55. Tickets available here. VIP Tables available.

What: One of the weekend’s biggest parties will be back at the Hilton Palm Springs. The four-day event (over two weekends) showcases dance music, and has activities taking place poolside from midday to sunset. Weekend 1 is curated by LA’s premier dance venue: Sound Nightclub. Featured performers include Vintage Culture, Dombresky, LP Giobbi, Two Friends, Łaszewo, Hot Since 82, Kyle Watson, Nora En Pure, SG Lewis (DJ Set), and Elderbrook (DJ Set), with additional acts to be announced.

When:

Weekend One

• Saturday, April 15: Vintage Culture, Dombresky, LP Giobbi & Friends
• Sunday, April 16: Sound Presents: Hot Since 82, Kyle Watson, Nora En Pure

Weekend Two

• Saturday, April 22: Two Friends, Łaszewo & Friends
• Sunday, April 23: SG Lewis (DJ Set), Elderbrook (DJ Set) & Friends

The party begins at 12:00 noon each day, re-entry is allowed.

Where: Hilton Palm Springs (Google maps)

Why: Day Club has evolved into the pool party in the Palm Springs area. If you enjoy Splash House, then you’ll love Day Club PS.

The Coachella “Any Line Shuttle” conveniently picks up at the Hilton, so why not pre-party at Day Club and head straight over to the festival when you’re ready?

Sponsor an Event

Are you a brand that wants to sponsor an event? Contact me here.

Desert Daze x Saguaro Hotel

Who: Limited Space available. RSVP for weekend 1 here, and weekend 2 here.

What: Desert Daze (a music festival held annual at Lake Perris) presents a poolside takeover at the Saguaro in Palm Springs featuring DJ sets by Automatic (4/15) from Stonesthrow and a Big Crown Records family soirée including Brainstory and other label heavy hitters behind the decks (4/22).

When: Saturday April 15th & April 22nd

Where: the Saguaro Palm Springs (Google Maps Link)

Why: The Saguaro, world famous for its vibrant color scheme inspired by the surrounding desert landscape, also happens to have one of the best pools in the desert, and is the flagship venue for Splash House. The hotel’s central location puts guests within easy reach of Palm Springs’ many attractions, from shopping and dining to hiking and outdoor adventure.

The Desert Daze Music Festival is an annual music festival that takes place in the California desert, and is known for showcasing a diverse lineup of indie rock, experimental, and psychedelic music acts. The festival has a reputation for its immersive experience, featuring art installations, yoga classes, and other activities in addition to the music performances. Desert Daze takes place over several days and has multiple stages, allowing attendees to explore and discover new artists while enjoying the scenic desert landscape.

Some of the famous past headliners at the Desert Daze Music Festival include Tame Impala, My Bloody Valentine, Iggy Pop, Slowdive, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Ween, The Flaming Lips, Sonic Youth, Spiritualized, and many others. The festival has also featured performances by emerging and experimental artists, making it a hub for new and innovative music in addition to established acts.

Below is the list of every Coachella party happening this year. More will be added and details are forthcoming. Check back for updates.

Zenyara
Revolve Festival
TAO Desert Nights
Interscope Records
Bootsy Bellows
Desert Gold @ Ace Hotel
The DoOver
Pandora Oasis
ZOEasis
Create and Cultivate
Rhonda Queen of the Desert