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Luxury camping takes over Coachella
Festival-goers at Coachella are swapping traditional tents for elaborate car camping setups, complete with full-size beds, showers, and LED lighting. The trend, dubbed "performative camping," has sparked online debate and drawn attention from British festival attendees.
From tents to mobile suites
This year's Coachella festival in Palm Springs, California, has seen a surge in campers transforming their vehicles into luxury accommodations. Instead of pitching pop-up tents, attendees are parking cars on-site and constructing spacious, decorated living spaces behind them.
Ali Calder, a 31-year-old from Arizona, documented her setup in a viral TikTok video. Her campsite included a three-inch memory foam mattress, LED lights, a personal shower, a cooler stocked with hummus and salsa, a disco ball, and a furry rug. Calder, attending Coachella for the fifth time, described the experience as "half the fun" of the festival.
Costs and comparisons
Car camping at Coachella costs $500 (£370) for a Thursday-to-Monday plot, with an additional $600 (£443) for general admission tickets. The option has become the festival's most popular overnight choice, surpassing standard camping and glamping.
While many celebrities opt for off-site hotels, festival-goers like Calder and her peers prefer the convenience and comfort of car camping. Calder noted that her setup, though elaborate, was shared "just for the memories" and not for social media clout.
British reactions and cultural differences
Videos of Coachella's luxury campsites have drawn mixed reactions from British festival-goers, who are more accustomed to muddy fields and basic tents. Calder laughed at comparisons to UK festivals, where attendees often endure rain and minimal amenities. "Each to their own," she said, emphasizing that her setup was a personal preference.
Other Coachella campers, like Khadijah Brown from Texas, defended their elaborate setups as necessary for coping with extreme weather. Brown, who has attended the festival three times, described dust storms, high winds, and temperatures exceeding 30°C (86°F). "The reality of camping is that it's nasty, gross, and unorganized," she said, adding that their four-car, four-tent setup was a practical solution.
Community and practicality
Despite criticism, car campers at Coachella reported a friendly and secure atmosphere. Attendees shared items with strangers, and many felt reassured about leaving belongings unattended while watching performances. Brown noted that the high cost of attending Coachella-often exceeding $1,000 (£738)-made efficient use of time and comfort a priority.
"Coachella truly is the festival of all festivals," Brown said. "There is nothing like it."
