Those familiar with Coachella know it’s synonymous with great musical acts, massive art installations and stylish outfits. While focusing on what you’ll wear makes sense, you may also want to pack a few practical essentials, like a water bottle and other travel accessories that make life easier. Because as much fun as the music festival is, it also means long days in the desert and being on your feet for hours.
To help you determine what may be helpful to bring to Coachella, we compiled a list of items that are either highly rated or that NBC Select editors love. Each item was selected to help you enjoy the concert experience.
SKIP AHEAD What is Coachella? | Last minute Coachella essentials | Why trust NBC Select?
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What is Coachella?
Not familiar with this popular annual event? Coachella is an annual music and arts festival that takes place at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California and hundreds of thousands of people attend. The festival spans two weekends in April — this year, from April 11 through 20. The festival is held outside, and a few dozen musical acts perform each day. In addition to the music, there are several large-scale art installations, culinary experiences and activations.
Last-minute Coachella essentials
To gather last-minute essentials that would be helpful at Coachella, we considered items that we’ve covered previously and that NBC Select editors have tried and liked. We focused on necessities that will help make the experience smoother — like a refillable water bottle so you don’t have to buy water constantly and a power bank to keep your phone charged.
Anker Nano Power Bank
Your phone running out of battery during a concert is so not helpful — so keep a portable charger on hand to give your cell juice when needed. According to the brand, this compact, portable charger comes with a foldable USB-C connector and a 5,000mAh battery that can hold a full charge for your phone.
JisuLife Personal Fan
This personal fan lives in my bag during the summer months and I’ve used it at several outdoor concerts and events. It has three fan speeds and is rechargeable via USB-C. It also only weighs 3 ounces so that it won’t feel heavy in your bag.
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen
Don’t let a sunburn get in the way of a good time. Keeping sunscreen on you will make it easy to reapply whenever needed. This option has an SPF 70 and blends in nicely without leaving a white cast, says NBC Select commerce editor Cory Fernandez, who tested it for our roundup of best sunscreens. The flat shape of the bottle also doesn’t take up a lot of space, which means you can fit it into a small crossbody or fanny pack.
Simple Modern Insulated Water Bottle
Staying hydrated during a music festival is a must. The Simple Modern water bottle, one of our favorite reusable water bottles of the year, makes it easy to have hydration on you at all times and will keep your water cold thanks to it being made from stainless steel and having double-wall vacuum insulation.
Touchland Power Mist Hand Sanitizer
This brand of hand sanitizers is a favorite of NBC Select associate reporter Bianca Alvarez. They kill bacteria and hydrate your skin simultaneously, according to the brand. This pack has three scents: wild watermelon, velvet peach and berry bliss.
Pander Belt Bag
This bag can be worn around the waist or as a crossbody. It is made from nylon, which is easy to wipe clean if you spill anything on it. It has a large zippered compartment with three internal mesh pockets, making it easy to stash things you need quick access to. The bag comes in over 20 different colors.
Apple AirTag 4-Pack
Going with a group? Consider bringing a few AirTags. You can hand them to different people so your group can find one another if you get separated. The Apple AirTag syncs with your smart devices. Then, you can use your phone to see a map and view the exact location of your synced AirTags.
Why trust NBC Select?
Bethany Heitman is a contributor at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers topics like beauty, home and lifestyle.
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