What to Do If You’re Not Going To Coachella

Maybe the lineup didn’t interest you this year, or it was too expensive. Maybe it just doesn’t sound fun to you at all. No matter what the reason is, one thing is for sure: it seems like all your friends are going to Coachella this year and you’re not. While that can definitely be a bummer, not all hope is lost. Even if you won’t be jamming out at the Do Lab this year, you can still have a great weekend and make some new memories. Here are a few fun things you can do in the desert if you’re not going to Coachella.

Believe or not, you’re probably not the only person you know that’s not going; there are plenty of other people who also need friends to hang out with over the weekend. Inviting them to do stuff with you will cheer them up, which cheers you up because you cheered your friends up and you now have someone to hang out with. Everyone wins. Just make sure to make plans early! Waiting until the weekend to make plans is tricky, so ensure you and your pals all have clear schedules to avoid anyone being left out.

Now that you have some friends to join you, you can find some fun things to do. Trying new foods is always exciting, try visiting a new restaurant with some cool cultural dishes. Have you ever had baba ganoush? Me neither! It sounds cool, though. After you’re done eating baba ganoush, maybe you can go on a shopping spree with your pals (or, if you’re like me, just go inside and look at stuff for half an hour until the owners realize you have no money and ask you to leave). Many local businesses hold sales and specials since tourism is so high around this time. Take advantage of this and score some deals (and laugh as confused travelers try to traverse your local Target).

If you’re still in the mood for some live tunes, you’re in luck. Tachevah Block Party is an all ages free concert held locally every year around Coachella time. This year, it will take place on May 5 in downtown Indio. The event showcases local bands participating in a friendly competition to headline the show. You can even catch some big-name artists if you’re lucky: Passion Pit and Fitz and the Tantrums have made appearances in the past.

Since we’ve mentioned some things you should do, there are also some things you probably shouldn’t do. Try to avoid checking social media over the weekend; there’s no point in seeing what you might be missing. On a similar note, try to avoid listening to the artists that are performing. I can’t tell you what to do, but I wouldn’t sneak in. Instead, watch videos of people who got caught trying to sneak in and getting tackled by security. Good thing that isn’t you!

Missing Coachella can be a bummer, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a great weekend. I hope you have a safe and fun time, and make some new memories. Now go out and eat some baba ganoush.