Coachella has spawned a party scene in recent years that's become a destination of its own. Everyone from Pitchfork to McDonald's has gotten in on the increasingly trendy corporate takeover of private estates and luxury resorts, with celebrities sauntering poolside as festival headliners spin DJ sets. While the desert will be stocked with invite-only soirees, there are a handful of parties open to the public that we've listed below. As for those invite-only ones? We're giving you a heads-up about those, too, just in case you manage to make the right friends at the fest.
Public parties
Desert Gold
Ace Hotel Palm Springs
Apr 14-25
The Ace Hotel Palm Springs devotes five spaces to this off-site hangout during both weekends of the fest, with meditation, a Moog synthesizer activation, karaoke, a daytime hip-hop dance party and weekend pool parties.
Not a Pool Party
Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs
Apr 14, 8pm
This pre-fest party from Culture Collide doesn't take place poolside—as its name suggests—but it does boast Dan Deacon, James Supercave and Magic Wands.
High Tide Pool Party
The Riviera Palm Springs, a Tribute Portfolio Resort
Apr 15, 1-5pm
Splash around at the P4K Radio home base as Pitchfork presents DJ sets from the likes of Shamir, Tyler Pope of LCD Soundsystem and No Age.
Day Club Palm Springs
Hilton Palm Springs
Apr 15-17, 22-24, noon-6pm, $20-$50
This dual-weekend day club has the distinction of being Coachella's official off-site party, with a lineup to prove it: Mr. Carmack, TOKiMONSTA, Dirty South and Dubfire during the first weekend, and Cash Cash, Rae Sremmurd, Skrillex and Lido during the second.
The Dip
The Saguaro Palm Springs
Apr 16, 17, noon-7pm
Take a dip in the Saguaro's colorful, mid-century style pool with sets from Dâm-Funk and the Juan Maclean.
Indio Invasion
Indio
Apr 16, 1-4pm
Catch a DJ set from Walk the Moon at this party from Pandora.
Base Camp Desert Beach Party
Base Camp
Apr 15-17, 22-24, 29-May 1, noon to 6pm
You don't need to say at this campsite retreat—though you should, and we'll cut 10 percent off your reservation—to take advantage of its pool, lake and hot air balloon rides.
Invite-only parties
Vestal Village
Palm Springs
Apr 14-17
theAudience Social Club
Merv Griffin Estate
Apr 15
Bisous Magazine Estate Party
Palm Springs
Apr 15
POPSUGAR’s Coachella Cabana Club Kickoff Party
Avalon Hotel
Apr 15
Republic Coachella 2016
La Quinta
Apr 15-17
Neon Carnival
Thermal
Apr 16
The Music Lounge
Ingleside Inn
Apr 16, 17
The dFm House
Palm Springs
Apr 16, 17
Bootsy Bellows Pool Party presented by McDonald’s
Location and date TBA
KROQ Coachella House
Location and date TBA