Whether you boot-scoot, line dance, two-step, or just sway in the warm desert breeze, one of the biggest weekends of the year is coming up as Stagecoach, the ultimate outdoor country music festival, returns for another year in Greater Palm Springs.

Grab your cowboy hat and denim duds and get ready to join 80,000 other country music fans under the sun and stars for the annual Stagecoach Country Music Festival in Indio, California. The three-day celebration of country music and barbecue started back in 2007 and just keeps getting bigger, drawing fans from across the country each year.

When & Where is Stagecoach 2026?

This year’s edition takes place April 24–26 at the Empire Polo Grounds in Indio, set in the heart of Greater Palm Springs.
 

Stagecoach 2026 Lineup Highlights

The headliners are Cody Johnson on Friday, Lainey Wilson on Saturday, and Post Malone on Sunday, alongside a packed lineup of country stars and emerging artists. Plus, there’s a whole new stage debuting this year.
 

Your Guide to Stagecoach Festival Weekend

Here’s a handy Stagecoach Festival guide to help you make the most of your three days. We’ve got the lowdown on the music, food and drink, extra-curricular activities, and a few pro tips to elevate your festival experience.

THE MUSIC

Something new for music fans this year — or actually, a return to former glory — is that along with the Mane Stage and Palomino Stage, there will be a third dedicated music stage called the Mustang Stage. The Mustang Stage was a staple at Stagecoach until 2017 but had gone away in the last eight or nine years. Well, it’s back for 2026! 

The Mustang Stage primarily features nostalgia acts that you may remember from the 1980s and ’90s that aren’t necessarily full-fledged country acts. The popular late-night set from 11 p.m. to midnight each night, which had previously been at the Palomino Stage, will be moving to the Mustang Stage, as well. 

With that in mind, here are some of the acts you can find each day playing at either the Mane Stage, the Palomino Stage, or the Mustang Stage. 

Friday: Cody Johnson is the headliner, but along with the “‘Til You Can’t” singer, you can also see Bailey Zimmerman, Ella Langley, Lyle Lovett, Wynonna Judd, and Sam Barber. At the Mustang Stage you can see Counting Crows by day and then Diplo and special guests in the late-night spot. 

Saturday: Lainey Wilson headlines but also stepping on stage that day will be Riley Green, Little Big Town, Teddy Swims, and then actor-singer Billy Bob Thornton & The Boxmasters. The Mustang Stage has none other than Journey and Bush by day, and in the late-night spot it’s none other than Mr. Worldwide, Pitbull. 

Sunday: Post Malone, who has become a regular at Stagecoach and Coachella, is the headliner. But you can also boot scootin’ boogie with classic country’s Brooks & Dunn, as well as Warren Zeiders and Wyatt Flores. The Mustang Stage features a trio of 1990s hit-makers by day in Hootie & The Blowfish, Third Eye Blind, and The Wallflowers. The final late-night act will be Ludacris. 
 

DON’T FORGET ABOUT DIPLO’S HONKYTONK 

There’s a tucked-away part of Stagecoach that’s become a popular spot to cool down and still be able to have fun, dance, and grab some shade with an ever-changing string of guest DJs and that’s Diplo’s Honkytonk. 

Last year, for example, Paris Hilton did a guest DJ set, and while she was at the turntables, she brought out Lizzo to the delight of the crowd. That’s the kind of thing that can happen there. 

This year’s scheduled special guest DJs include: 

Friday: Emo Nite featuring Ashlee Simpson —who knows what she will have in store. And later Friday, Diplo’s joint features Rebecca Black, a natural for that day of the week. If you know, you know. 

Saturday: Don’t miss Marshmello, the anonymous DJ with an upside-down white bucket on his head. He (it?) has big hits with big stars ... will one of them show up? 

Sunday: DJ Pauly D of “Jersey Shore” fame will be spinning for the “Gym, Tan, Laundry” crowd. 

FOOD AND DRINK

If you’re hankering for food and want to see expert pit masters and your favorite musicians grill up some tasty barbecue, head to Guy Fieri’s Stagecoach Smokehouse.   

Each year the Mayor of Flavortown assembles an impressive list of celebrity guests to join him for cooking demos and fun interaction with the crowd.    

His special guests this year include: Nate Smith, Chase Rice, and BigXthaPlug on Friday; Gavin Rossdale, Gavin Adcock, Billy Bob Thornton, and Wynonna Judd on Saturday; and Wyatt Flores and Brett Young on Sunday.  

Refreshments and samples of what they’re cooking up are passed around to the crowd, so be ready to eat. If you want a good view of the action and first dibs on the samples, get there early for a front row spot. And have some extra wet wipes handy because that delicious barbecue can get messy.  

If you prefer less hoopla served with your food and drink, there are plenty of places to get your fill around the festival grounds.   

In addition to the ever-popular barbecue there are also vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options.  And when it comes to quenching your thirst, there’s the Beer Barn for cold beer and shade, and The Cabin for craft cocktails. 

PRO TIPS

The venue opens at 1 p.m. so if you want a prime location for your crew, plan on getting there when the gates open to stake your spot. Blankets and camping chairs are allowed (check the website for approved styles), so if you plan to set up a spot for the day, be ready to carry it all because wagons are not allowed.  

Commemorate your weekend with official merchandise from Stagecoach or some vintage goods from the Stagecoach Trading Post.  You can buy a locker for the weekend to keep all your new finds in there. You may also want to throw in an extra pair of comfy shoes or an extra sweater just in case, because it can get chilly at night. Make sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Re-usable water bottles are allowed, so bring one and fill it up often at the water stations. That will also save you a few bucks.  

If you’ve got kiddos with you, plan a stop at the Half-Pint Hootenanny where the entire family can enjoy some activities and cool off in some air conditioning. Speaking of air-conditioning: There are several activation tents throughout the festival grounds that provide shade and air-conditioning. Keep your eye out for them.  

Now that you’re prepared for the nation’s biggest country music festival, stay safe and have fun dancing ’til your feet hurt. (This is where the extra pair of shoes come in handy.)    

And if you're searching for things to do beyond the festival, there's even more to explore. From horseback riding to local eats, Greater Palm Springs is full of Western-inspired fun.