It’s time once again for 80,000 of your closest cowboy hat–wearing friends to head to Greater Palm Springs for one of the biggest country music festival in the country. Of course, I’m talking about Stagecoach.

From twangy music to tangy barbecue, the three-day celebration returns April 25-27 at the Empire Polo Grounds in Indio. This year’s headliners? Zach Bryan on Friday, Jelly Roll on Saturday, and Luke Combs on Sunday.

Before you dust off your favorite cowboy boots and decide whether you’ll be two-stepping, line-dancing, or boot-scooting the weekend away, here's a handy guide to help you make the most of it. We’ve got the lowdown on the music, food and drink, extra-curricular activities, and a few pro tips to keep you festival-ready.

THE MUSIC

It’s hard to have three bigger names in country music right now than this year’s headliners. But Stagecoach isn’t only about the main performances, so here’s a closer look at the musical slate, which includes classic country acts as well as pop stars and rappers who are country-adjacent.

Friday: Along with Bryan, folks can check out the Brothers Osborne, Lana Del Rey, Carly Pearce, Whiskey Myers, and Sierra Ferrell. And there’s a special treat for locals and fans of music competition shows in Indio’s own Abi Carter, who sparked civic pride by winning American Idol in 2024. She will help kick off the day of performances.

Saturday: Jelly Roll played a much-heralded set last year as a non-headliner and is back for more this year. Also on stage Saturday will be artists like Sturgill Simpson, Nelly, Ashley McBryde, Shaboozey, Tommy James & the Shondells, and Dasha. And Crystal Gayle plays a daytime set as a treat for vintage country fans.

Sunday: Luke Combs returns as a headliner and will be joined at the festival by Midland, Sammy Hagar, Flatland Cavalry, Scotty McCreery, Goo Goo Dolls, and the Bacon Brothers — including Kevin Bacon — during the day. This is a great opportunity to lower your "degrees of separation" in the Kevin Bacon game to one.

Late night at Palomino: This 11 p.m. to midnight party has become one of the most popular parts of the Stagecoach experience. On Friday night, the late-night Palomino party features T-Pain, Saturday night it’s Creed, and on Sunday night it’s — wait for it — Backstreet Boys.

FOOD AND DRINK

Even more than the headlining acts, Guy Fieri may be the most recognizable person at Stagecoach. His Stagecoach Smokehouse is the place to be as he cooks up some grade-A barbecue and invites famous friends to join him.

This year, his celebrity guests that will be licking barbecue sauce off their fingers before they hit the stage include the Brothers Osborne, Jelly Roll, Shaboozey, Midland, and Sammy Hagar. Of course, Guy’s isn’t the only food out on the grounds. Everywhere you look, you’ll find the barbecue and fried foods you might expect at a festival, but there are also more sophisticated eats as well as vegan and vegetarian options.

It’s important to stay hydrated with water, but mix in an adult beverage if you are so inclined. You'll find bars sprinkled all around the festival grounds, but if you want something more than a domestic beer, check out the Beer Barn for some craft beers and shade. There’s also The Cabin, a hidden gem that is made to feel like a cabin in the woods hidden from the palm trees and desert.

And don’t forget to check out the Codigo Tequila Cantina for a special margarita called the "Cowboys and Dreamers" made with Codigo tequila, the brainchild of country music legend George Strait.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Sure, there's the Mane Stage and the Palomino Stage, but there are a few other locations and opportunities for country music fans to enjoy, including:

Diplo’s Honkytonk: A festival-goers favorite. This is an air-conditioned indoor dance-focused party zone with iconic DJ Diplo at the helm. You can line-dance the day away and see some notable acts helping him out like Anderson .Paak, Chromeo, SOFI TUKKER, Paris Hilton, and more.

Half-pint Hootenanny: This is the family-friendly place for kids to hang out and test their skills at games and activities.

And don’t forget: The iconic Ferris wheel is always good for a fun ride. Hit those merchandise tents, and check out the Ariat Boot Studio where you can glam up your cowboy boots with custom charms, ribbons, and branding.

PRO TIPS

As someone who has been to many a Stagecoach, here are a few simple tips to help you enjoy your three-day weekend.

The basics: Stay hydrated and be prepared to handle the sun with a wide-brimmed hat, whether it’s of the Cowboy variety or not. Take some time to explore all the different booths, activations, and activities.

Carve out a spot: Unlike Coachella, Stagecoach is the type of festival where you can bring a camping chair (make sure it’s approved) and a blanket and sort of claim a spot for the day. Get there early (they open at noon every day) and mark your territory, then tell your friends where you are.

Reserve a locker: This is a pro tip I really stand behind, and it does come with an extra cost, but it’s worth it. You can reserve a locker on-site for the whole weekend for anywhere from $84 to $104, depending on the size — maybe share it with a friend to defray the cost. It’s so valuable to have a place to keep a sweatshirt for the cooler night-time hours, an extra pair of comfy shoes, or all the merch you bought during the day. And since it’s yours all weekend long, you can keep stuff there overnight that you don’t want to haul back the next day.

So there you have it — your guide for making the most of your Stagecoach weekend. Now giddy up and get ready for a boot-stompin' good time!

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.