A brand new music festival is taking place in Greater Palm Springs this October! 

Fans of electronic music rejoice, as Head Trip Festival is coming! Across one autumn weekend, pillars of the EDM (electronic dance music) space, alongside tens of thousands of fans, will descend upon the destination for the bounciest party the Coachella Valley has ever seen. 

YOUR GUIDE TO HEAD TRIP WEEKEND 

Music festivals require pacing and good planning, so even if you decide to get lost in the layers of sound, remember to take care of yourself and take it one dance-step at a time. Here's some important info before you head out  to Head Trip. The festival will take place on Saturday, Oct. 10 and Sunday, Oct. 11 at the Empire Polo Club in Indio (aka the home of Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and Stagecoach Music Festival). 

THE MUSIC LINEUP

Peggy Gou | Photo by Jonas Lindstroem

Since rave music titans dominate this magic weekend of music, every act is headliner-quality. The lineup shows that some artists are pairing up for b2b sets, meaning that the two performers will be going back-to-back with their respective tracks, combining the different DJs’ musical firepower into one banger performance. 
 

Saturday

Kicking off the event will be Seth Troxler b2b Ben Sterling. Troxler’s knack for hypnotic deep house combined with Sterling’s pulsating selections will make for a one-of-a-kind welcome to the fest. Next up is Peggy Gou b2b Four Tet, mixing the chill, trance-like vibe from Gou (known for her hit “(It Goes Like) Nanana”) with Four Tet’s masterful approach to the perfect club soundtrack. Fisher and Chris Lake will then bring their collaboration, titled Under Construction, to Indio, which sees the two EDM vets exploring high-energy techno-inspired beats. Closing out the evening will be Calvin Harris, one of the biggest names in dance music, who is responsible for unforgettable hits like “We Found Love,” “Summer,” “Feel So Close,” and more. 
 

Dom Dolla | Photo by @shevindphoto

Sunday

The second day of the festival begins with a set from DJ Harvey, a pioneer in the disco/funk world with an insane knowledge of deep cuts. Next is The Blessed Madonna, whose experimental remix skills will get you dancing early. Dom Dolla b2b Kettama is set to follow, uniting Dolla’s feel-good grooves with Kettama’s up-tempo jams. The iconic Skrillex is up next, whose mega-hits like “Where Are Ü Now” with Justin Bieber and “Bangarang” literally paved the way for the flourishing of the EDM scene. Closing out Head Trip will be a performance from Swedish House Mafia, the supergroup rave-trio responsible for “Don’t You Worry Child” and “Moth To A Flame.” 

WHERE TO STAY FOR HEAD TRIP

Camping

Just like Coachella and Stagecoach, the Empire Polo Club will offer car camping for festival attendees who want to lay their head just steps away from the party. The 10’×30′ spaces fit one vehicle, but according to the event site, “you can have as many people camp in your site as you can comfortably fit.” If you prefer to walk even less, Up Front Car Camping is available, offering attendees a designated campsite closer to the fest entrance. Camping Companion Parking is also available, which allows a parking space for an additional vehicle of campers. You cannot camp or sleep in this space, and the event site recommends: “Pack your heavy supplies in the vehicle that will be parked in your Car Camping site. Save your strength on the walk from Car Companion Camping.” 
 

Hotels and Vacation Rentals

If camping isn’t your thing, thankfully Greater Palm Springs is home to some of the most unique hotels and vacation rentals. Fantasy Springs Resort Casino and the Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott are great options, located minutes away from the fest. If you don’t mind the commute, check out the beautiful views of the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert, the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa in Indian Wells, or La Quinta Resort & Club. You can even visit the festival's website for a number of Head Trip hotel packages. In terms of vacation rentals, there are a number of private homes, estates, and fabulous rooms available for lodging during this October weekend across the destination.

HOW TO GET THERE 

Getting to Indio during festival weekends can take longer than usual due to increased traffic, so here are a few recommendations for traveling. 

Shuttles: Shuttle passes are available to buy and can ease some of the pressures of driving and parking. The Any Time Any Line Shuttle Pass offers transportation to and from the festival throughout the weekend, with pickups from a number of local hotels. Shuttles to Head Trip will run from 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., and return service will end 60 minutes after the last beat drops. For the list of shuttle locations, visit https://hospitality.headtripindio.com/shuttles. 

Parking: If you’d prefer to park at the festival, there are a few options. Preferred Parking passes are available for purchase, guaranteeing you a spot in the parking lot for both days. There is also a free parking lot, which operates on a first come, first serve basis. Carpool, arrive early, and don’t forget to take a photo or drop a pin to ensure you make it back to your space. 

Pick Up/Drop Off: For the less stressful experience (in my opinion), make arrangements to get a ride to and from the festival. While the drop off is a lengthy walk from the festival gates, the leg warmup gets your blood flowing and energy going for the weekend of walking, jumping, and dancing. Just be mindful of Ubers, taxis, and rideshares, and use your best judgement!

HEAD TRIP TICKETS 

While some passes are sold out, Head Trip Festival tickets are still available at their original prices. Here’s a breakdown of current ticket, camping, parking, and shuttle options: 2-Day GA is sold out, but you can grab a 2-Day GA + Shuttle ticket for $559. VIP passes, which offer access to a VIP area containing exclusive food, restrooms, and more, are $899. Car Camping passes start at $129, and Up Front Car Camping begins at $258, with Camping Companion Parking at $149. Grab a Preferred Parking pass for $199, an Any Time, Any Line Shuttle Pass for $100, or a Scheduled Departure Shuttles pass for $195. For tickets and more info, visit the Head Trip festival website.
 

Looking to explore more of Greater Palm Springs' music scene? Here are some of the top spots to catch live music outdoors during your visit! 

Header photo by Daniela Becerra