Festivalgoers at Coachella have taken to social media in large numbers to express their shock and dismay at what many are calling "criminal" pricing for food and beverages inside the venue. The iconic music festival, held annually in Indio, California across two consecutive weekends, draws more than 100,000 attendees each year with its star-studded lineup.
Exorbitant Costs for Basic Festival Fare
This year's musical roster includes headline performers such as Justin Bieber, Karol G, and Sabrina Carpenter, alongside other notable acts like Disclosure, FKA twigs, Little Simz, Central Cee, and Addison Rae. However, the glitz and glamour of the festival experience is coming at a steep financial cost for many attendees, who are discovering just how much they'll need to budget for sustenance during the event.
Social Media Flooded with Price Complaints
TikTok has become a primary platform for festivalgoers to document their experiences with Coachella's pricing structure. Christina Gonzalez was among the first to post, showcasing a $23 burrito served in a cardboard takeout container from One Stop Taco Shop. She displayed the modest tortilla wrap to her 21,000 followers, many of whom expressed horror at what they deemed an "expensive" and "criminal" price point.
Comments on Gonzalez's video ranged from incredulous to outright angry, with one user questioning, "$23 for that nasty burrito?" while another remarked, "$23 for some rice in a tortilla!" A third commenter added, "I just know the food at Coachella is a** and overpriced," capturing the general sentiment of frustration among viewers.
Additional Examples of Sky-High Pricing
Undeterred by the initial reaction, Gonzalez later posted about purchasing three tacos from Vaqueros Taqueria for $25.01, served on a disposable plate. While she appeared satisfied with the taste, commenters once again expressed disbelief at the cost, with one exclaiming, "$25?!! For 3 tacos?!"
Robyn DelMonte, known as GirlBossTown on the platform, documented her first meal at the festival, explaining, "It is 8.10pm... we are eating on the ground and have a little picnic. We got the Island Noodles that were around $23," before holding up a modest carton to the camera. She added, "While we waited in line for those, I got the carne asada fries. $28 for not that much of a portion but they were really good."
Official Menu Prices Spark Further Outrage
Several Coachella attendees recorded the price list at Prince Street Pizza, where guests receive small square slices of pizza. The most expensive option was the $14 Spicy Spring, featuring spicy marinara, pepperoni, fresh mozzarella, and pecorino romano. The menu also included 0.25oz caviar bumps for $14, sodas priced at $8 each, and sauces costing $2 per serving.
Eloise, another festivalgoer, shared her experience purchasing from this outlet, with her 238,900 followers expressing dismay at the hefty bill she accumulated. One follower commented simply, "I really hope that is a joke…"
Coachella's Official Stance on Food and Beverage
On the official Coachella website, the festival describes its food and beverage program as showcasing "top restaurants and bars from across the country, featuring a wide range of cuisine and refreshment options to satisfy every festival-goer." The statement continues, "Enjoy everything from chef-driven dishes and crave-worthy street food to artisanal ice cream, specialty cocktails, spirit-free libations, craft beers, and a variety of refreshing beverages."
Despite this promotional language, the reality for many attendees has been financial strain, with basic food items carrying price tags that far exceed typical street food costs. The combination of severe weather warnings earlier in the festival and these unexpectedly high prices has created a challenging experience for some music lovers who had budgeted for tickets and travel but found themselves unprepared for the on-site expenses.
