Music2 min(s) read
Published 10:01 15 Apr 2026 GMT
The internet is split after food and drink prices from Coachella 2026 began circulating online, with some calling them “criminal” while others insist they are actually fair for a major festival. Attendees took to social media over the weekend to show off what they were eating and how much it cost, quickly turning the conversation into a viral debate.
The first weekend of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival wrapped on Sunday, April 12, with headline performances from Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, and Karol G. Alongside the music, festival goers enjoyed a wide range of food options, from big-name vendors to influencer-inspired dishes, while also taking advantage of relaxed rules allowing them to walk around with cocktails.
As posts flooded platforms like TikTok and Instagram, some prices raised eyebrows. Jackie Tanti (@jackietanti) claimed she paid $64 for two burritos and a cucumber water, prompting plenty of reactions online.
According to Coachella Valley realtor James Suer, festival food included a $15 Greek salad, $14 spicy wontons, and a $25 platter of fried chicken wings and chips. Major vendors like Erewhon and Dave's Hot Chicken were also present, offering items such as a $30 chicken sandwich and fries or a $26 spicy chicken tender meal with fries.
Sweetfin served a $23 poke bowl inspired by influencer Remi Rasons, while individual sides like deep-fried potatoes cost $12. Soft drinks, including Coca-Cola, Coke Zero Sugar, and Sprite were priced at $7.
Elsewhere, All’ Antico Vinaio offered sandwiches, with its cheapest option, the La Broadway, costing $10. Influencer Cristina Gonzalez (@cristinaggonzalez) shared that she paid $13 for a matcha, $17 for what she called the “best festival coffee [she’d] ever had,” and $23 for a burrito.
Other attendees reported paying $34 for a four-slice pizza, $23 for Island Noodles, and $28 for carne asada fries. Alcoholic drinks were also on the higher end, with Red Bull and vodka costing $24, and similar cocktails priced around the same.
Despite the initial backlash, many people online came to the defense of the festival’s pricing. Suer’s viral Instagram post drew hundreds of comments arguing that the costs were in line with expectations.
“Not as bad as I thought they’d be!,” one person wrote.
Another added: “Looks like NYC food prices.”
Others compared the festival to major sporting events, with one user saying: “It is just like another ‘sports venue’ and its prices."
Some even pointed to other high-profile events earlier this year, including Super Bowl LX, where food prices reached similar levels. One commenter summed up the sentiment by writing: “Looks pretty reasonable for festival prices actually.”
Coachella is set to return for its second weekend starting Friday, April 17. Performers including Little Simz, Turnstile, and PinkPantheress will take to the stage as the festival continues its sold-out run.
The event will carry on through Saturday, April 18, before wrapping up its 25th anniversary celebrations on Sunday, April 19.
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