As the desert sun rises over Indio, California, anticipation is reaching a fever pitch: Coachella 2026 is upon us. On April 6, festival organizers finally released the set times for Weekend 1, sending fans into a flurry of schedule-planning and group chat strategizing. But it wasn’t just the timing that got everyone talking—it was the surprise addition of none other than Jack White, a name synonymous with rock innovation and Grammy gold.
White, fresh off a buzzworthy performance on Saturday Night Live, is set to take the Mojave Tent stage on Saturday, April 11, from 3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. It’s an undercard slot that might seem modest for a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, but it’s become something of a Coachella tradition to drop a big name into an unexpected afternoon set. According to Variety, last year saw Ed Sheeran and Weezer make similar surprise appearances, electrifying crowds who thought they were just easing into the day.
Jack White’s last appearance at Coachella was more than a decade ago, when he headlined the festival. Now, his return in a mid-afternoon slot is both a nod to his enduring influence and a wink at the festival’s penchant for unpredictability. As the Los Angeles Times notes, White’s inclusion follows a recent trend by Goldenvoice—the festival’s promoter—of revealing a high-profile surprise name when the set times are released.
But White isn’t the only star shining bright in the Coachella constellation this year. The headliners for 2026 are a trio of global chart-toppers: Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, and Karol G. Each brings a distinct energy and fanbase, promising three nights of musical variety and spectacle.
Sabrina Carpenter, who’s been riding a wave of pop stardom, is set to open the headlining festivities on Friday, April 10. According to Variety, she’ll take the main stage from 9:05 p.m. to 10:35 p.m., delivering what’s sure to be a high-octane set. But she’s not the only act to watch that night—electronic artist Anyma will take over the main stage at midnight, offering a late-night, visually stunning performance that’s become his signature. The night’s lineup also includes acts like Slayyyter, the band Wednesday, Teddy Swims, Devo, the XX, Katseye, Turnstile, Moby, Disclosure, Ethel Cain, Swae Lee, Blood Orange, and Sexyy Red, providing a diverse musical journey from afternoon to the early hours.
Saturday, April 11, is shaping up to be a marathon of music. While Jack White’s Mojave Tent set is sure to draw a crowd of rock aficionados and curious newcomers alike, the day’s momentum builds toward the late-night headline slot. Justin Bieber, fresh from warmup shows at the Roxy and Troubadour, is scheduled to hit the stage at 11:25 p.m. Festival insiders expect him to perform both of his "Swag" albums in their entirety—a treat for diehard Beliebers and a potential showstopper for the uninitiated. Saturday’s lineup is stacked, featuring Addison Rae, Geese, Giveon, Sombr, Nine Inch Noize (the collaboration between Trent Reznor and Boys Noize), Labrinth, PinkPantheress, the Strokes, David Guetta, Interpol, and David Byrne, among others.
Sunday, April 12, brings the festival to a close with Colombian superstar Karol G headlining at 9:55 p.m. Her performance is expected to be a vibrant celebration of Latin pop, capping off a weekend that celebrates musical diversity. The day also features Gigi Perez, Little Simz, Wet Leg, Clipse, Major Lazer, Foster the People, Iggy Pop, Young Thug, Fatboy Slim, Laufey, FKA Twigs, the Rapture, and a late-night set by Kaskade, who’ll start at 10:45 p.m. and help festivalgoers dance their way into the night.
Coachella isn’t just about the music, though. This year, the festival is offering a unique cultural experience with the debut of the Radiohead Motion Picture House Kid A Mnesia. As described on the Coachella website and highlighted by Variety, the installation is a 75-minute large-format film crafted from thousands of fragments—sketches, paintings, collages, audio recordings, and handwritten notes—created by Thom Yorke and Stanley Donwood during the recording of Kid A and Amnesiac. The immersive exhibit, which requires a ticketed reservation through AXS Mobile ID (free to reserve), promises to be a must-see for fans of Radiohead and experimental art alike.
For those who crave a bit of whimsy, Friday afternoon features one of the festival’s most beloved traditions: the Bob Baker Marionettes. This historic puppet troupe will perform at 2:55 p.m., offering a playful counterpoint to the high-octane musical acts that follow. As Variety quipped, "Arrive late enough to miss this historic appearance and you might as well just turn around and go home." It’s a reminder that Coachella’s magic lies as much in its surprises and oddities as in its blockbuster acts.
Other notable additions to this year’s lineup include María Zardoya’s side project Not For Radio, which will take the Sonora Stage at 11:50 p.m. Friday. The festival also boasts a deep bench of rising stars and genre-bending performers, from Slayyyter’s hyperpop to the XX’s moody indie rock, and from Devo’s new wave classics to Moby’s electronic anthems.
Weekend 2 set times have not yet been released, leaving fans to speculate whether Jack White’s surprise appearance will be repeated. As Variety points out, these late additions have sometimes been unique to one weekend, adding to the sense of urgency for those hoping to catch every moment.
Coachella 2026 runs from April 10-12 and April 17-19, drawing tens of thousands of fans to the Empire Polo Club in Indio. The festival’s reach extends far beyond the desert, with millions tuning in to livestreams around the world. Whether you’re a diehard festival-goer, a couch-bound music fan, or someone just curious about the spectacle, this year’s lineup offers something for everyone—surprises included.
With set times locked in, surprise acts revealed, and art installations ready to inspire, Coachella 2026 is primed to deliver another unforgettable chapter in the festival’s storied history.